Benevolence: The disposition to do good; good will kindness; charitableness; the love, of mankind, accompanied with a desire to promote their happiness.
It is the duty of the Board of Benevolences (BoB) to: supervise, promote, and interpret the benevolences activities of this church; promote representation of the Church members in decision-making bodies of the denominational and ecumenical agencies to which funds are given; and advise the Board of Trustees in the most effective use of benevolences resources by presenting a budget at the time designated by the Board of Trustees.
Questions about BoB may be directed to Annette Weeber, BoB Chairperson.
Overview of the Special Offering Program
Four times a year, Plymouth Church conducts a special offering collection where the funds are designated to provide services to recipients outside of the Church. This collection is comprised of collection plate cash, checks, or envelopes marked for the Special Offering and on-line or mailed donations “marked” for the Special Offering. The four Special Offering collections occur with Church services for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and One Great Hour of Sharing.
One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) collection is in-coordination with UCC’s OGHS but Plymouth Church may pick a different service weekend for this collection. These funds go toward “missions” and “those in-need” selected by the national UCC initiative.
Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter collections go to Des Moines metro area initiatives meeting Plymouth’s Just Peace mission, ones that target social and economic justice issues. From each of these three collections 10% is given to Plymouth’s Good Samaritan Fund; and, funds are set-aside to meet Plymouth’s commitment to serve meals at Central Iowa Shelter & Services and the trailer rent used by the Furniture Pick-up team. The remainder of the collection, by percentage, is given to initiatives located in Des Moines metro area and serving clients in the Des Moines metro area. This area is inclusive of Ankeny, Altoona, Bondurant, Clive, Des Moines, Grimes, Johnston, Pleasant Hill, Waukee, West Des Moines, Windsor Heights, Urbandale, and all of Polk County.
Special Offering Application/Request for Proposal
The Easter Special Offering application period has closed. It is anticipated the next Special Offering application period will open in October.
Donations may be made to Plymouth’s Easter Special collection online here. If you donate online, be sure to select “Easter Offering” in the dropdown menu. If you’re giving by cash or check, please indicate “Easter Offering.” Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
