United Church of Christ Cornerstone Fund Response to Current Events
When Caring Is Not Enough
We have all been jolted by the fact that it’s no longer enough to simply say that we care about all people, regardless of race, creed, color, or orientation. It’s no longer enough to say that systemic racism is deplorable. It’s no longer enough to say, “I’m just one person…what can I possibly do?” When something is systemic, it’s time to change the system. And maybe because we are in the middle of a global pandemic, it actually seems possible to change the system—but not without a lot of hard work.
Educate. Act. Love. I don’t know about you, but we’re up for the challenge. At the United Church of Christ Cornerstone Fund, we have always been about building community—true community. Whether it’s tearing down balconies, building food pantries, or caring for children, we engage in projects that are aimed at building Community where all are treated with equal justice.
Maria C. Coyne, President & CEO
Executive Committee, Board of Directors
Beth Walker, Esq., Chair, Rev. Shari Prestemon, Daniel D. Dubree, V. Brian Magnone, Rev. Thomas E. Dipko
Pandemic Relief Loan Program for Select Conferences
The United Church of Christ Cornerstone Fund has partnered with participating Conferences and the National Setting of the denomination to offer a low-cost financing program, specifically designed for churches.
While the Cornerstone Fund offers other financing options (secured and unsecured lines of credit and mortgage loans), the Pandemic Relief Program is specifically designed to meet the immediate cash flow needs that congregations need as congregants face unemployment and ministries face virtual environments – all leading to a potential reduction in giving and cash flow. Contact your Conference to see if it is participating Conference in this loan program (application deadline is July 15, 2020).
Competitive rates on fixed-income investment options.
As you may know, investments with the United Church of Christ Cornerstone Fund are both faith-based and socially responsible. In today’s highly volatile market, it is also important to have a diversified investment portfolio. By providing fixed-income investments in the form of term notes, the Cornerstone Fund offers congregations the opportunity to secure their dollars at a competitive rate of interest. Click here to see current investment rates, with the opportunity to fully complete an investment application, online.
Resources to support a church’s financial health.
As an affiliated ministry of the denomination, we certainly recognize the impact that COVID-19 is likely to have on weekly giving within the church. If you have not already done so, we strongly encourage you to set-up and publish online giving for your congregation, encouraging your membership to not only participate in an online weekly offering, but to set-up their accounts with recurring giving, using Paypal, EasyTithe, Tithe.ly, Givelify, and/or Pushpay, among others. Encourage all forms of giving, from online to an app to text to a check that is mailed.
We also encourage you to watch this on-demand webinar: The New World of Church Stewardship: From Offering Plates to Online Giving.
Now, more than ever, it is important to institute best practices for a financially healthy congregation. We encourage you to watch this webinar, so that you are optimizing your church’s operating dollars during this time of uncertainty. Additionally, we’re providing this free download of our Financial Toolkit, that fully captures these best practices, including the important role of your church treasurer.
