Mission and Social Justice Distributes $51,000 in 2023

During 2023, the Mission and Social Justice Committee (MSJ) was privileged to make contributions totaling almost $51,000 to a variety of organizations and to programs of our denominations. We did this on behalf of, and thanks to the generosity of, this congregation.

These funds came from MSJ’s general budget, designated donations and special offerings.

The broad areas in which these funds were distributed were:

• Feeding the Hungry, including Hallie Q. Brown, Loaves and Fishes, and the Department of Indian Work Food Shelf (Interfaith Action).

• Sheltering the Homeless, including Habitat for Humanity and Urban Homeworks, a new recipient this year.

• Accompanying Refugees & Immigrants, which included funds used by our Immigrant Welcoming Committee, as well as organizations working on these issues locally and internationally. Jonathan House was a new recipient this year.

• Ecumenical & Interfaith Partnerships, which includes our support of ISAIAH.

• Global Mission Partners, supporting Tyler Holm and his family who serve in Malawi.

• Racial Justice & Indigenous Justice, in conjunction with those subcommittees. Note that significantly more funds were devoted to these issues this year than in prior years, and will be again in 2024.

• Creation Justice

These contributions continued to organizations we’ve supported for many years, as well as to a few new organizations. We responded to urgent current needs as they emerged, including funds to organizations responding to the crisis in Gaza: United Palestinian Appeal and Doctors Without Borders.

Each year, MSJ is grateful for the social justice stance of MPUC and the generosity of members in putting their money where their beliefs are. We are honored by your trust in our committee to distribute these funds