Microlending

Over 15 years ago, The York Association became involved in microlending. Hayshire joined the mission in 2009, and since has contributed to three Trust Groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, three in Kenya, and one each in Uganda, Tanzania and Malawi for a total of nine Trust Groups.

Each Trust Group consists of 20 to 25 adults, thus helping 20 or more families provide roofs and floors for their homes, an opportunity to establish a saving account for emergencies, funds to send their children to school and often create jobs for others in their community.

Our Church's Wider Mission

Our church has been designated as a 5 for 5 church by the United Church of Christ for fully supporting Our Church's Wider Mission (OCWM) and all four special mission offerings. Our OCWM support provides funding for conferences and national ministries of the UCC, and the special mission offerings sponsor vital ministries that bring hope to people in our nation and around the world. 

Our Special Mission Offerings:
One great hour of sharing
This offering, taken on the fourth Sunday of Lent, channels resources for international programs in health, education and agricultural development, emergency relief, refugee ministries, and both international and domestic disaster response, administered by Wider Church Ministries, Global Sharing of Resources.
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​With a special focus on filling critical gaps in communities where long-term needs persist, UCC Disaster Ministries’ support extends beyond simply immediate assistance and the coverage of news stations.

​Along with working through our churches, conferences and volunteer Conference Disaster Coordinators, we maintain strategic partnerships and direct relationships with organizations and faith communities engaged in disaster response in more than 125 countries. Through this work thousands of disaster survivors receive dignified support and relief annually.

In 2018, 421 volunteers restored 86 hurricane-battered homes in four US states and territories under the United Church of Christ auspices! That means safety and security for 86 families that survived Matthew, Harvey, Irma, and Maria.
Neighbors in need
This offering, taken on the first Sunday in October, supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the US, including the Council for American Indian Ministries, justice and advocacy, and direct service projects supported by Justice and Local Church Ministries. 
Strengthen the church
This offering, taking on Pentecost Sunday, helps to reimagine and build the future of the UCC. Shared at the conference and national levels, STC largely supports youth ministries and full-time leaders for new churches in parts of the country where the UCC does not have a strong presence. It also provides support for existing church's new initiatives. 
The Christmas fund
This offering, taken the Sunday before Christmas helps provide pension and health premium supplementation to low-income retired church workers, emergency assistance to clergy families in need, and Christmas checks to hundreds of annuitants, as administered by the Pension Boards.

Church World Services Blankets

Through your generous donations, we are able to sponsor blankets through Church World Service. Our blanket donations provide warmth and shelter to those in need in our country and around the world, including those who have been affected by natural disasters, who are homeless, and who are fleeing their countries to find safety.
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This year, blanket Sunday at Hayshire will be on Sunday, May 12.