Mission Ministries

CARING

for people & the environment

Vine is committed to caring for those in and around our community and beyond. These are a few ways that Vine cares and shares.

Local Outreach

Branching Out - Monthly

Vine’s Branching Out ministry mission is to reach out to those in need in the Lincoln community. On a monthly basis, we partner with a different local non-profit organization and host a collection drive.

Some non-profit organizations we have supported include:

City Mission Help Center

Friendship Home
ConnectioN Point (Open Shelf Pantry & Career Closet)
The Hub –Young Adults
Lincoln Hygiene Network
Pine Ridge Indian Center
Pieloch Pet Adoption Center & Capital Humane Society
Shelter Me Nebraska

Branching Out - Ongoing

These small ministries make a big difference! To donate, please place items in the appropriate collection container on the shelves just inside the fellowship hall or the narthex. Please feel free to drop off donations any time.

Pantry - Stock the Shelves! Ongoing collection of non-perishable food items and basic need items. All donations go to the Open Shelf Pantry at ConnectioN Point. The list of most needed items is posted on the bulletin board in the narthex.

Eyeglasses: Donate your used glasses, including sunglasses, reading glasses, and cases. Items are donated to the Lions club. 100% of public donations to Lions clubs are used for charitable causes.

Personal Care Items: Collecting unused, unopened, and unexpired personal care travel size items and toiletries. These items are donated to the Open Shelf Pantry at ConnectioN Point.

Other Mission Giving

Disaster Relief

We collect special offerings as the need arises to assist communities, churches and individuals affected by flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes, and other natural disaster in the U.S. and abroad.

Through the UCC Disaster Relief Ministries, we participated in the following appeals:

Hurricane Ian and Fiona (Florida) Disaster Relief
Turkey and Syria Earthquake Disaster Relief
Ukraine Support
Middle East Support

Pastor Discretionary Fund

The Pastor’s Discretionary Fund is a pass-through fund supported by donations from church members. This fund is used to provide financial aid to families or individuals in the church or wider community.

National & Global Outreach

5-for-5

The success and sustainability of the United Church of Christ’s national ministries relies on church’s contribution to basic operating support and mission. Vine Church provides support to the UCC National ministries. These include:

OCWM (Our Church's Wider Mission) Basic Support – provides funding for conferences and the national ministries of the UCC.

One Great Hour of Sharing – supports the disaster, refugee, and development ministries of the UCC within Wider Church Ministries.

Strengthen the Church – supports the expansion of ministry and growth of UCC local congregations.

Neighbors in Need – supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the U.S.

The Christmas Fund – helps provide pension and health premium supplementation to low-income retired church workers and emergency assistance to clergy families in need.

Environmental

Environmental Stewardship of God’s creation is a central mission of our congregation. We are stewards of God’s Creation, and we need to take a lead role in restoring and protecting the environment. In fact, we are commanded to keep and care for the earth (Genesis 2:15).

Following are some ways we work together for the environment:

Vine's Creation Action Network (CAN) - Learn More
Cool Congregation - Learn More
Pollinator Garden - Learn More
Recycling Program – paper, cardboard, cans, plastics, and other items