About Good Works

The "Good Works Program" is intended to provide an organized way for brethren to help others (primarily those in the Church) who face unusual, emergency situations that could not be anticipated or budgeted for. The intent of the program is to make these situations known to the Church, and to coordinate the distribution of funds that are raised by congregations or groups in fund-raising efforts.

We do not ask that tithes and offerings be directed to this program, for the reasons given above. Instead, if individuals, congregations, or groups within a congregation wish to engage in special fund-raising efforts (for example, car washes, garage sales, candy or fruit sales, etc.), and dedicate some or all of the proceeds of those efforts for one or more special needs that arise and are publicized as "Good Works Projects" by the Church (via the Church's Web site), then those funds should be sent in a separate check to the home office.

The coordinator will see to it that they are then passed along to the appropriate designees. Once sufficient funds for a particular project or need are received and passed along, that project will be removed from the Web site.

To make this program work smoothly, we ask that the following steps be followed by those wishing to help.

1. Read the list of projects listed on this page.

2. Discuss fund-raising efforts with the local pastor.

3. Engage in the fund-raising efforts, and make it clear that the effort is separate from tithes and offerings.

4. Send a check to the home office (payable to "United Church of God") to the attention of "Lena VanAusdle, Coordinator of Good Works Program," indicating the project or projects that the funds were dedicated to. Please indicate in a note that accompanies the check that any surplus funds (over and above the amounts needed to meet the needs of that particular project) can be used to help with other similar "Good Works Program" projects. Otherwise, the Church will need to return the surplus.

Again, thank you, for your generosity and desire to help our brethren facing emergency needs. Your assistance in following these procedures will help your aid to reach those in need as quickly and efficiently as possible.

The Good Works Program is a mechanism by which local congregations, through fund raising activities, can help provide financial assistance in the event of special needs that affect Church members, but fall outside of the Church's annual operating budget. The program will primarily focus on needs in the international areas, but there may occasionally be projects in the United States.