Ensuring Social Justice by Addressing Economic Needs

For over one hundred years, the United Church Board for Ministerial Assistance (UCBMA) has supported the physical, financial, and spiritual foundation of our United Church of Christ ministries, church workers, and their families through direct and compassionate financial support and leadership initiatives so they can continue answering their call and serving their communities with confidence.

Evan Rathjen is a key staff colleague in Philanthropy, who keeps our Philanthropy engine running. She connects with those who have faithfully served the church, offering them compassionate responses in their time of need, and encouraging them to leave a legacy for the people and causes they care about. I sat with Evan to discuss her role in Philanthropy and how she is helping our members steward their financial journeys while ensuring they maximize the Pension Boards’ offerings.

—The Rev. Dr. Paul L. Ramsey
Director, Church Relations and Philanthropy

Paul: Can you briefly describe your role at UCBMA?

Evan: As the Philanthropy Coordinator, I help connect our Christmas Fund community members with opportunities for generosity. I love meeting and engaging with our donors, learning about what makes them passionate about giving, thanking them and stewarding their journey, and helping tell the story of

The Christmas Fund and The Christmas Forever Fund. In this way, they can receive the loving support of the Christmas Fund community in moments of financial challenge and uncertainty.

Last year, the Philanthropy team helped connect over 1,800 UCC congregations and 1,000 Christmas Fund community members with opportunities for giving, and raised over $2 million for our ministers, church workers, and their families.

Paul: In what ways does the Christmas Fund support UCC community members who may be facing moments of economic challenge and uncertainty?

Evan: The Christmas Fund puts our community’s love into action by providing emergency grants, health and pension supplementation, and “Thank You” gifts at Christmastime. Our ministers and church workers dedicate their lives to the service of their congregations and communities. The Christmas Fund is just one way we can give back to them, uplift them, and thank them for their service, especially in the years when they step out of the direct work of ministry and into retirement. Last year, we lived out our values as members of the United Church of Christ by providing nearly $2 million to 766 people in need.

I think it’s also important to note that everyone can receive the loving support of the Christmas Fund, regardless of whether they are a member of the Pension Boards or not. UCBMA, the Christmas Fund, and our programs are open to the United Church of Christ community as a whole.

Paul: Can you provide an example that demonstrates how critical our Emergency Grant assistance is to those we serve?

Evan: Absolutely. Here’s a quote from the Rev. Seth Wispelwey.

Paul: What specifically brings personal meaning or purpose to your role as we continue to support our United Church of Christ community? 

Evan: The stories of our Christmas Fund community members give personal meaning and purpose to my work every day. I love hearing about how ministry and community service can change lives and ensure a just world for all. The Christmas Fund was here for them. And no matter who you are or where you come from, the Christmas Fund is here for all of us. 

Paul: FreeWill is a platform that helps the United Church of Christ community create a will for free. What are the benefits of FreeWill to our UCC community? 

Evan: As part of our ongoing commitment to the financial health and sustainability of the United Church of Christ community, and our Together for Tomorrow partnership with the UCC’s National Ministries, the Pension Boards offers FreeWill, a free and easy tool to help you write or update your legal will. We want everyone in our community to feel empowered to create a legacy, pass down our faith and values, and protect the people and causes we care about. It takes most people less than 20 minutes to complete their will. It also ensures peace of mind for you and your family. You can create or update your will today, by visiting freewill.com/pbucc.