Weekly Insights into generosity, Conference finances, and being stronger together. |
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The UCC tops $71.2 Million in Medical Debt Relief
... and Counting!!
written by Connie Larkman
Published by UCC News on October 18, 2021
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The United Church of Christ, collaboratively, has now wiped out more than $71.2 million in medical debt in a little more than two years.
Through a partnership with the New York-based nonprofit RIP Medical Debt, the church has bought up debt for pennies on the dollar in every one of the UCC’s six geographical regions.
Add $3.6 million to that, with an eighth buy now on the books. Eleven churches of the Southwest Conference abolished that debt in eight Arizona counties, benefiting an additional 1,559 families.
And, as the effort continues through 2021, a half dozen new buys are in process. Among them:
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“Our Conferences and churches have been the catalyst for this movement toward medical debt relief for so many families in our regions,” said the Rev. Traci Blackmon, associate general minister. “Because of their commitment and generosity, we’ve topped $71 million in relief for 53,279 families. It’s mind-blowing, and a faithful reminder of what WE can accomplish when we work together.”
“The national setting wants to continue to partner with and contribute to as many medical debt abolishment efforts from the wider church as possible until this campaign closes on Dec. 15, 2021,” Blackmon said. “Even after then, we expect some churches and conferences may continue to make a difference this way on their own and we celebrate that continuing journey!”
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The United Church of Christ may not be a large denomination, but as one church, it has become RIP’s largest faith-based partner.
“The UCC is leading the charge in faith-based abolishment and will likely continue to do so,” said Darby Drucker, associate director of development for RIP Medical Debt, noting the buys in the works.
“Together,” [Rev. Sekinah Hamlin] said, “We can do great things.”
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$7070 Raised for Medical Debt after Week 3! |
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Today marks the end of the official third week of the Illinois Conference "$10 Million in 10 Weeks" Medical Debt Relief Campaign. As of today, we have raised $7070 from a mixture of church and individual donors. This amount equals a total of $70,700 in medical debt that will be erased for folks in need!
There are still SEVEN WEEKS remaining in our 10 week campaign, and we know that TOGETHER, we can reach our goal and help to abolish $10 MILLION in medical debt by the end of our campaign on December 10th.
We are STRONGER TOGETHER! Thanks for helping us lift the burden of medical debt off the backs of folks in need.
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Illinois Conference
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Who we are
The Illinois Conference of the United Church
of Christ is made up of all of the churches, members, clergy and covenant partners
affiliated with the United Church of Christ
in the northern half of Illinois.
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THE ILLINOIS CONFERENCE UCC Money Matters - a weekly conversation about money and ministry in the Illinois Conference UCC is published by the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ, 1840 Westchester Blvd., Suite 200, Westchester, IL 60154. The Rev. Molly Carlson, Conference Minister; Sarah Lohrbach, Editor. Copy may be sent to: SarahLohrbach@ilucc.org.
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