On Sunday, Oct. 27 First United Church of Christ, Salisbury held its annual Foundation Sunday. Greg Alcorn, chair of the First UCC Foundation Board, called the Foundation a “ministry supporting mission.”

The Foundation began in 1996 with significant gifts from the congregation that totaled $100,000. The next year the first Foundation gifts were distributed to church and non-profit groups within the Salisbury community. That first year the gifts totaled around $3,000.

This past Sunday the First UCC Foundation distributed gifts totaling over $65,000 and overall since its founding, the Foundation has handed out gifts approaching $1 million dollars.

The Foundation helps First UCC expand its ministry to the community by being a good neighbor to many of the organizations that are struggling to provide services for those in need in Salisbury. Some of the organizations that received financial gifts include Family Crisis Council, Rowan One Church, One Child, and Meals on Wheels of Rowan County.

The First UCC Foundation also provides support for denominationally related organizations like John’s River Valley Camp, United Church Homes and Services as well as Lancaster Seminary (A United Church of Christ Seminary, in Lancaster, Pa.), as well as The Lilly Center for Vocation and Values at Catawba College.

The First United Church of Christ Foundation provides gifts for in church missions and ministries as well. All together gifts were given to 33 different groups and organizations.
Greg Alcorn sees this Foundation “not as a business, but rather (we hope that) the economic multiplier effect will occur in our community. Helping one more person or a worthy cause advancing one more step.”

— Submitted