Central Congregational Church Receives Neighbors in Need Grant

Central Congregational Church in Topeka, Kansas, is a recent recipient of a Neighbors in Need grant from the United Church of Christ. Neighbors in Need (NIN) is a special mission offering of the United Church of Christ that supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. The grants fund projects whose work ranges from direct service to community organizing and advocacy to address systemic injustice.

Reverend Gage Church, Pastor at Central, as well as lay leader Eve Kendall requested that the Conference write a letter on behalf of the congregation as they sought a NIN grant for 2021. For several years, Central has helped their congregation to live out their mission to justice ministry through membership in Topeka Justice and Unity Ministry Project (JUMP). Central has participated in JUMP for 8 years. The organization is a coalition of 31 faith communities pursuing systemic change in Shawnee County, Kansas through local policy and funding changes. Their mission is to provide a powerful vehicle for marginalized groups in Shawnee County to fight for justice.

One current focus of JUMP has been payday loan reform campaign. The goal of the campaign is to stop the vicious cycle of debt caused by payday loans with state legislation that changes the rules making the product fairer for borrowers.

JUMP is training members of Topeka congregations and others to carry out the work of this vital justice ministry. If it wasn't for JUMP, Central would have had no systemic way to address the core issues of the community and they would not have the network of relationships across the community represented in JUMP.

In writing her letter of support, Conference Minister Edith Guffey encouraged the National Setting of the United Church of Christ to support the collaboration between Topeka JUMP and Central Congregational Church. On December 7th, Central was awarded a $2,500 grant that will help them obtain the necessary resources they need to continue organizing in their communities.

Grants are frequently offered by the National Setting for local churches to utilize. If you have an idea that could be sparked through a partnership with the Kansas-Oklahoma Conference and the National Setting, let us know. The Conference exists to help empower and equip congregations to do this important work in their communities.

Congratulations, Central!