December 2015

Dear Committee on Ministry colleagues,
 
This Christmas, give the gift of a scholarship application to your Members in Discernment (MIDs)!
 
Ministry education scholarships in the United Church of Christ have recently been reviewed and streamlined in order to better support Members in Discernment. The oversight of ministry education scholarships is handled by the Office of Philanthropy & Stewardship in the National Offices, with information online at www.ucc.org/scholarships.
 
Members in Discernment may apply for the Brown Endowment Scholarship and one other UCC Ministry Education Scholarship per year. Information about the various ministry education scholarships is provided online. Scholarship applications will open on January 1st, 2016 and are due on March 1st, 2016. Applications are not complete until all required items are received, including the online application, transcripts, and references.
 
In a significant change for 2016, all applications are completed online; mailed, hand-delivered, shipped, emailed, or faxed applications, references and transcripts will not be accepted. The streamlined Scholarship & Grant award system increases efficiency for applicants, recommenders and evaluators; establishes consistent practices; and improves communication.
 
The United Church of Christ provides a wealth of scholarships. Help Members in Discernment connect to these abundant gifts by forwarding this edition of COMma to your MIDs and encouraging them to apply.
 
Thank you, and many blessings for Christmas,
Rachel Hackenberg

The Rev. Rachel G. Hackenberg
Minister for Committee on Ministry Resources & Conference Support
Ministerial Excellence, Support & Authorization (MESA) Team
Local Church Ministries, United Church of Christ
ucc.org/ministers