August is Write-a-Will month, a time we as members of the United Church of Christ (UCC) are encouraged to not only reflect on our commitments in life but consider the impact we can have in death.
Let me share my personal journey. I came to the UCC in 1999 because I was vocationally homeless. My previous faith community would not fully receive my gifts as a female minister. And so, you, the UCC, welcomed me with open arms, Over the years, we’ve been getting into a lot of good trouble. Woohoo!
When deciding what financial legacy my husband and I would leave behind, I immediately thought of the UCC. The church has served as a home to my ministry, and even though my husband does not attend church, he honors the difference the UCC makes in our world and in my life. We included gifts as a percentage of our estate to the National Ministries, to the Conferences and congregations I’ve served, and to the Antoinette Brown Society in honor of future female ministers.
Like us, many of you have been positively impacted by the United Church of Christ. Can you join us in making a commitment in your estate plans to support the settings of the Church that touched your heart?
Let’s consider how we can continue impacting lives long after we’re gone by including UCC in our wills.
My husband and I treasure the way we will continue to make a difference in the world long after we have died because of our planned giving to wonderful organizations like the United Church of Christ. Woohoo! Blessings to you in your own planned giving discernment. Woohoo!
August 28 – 3 Best Practices for Stewardship in CongregationsWe will discuss the three practices most likely to increase giving in a local congregation: teaching about generosity, pastoral leadership, and online giving options. The webinar will examine why these practices matter and discuss how to implement them in a congregation. Register for 3 Best Practices Oct. 23 – End the Year Strong: Making the Most of Year End Giving November and December can be the strongest months for giving in charities. How can we make the most of this generous time in our culture? The conversation will lift up ideas and messages to promote giving to congregations.Register for End the Year Strong
Year-Round Stewardship Resource
Promoting generosity throughout the year is the best way to teach giving and generate financial support for your ministry and mission. “Imagine Together” is a year-round stewardship resource with practical tools, sermon and worship guides, and faith formation activities for all ages. Learn more at www.uccresources.com/generosity.
From: Pinellas County <noreply@everbridge.net> Date: August 9, 2024 at 4:27:12 PM EDT Subject:Resources for Hurricane Debby Survivors
This is an important message from the Pinellas County Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
Partners,
Please share the following resources with those in your networks. If there are services that are needed which are not listed here, call 2-1-1.
Crisis Cleanup Hotline
If you need help cleaning up damage from Tropical Storm Debby, call (844) 965-1386 or visit crisiscleanup.org to ask for help. Volunteer relief organizations will contact you. The volunteers are from trained teams, community groups and faith communities. They may be able to help with flood damage on your property, tarping and yard debris. All services are free but service is not guaranteed. The hotline will remain open through Friday, Aug. 23. Please note: This hotline CANNOT assist with social services such as food, clothing, shelter, insurance or questions about public assistance. For more information visit crisiscleanup.org.
PLEASE SHARE THE ATTACHED FLYER ON CRISIS CLEANUP WITH YOUR MEMBERS, CLIENTS AND NETWORKS! WE HAVE ACTIVE TEAMS WORKING IN PINELLAS COUNTY COMMUNITIES AND THEY WANT TO HELP EVERYONE THAT THEY CAN.
Report Damages
Pinellas County is documenting flood damages to apply for potential state and federal emergency assistance. We need individuals and businesses to report damages to ensure all damage is accounted for.
Disaster survivors with any disaster-related legal issues may reach out to the Florida Disaster Legal Aid Helpline to apply for free, legal assistance from anywhere in the state. Call (833) 514-2940 to apply for assistance.
Supplies
Clean-up kits and other supplies may be available. Email VOAD@pinellas.gov if you know of anyone who was impacted by Hurricane Debby who needs them.
Last month, the Governor signed a compensation bill for the survivors of the Dozier School for Boys, recognizing the longstanding effects of the brutal abuse and torture they suffered there. This month, the Governor decided to execute one of them. Loran Cole is set to be executed on August 29 at 6 pm.
Ironically, I was on the phone with one of my death row clients yesterday when he witnessed the Warden and his assistants – dressed in their formal white pressed uniforms – march past the room where we were talking. When he told me that, my heart sunk. I knew that likely could mean only one thing – the guards were about to tell one of the 100 plus warrant eligible men on Florida’s death row that he is going to die in 30 days. They were going to remove that man from his cell, lead him down the hall, walk him past his neighbors and likely his only friends, and take him to a death watch cell, for him to count down his final days. Alone. When the death warrant hit the news a couple hours later, my worst fears were confirmed.
Interestingly, that same day, just a few hours before, the FADP team had been elated to learn about the release of a podcast where former Governor Jeb Bush, who oversaw 21 executions while he was governor, had an honest conversation where he expressed “regrets” dealing with the death penalty, not only because of its moral implications, but because of the legal problems with the system, including non-unanimous juries. Former Governor Bush called the death penalty “not a deterrent,” “expensive,” and that life in prison without parole “creates certainty for families who have suffered.” “If you have a life imprisonment sentence, you know it’s done.” We urge you to listen and share.
The juxtaposition of these two things is not lost on me.
What do I need from you? We need you to sign and share this petition urging the Governor and Clemency Board to stay Mr. Cole’s execution and grant clemency.
From June 1, 1984 through November 14, 1984, 17-year-old Loran Cole was housed at the notorious Arthur G. Dozier School in Marianna, Florida. His status as a “White House Boy,” and the neglect, abuse, and trauma he experienced there changed the entire trajectory of his life, and led to the commission of this crime. As Mr. Cole’s attorneys aptly wrote, “That horrible place helped create the Loran Cole who sits on death row today.”
Over the next few days and weeks, we will be providing you with information and actions for you to take as soon as possible. We have 30 days to do as much as we can to ensure we stop this execution.
Stay with us. We need you, your voice, and your strength. Mr. Cole needs you. We need each other. We need to stand against all state-sanctioned murders and say “Not in My Name.”
Onward, Maria DeLiberato FADP Executive Director
P.S. We have a goal of raising $25,000 before the end of the year. If you are able, we ask that you please consider a generous gift today so that we can continue fighting against the machinery of death.
Lakewood United Church of Christ 