Our MISSION ENDOWMENT FUND (MEF) was established by Servants of Christ in December 1994 to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ beyond our church building. The congregation recognized that Christian financial stewardship involves the faithful management of all the financial gifts God has given to us. This includes not only tithes and offerings of our weekly incomes, but also our accumulated, inherited and appreciated resources. Besides the weekly offerings of our congregation, contributions to the MEF may include, but are not limited to, the gifting of real property, securities, charitable gift annuities and trusts.
Our MEF is a distinct and separate fund from our general operating fund, and is designed to be a perpetual resource for mission & outreach activities of Servants of Christ congregation. Currently, 5% of the value of the MEF is distributed annually to assist our various Mission & Outreach partners with their ministries. By God's grace, the MEF has shown consistent growth since its inception, and our vision to have a net asset value of $1 million is always in view.
Our MISSION PARTNERS for the 2006-2007 budget year include these organizations and activities, in addition to our regular support for the ELCA and its Indiana-Kentucky Synod:
Local:
CAFE - The "Community Alliance of the Far Eastside" is a regional helping organization co-founded by a member of Servants of Christ; it distributes food and clothing, provides family assistance, offers crisis counseling, and supports community development in Lawrence Township. www.cafeindy.org
Circle of Hope & Friends Fellowship - Local ministries that bring the good news of Jesus Christ to women in prison, and help families in need of housing assistance, co-founded and supported by members of Servants of Christ.
Lamb of God Lutheran Church, Indianapolis - Lamb of God congregation is our newest Lutheran mission start in Marion County, a multi-cultural fellowship in the northwest quarter of the city. www.lambofgodchurch79.org
Pre-seminary student scholarship - SOC has provided support for many students who are preparing for full-time ministry vocations. Daniel Hendon, a member of one of our own SOC families, is our recipient this year; he is preparing for a calling in urban Christian ministry.
Regional:
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis - In both 2006 and 2007 our congregation is participating hands-on in the construction of new homes for families here in our community. www.indyhabitat.org
Indianapolis Conference, ELCA - Working together with fellow Lutherans in central Indiana, we support youth programs, outreach, mission development, and continuing education for clergy and laity. www.indplsconf-elca.org
Lutheran Child & Family Services / Lutherwood / The Sharing Place - LCFS is a 120+ year-old church-related agency that provides youth rehabilitation, family support, adoption services, counseling, and emergency assistance. www.lutheranfamily.org
The Pilgrimage Center - Our regional Lutheran center for individual and family pastoral counseling is located on North Meridian Street. www.imcpl.org
Wheeler Mission's Hebron Center - The Hebron Center is a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program near Bloomington sponsored by our local center for ministry with the urban homeless population. www.wmm.org
National / International:
Bethlehem Lutheran Church, New Orleans - In the aftermath of the Hurricane Katrina disaster, SOC has joined other Indianapolis congregations in providing help to a sister congregation in the hard-hit Garden District of New Orleans.
ELCA Military Chaplaincy programs - We support our pastors who minister in chaplaincy posts with those in military service, both in the US and in crisis spots around the globe. www.elca.org/federalchaplains/Military.html
ELCA World Hunger Appeal - Improving the lives of people in need in the US and around the world by: providing immediate relief for people affected by chronic hunger and poverty; assisting communities through long-term, sustainable development to help alleviate chronic hunger and poverty; advocating for justice; and educating members of the ELCA in issues relating to hunger and poverty. www.elca.org/hunger/
Lutheran Disability Ministries - LDM is headquartered at a retreat center in nearby Anderson, Indiana and reaches out widely to educate and equip congregations to engage in active ministry with persons who have developmental disabilities. www.ldminc.org
Mission Trips - Our congregation supports our own SOC Youth Group as they reach out with the love of Jesus Christ to others, both in our community and elsewhere.