Greetings Arizona Churches!
In the fall of 2016, after dialogue between representatives across the denomination, the Board of Directors adopted refreshed purpose, vision and mission statements for the United Church of Christ.
3 Great Loves is a denomination wide initiative to live out our purpose, vision, and mission and is a witness to our collective efforts in making a more just world for all as God's hands and feet. Beginning at Synod 2017 and ending at Synod 2019, through the lens of the 3 Great Loves, the UCC in its many settings of ministry will discern and lift up how we act upon our Love of God in and through these 3 Great Loves; Love of Neighbor, Love of Children, and Love of Creation. As we do so, we will tell the story of how we are impacting and transforming the world as covenantal partners united in common purpose, vision, and mission.
We are asking that you tell your story. You are already doing and being the Love of God. Let us, together, share the stories of our ministry and together see the extraordinary ways God is transforming the world into a more just place through us.
On the UCC.com website there is an area to tell our stories and a 3 Great Loves Story Form to guide us along in telling our stories. There is also a TOOLBOX to assist the churches in reporting and representing the 3 Great Loves. If you have any questions, please let me know. I am happy to help tell your stories. Please check out the stories that are being told now. http://3greatloves.uccpages.org/
A great way to highlight the 3 Great Loves on Social Media is with the use of the hashtag (#). If you post something that has to do with Love of Neighbor, Love of Creation, or Love of Children use the following hashtags.
#3GreatLoves #3GLNeighbor #3GLCreation #3GLChildren
We do not need to create any new ministries per se, but look around and see what we are already doing in our churches and communities that speak to the 3 Great Loves initiative. Also, idea sharing can benefit churches in so many different ways. What works for you as a smaller church may work for another small church on the other side of the country.
Will you join the 3 Great Loves Ambassador, Rev. Dave Sigmund, and the Conference Coordinators in getting our stories out?
If you have any questions, please let me know.
Blessings to you this Easter Season!
Debby Stinton
Editors note: Wendy Spurgeon is the 3GL Coordinator for New Mexico churches.