church in Independence, MO/St. Luke's United Church of Christ missions

The largest mission we support as a congregation is Our Church’s Wider Mission.

Our Church’s Wider Mission (OCWM) – Our church budget includes this important ministry of the United Church of Christ (UCC). Our congregation sends financial contributions from members every month to OCWM. OCWM gifts provide basic support for the funding of core programs of UCC national ministries and special support for specific mission opportunities through four special mission offerings of the UCC. OCWM gifts mean teaching and healing, sending missionaries overseas, working here in the U.S. toward justice and compassion for all people, and providing support for local congregations.

Our congregation participates in four special offerings of the UCC each year. Included are:

One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) – This special offering supports programs internationally for building sustainable communities, emergency relief and rehabilitation, and advocacy and resettlement for uprooted persons. OGHS also supports ministries both domestically and internationally for disaster preparedness and response.

The Christmas Fund (formerly Veterans of the Cross) – This offering is an expression of love and thanks to those who serve the United Church of Christ. This offering helps provde pension and health premium supplementation to low-income retirees, emergency assistance to clergy families in need and Christmas gift checks to hundreds of annuitants.

Neighbors in Need (NIN) – This offering supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

Strengthen the Church – This offering supports leadership for new church starts and revitalizing congregations, leadership development for the whole church, and programs for youth and young adults.

Our congregation supports the following organizations and missions through gifts from our Living Memorial Fund for Church Mission and individual gifts from members of the congregation.

Steppingstone – Steppingstone is a traditional living program for homeless and at-risk young men and women, ages 15 1/2 to 21, from throughout the Kansas City metro area. Besides providing a safe place to live, Steppingstone teaches the young people the vital educational, employment and life skills they will need to become productive, independent members of society.

Emmaus Homes – At Emmaus Homes in St. Charles and Marthasville, Missouri, adults with developmental disabilities find the services, support and care needed to reach their highest potential. The mission of Emmaus Homes, Inc. is to enhance the quality of life for people with mental retardation or other developmental disabilities through life experiences that enable growth and inclusion with each person’s chosen communities. Emmaus Homes, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit facility related to the United Church of Christ through the Council for Health and Human Service Ministries.

Blue Springs Terrace Pastor’s Home – This facility, located in Blue Springs, Missouri, provides housing for retired United Church of Christ and Disciples of Christ ministers and spouses. Gifts to the Terrace help to provide upkeep and beautification of the neighborhood.

Community Services League - Independence, Missouri – This organization strives to promote self-sufficiency and provide resources to those in need. St. Luke’s provides monetary support as well as contributes regularly to the food pantry. This year St. Luke’s is also supporting the I Share program which provides utility assistance through CSL.

Mission Trips - St. Luke’s Youth traveled to La Foret Camp in Colorado Springs, Colorado in June, 2006 for a week long mission trip. They assisted the Salvation Army in Colorado Springs and also worked in the Care & Share Food Pantry. The Youth Group traveled to Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, Mississippi in July, 2008. They helped with Katrina recovery efforts and painted two houses during their mission trip. For more information on Back Bay Mission, click here. In July, 2010, the Youth traveled to Tennessee to work with needy families in Appalachia. They worked with the Morgan-Scott project. For more information, click here. In July, 2012 the youth and their leaders went on a mission trip to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. They worked with the Re-Member organization. For more information,click here. In July, 2014 the youth and their sponsors traveled to Heifer Ranch in Perryville, Arkansas for a week long mission trip where they learned about hunger and poverty around the world. In July, 2017 they returned and worked at the Morgan-Scott Project in Tennesse.In July, 2018, the Youth stayed at St. Luke's for a week and did service projects at Habitat for Humanity and George Owens Park, visited shut-ins, made and distributed sandwiches at the bus stop, and reorganized the kitchen at St. Luke's. In 2019, the Youth did a WayFinding week together at the Lake of the Ozarks. They studied Proverbs and explored how to make life decisions.