The Southwest Conference is inviting all SWC congregations to join this campaign that will run from Ash Wednesday through Easter Sunday.
For every $1 raised, $100 of medical debt can be abolished. $10 abolishes $1000 of medical debt. $10,000 wipes out $1 million. Let’s raise $15,000 to abolish $1.5 million!
The members of Executive Board have pledged over $1000 to kick this off. That’s already $94,000 of medical debt that can be wiped out for individuals, veterans, and families in Arizona, New Mexico, El Paso, and the Navajo Nation. Our funds will meet the needs of our neighbors right here in the SWC.
Will your congregation participate? Let us know you’re in so we can add your church to the list of participants.
Here’s how to donate:
Write a check to Southwest Conference UCC with “medical debt” in the memo line
Donate online here, and designate your contribution as “medical debt” in the comment field.
For more information and background, read the RIP Medical Debt brochure.
Read a letter that is similar to one that will be sent to debtors whose medical bills we’ll abolish.
UPDATE: This just in from John Riddle at Desert Garden UCC:
"Last week our Church Council strongly endorsed our participation in this effort, so count us in. We will be having an article in our monthly newsletter, Oasis, next week about Desert Garden's participation. We are encouraging our members to each give $1/day for each day of Lent.
Some are indicating they plan to give more than that. We are excited about the program and pray that a significant number of congregations will join the conference's effort."
Participating churches (we update this list as churches notify us):
Encanto Community Church
Congregational Church of the Valley
Desert Garden UCC
Shadow Rock UCC
Scottsdale Congregational UCC
Church of the Painted Hills UCC
First Congregational UCC Albuquerque
West Congregational UCC
Desert Palm UCC
The Good Shepherd UCC
Shepherd of the Hills