United Church of Christ Disabilities Ministries
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (September 7, 2015)
UCCDM Contact:
Secretary@uccdm.org
UCCDM REACHES $100,000 MILESTONE
The United Church of Christ Disability Ministries Board (UCCDM) is excited to announce that they have reached the first fundraising goal of $100,000 to fund The Virginia Kreyer Endowed Scholarship Fund for persons with disabilities called to authorized ministry in the United Church of Christ. Student applicants with disabilities and/or mental health concerns seeking ordination, licensed, or commissioned ministry will be awarded scholarship assistance beginning in 2016. Application information will become available later in the fall.
This scholarship honors the life, struggles, and work of the Rev. Virginia Kreyer. Born with Cerebral Palsy, Virginia experienced a call from God to ministry and answered that call. A graduate of Union Theological Seminary and ordained by the American Baptist Church, she struggled with not receiving a call from a local parish. In 1967, she joined Garden City UCC in New York and began organizing a committee concerned with issues around disability and the church. She brought a resolution to the New York Conference and then took it to the General Synod. Virginia was the first consultant to the committee which became the UCCDM. We are so grateful for the gifts of this “feisty” woman and the mission and ministry she nurtured, supported, and empowered.
The Second Hundred campaign has begun and there are various ways to donate. First, donations can be sent directly to Ms Pat Lyden, Associate Director, Grant and Scholarship Administration, United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue East, Cleveland, OH 44115. Second, October 11, 2015 is Accessibility Sunday, celebrated throughout the United Church of Christ. Churches are encouraged to take a special offering for the Kreyer Fund that day and send it to the above address. Finally, donate through either the UCC.org or uccdm.org. Although donors “land” on a page that appears to be exclusively for the UCC Annual Fund, page 2 of the donor form allows donors to designate the special offering or scholarship fund the donation is for. No matter how a donor chooses to give, please be sure to indicate the Kreyer Scholarship Fund on checks, cover letters, or on the online form.
