Ohio Conference
United Church of Christ 

Four Grants Awarded by
Racial Ethnic Empowerment Committee
November 2007

Denison Avenue UCC in Cleveland was awarded $9,906 to provide funding for congregational development focusing on worship and outreach. It is part of a larger set of initiatives that include meeting basic human needs (Food Pantry program), youth programs, art and culture programs, and justice ministries.

First St. John UCC, Hamilton, Ohio, was granted $2,300 to provide continuation funding of instructor compensation for a Youth Empowerment and Leadership Ministry.

The congregation of First St. John UCC is currently in the redevelopment process. Our mission is to be a community where all are accepted and God's nourishing love is lived and shared. We are a white congregation situated in a neighborhood which has the highest density of low income African Americans in Butler County. Our target audience is children who have a likelihood of perpetuating a culture of minimal education, early parenthood, low paying jobs, and dependence on government subsidies.

Children and youth will become leaders and in turn mentors through our martial arts classes. Certified instructors are leading classes of approximately 15 students 2 times per week in our social room. Students are learning compassion, respect, self worth, perseverance, anger management, focus, etc. As they achieve their goals, they will move to a higher level. At level 3, they learn to pass on what has been given to them by raising funds for new students. Our congregation will facilitate this phase. Paying back/passing on blessings allows for program growth at a reduced cost.

Miller Avenue UCC, Akron was awarded $10,000 for continuation funding of Service in Mission and Mission Church development.  

The Summit Lake neighborhood is a declining neighborhood which has evolved into a community with a high percentage of residents living below the poverty level, a high percentage of the population is African-American, and an increasing percentage of the housing is non-owner occupied. Former members of Miller Avenue Church were representative of white, middle-class America, who had already determined a closing date when the Eastern Ohio Association chose to re-classify Miller as a mission church.  Attempts to build community and draw the community in transition to Miller Avenue Church have centered around increased pastoral presence, expanded Vacation Bible School (in 2007, 50-60 attendees, overwhelmingly African-American), and an improved, enhanced meal program (Lunch on Us and fifth-Sunday afternoon worship and meal).

Grant funds would be utilized to supplement current income to cover general facilities and personnel costs, as well as to implement new initiatives and enhance existing ones.

Current funding for basic needs such as pastor’s salary and normal church overhead costs are in jeopardy. New funds to supplement cash and in-kind donations are of critical concern.

Mt. Zion Congregational Church UCC, Cleveland, was granted $10,000 for continuation funding of the salary for the Youth Pastor leading the Youth in Action Ministry (YIAM).  Rev. Stephen Darryl Mullen is totally committed to supporting, nurturing and training young people for responsible discipleship. He spends countless hours working with the youth of Mt. Zion and the community. He has gathered a group of committed adults who support this ministry as youth advisors. Together we have been blessed to change the lives of some of our youth who are at risk.

Racial Ethnic Empowerment Committee