UCC Executive Council Template for
UCC Conference Policy for Recognition and Special Mission Relationships
With Health and Human Service Ministry Institutions

(Name of UCC Conference)

Policy, Requirements, and Expectations for Covenantal Inclusion of Health and Human Service Ministries in the life of the (Name of UCC Conference)

The (name of Conference) affirms the mission of the United Church of Christ in health and human service as set forth in the Mission Statement on Health and Human Services of the UCC. To further this mission, the (name of Conference) seeks to be in covenantal partnership with health and human service ministry institutions who share this affirmation so that the work of healing and service may be a more integral part of its life and ministry. Therefore, the (name of Conference) has adopted the following Policies and Criteria for Covenantal Partnership with health and human service ministry institutions.

GENERAL POLICIES:

There are two categories of covenantal inclusion:

1. Recognition: The Conference will consider for Recognition those health and human service ministry institutions whose corporate offices are located within the geographic boundaries of the Conference. Institutions so Recognized and who hold membership in the Council for Health and Human Service Ministries of the United Church of Christ shall have their names submitted by the Conference for inclusion in the UCC Yearbook as ministries related to the denomination.
2. Special Mission Relationship: The Conference will consider entering into a Special Mission Relationship with health and human service ministry institutions that are covenantally included in the UCC through listing in the UCC Yearbook where the ministry institution and the Conference desire to work together in missional endeavors that advance the ministry of the whole UCC in health and human service whether or not the ministry institution carries out any part or its program within the (name of Conference).

REQUIREMENTS FOR RECOGNTION:

1. The Recognized ministry institution shall maintain its corporate offices within the geographic boundaries of the (name of Conference).
2. The governing body of the Recognized ministry institution shall have formally affirmed the Mission Statement on Health and Welfare Human Services of the United Church of Christ attached hereto.
3. The Recognized ministry institution shall be a member in good standing of the Council for Health and Human Service Ministries of the United Church of Christ.
4. Through mutual acceptance of these criteria, the Recognized ministry institution and the (name of Conference) declare that their relationship is covenantal in nature and does not constitute or imply any form of legal or financial control over each other's operations.
5. The Recognized ministry institution agrees to submit its plans for any "special financial campaign*" which contemplates the solicitation of congregations or other UCC affiliated organizations and/or the promotion of the campaign within congregations or other UCC affiliated organizations within the (name of Conference) to the Council for Health and Human Service Ministries and the UCC Office for Financial Development for review and comment and to the (name of Conference) for endorsement.
6. The Recognized ministry institution shall include representation on its governing body from the membership of the congregations of the (name of Conference).

REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIAL MISSION RELATIONSHIP:

1. A ministry institution in a Special Mission Relationship with the (name of Conference) shall be covenantally included in the UCC though listing in the UCC Yearbook.
2. Special Mission Relationships with the (name of Conference) shall require the approval of the Council for Health and Human Service Ministries and the Executive Council of the UCC.
3. The (name of Conference) and the ministry institution will evaluate the effectiveness of the Special Mission Relationship every three years and will renew or terminate the relationship based on this evaluation.
4. A ministry institution in a Special Mission Relationship with the (name of Conference) is encouraged, insofar as it is practical, to maintain representation on its governing body from the membership of the congregations of the (name of Conference).
5. The ministry institution in a Special Mission Relationship with the (name of Conference) agrees to submit its plans for any "special financial campaign*" which contemplates the solicitation of the congregations or other UCC affiliated organizations and/or the promotion of the campaign within congregations or other UCC affiliated organizations within the (name of Conference) to the Council for Health and Human Service Ministries and the UCC Office of Financial Ministries for review and comment and to the (name of Conference) for endorsement.

* A "special financial campaign" is defined as a publicly promoted, limited term initiative to solicit financial and/or in-kind support from a broad-based institutional constituency for designated purposes defined by the organization.

EXPECTATIONS FOR RECOGNITION AND SPECIAL MISSION RELATIONSHIP:

The following expectations are common to health and human service ministry institutions that are Recognized by or have entered into a Special Mission Relationship with the (name of Conference).

1. Health and human service ministry institutions in covenantally included in the (name of Conference) are expected to establish relationships with the congregations of the Conference that reflect mutual support and engagement in ministry. It is understood that such relationships may include the opportunity for the institution to interpret its work and seek financial, in-kind and volunteer support from congregations on an ongoing basis not related to "special financial campaigns."
2. The (name of Conference) regards the health and human service ministries which it has Recognized or with which it has a Special Mission Relationship as fully enfranchised ministries of the Conference and will consult with these ministry institutions on any matters of concern to the Conference that may have a bearing on the work of these covenantal partners.
3. Ministry institutions that enjoy Recognition or a Special Mission Relationship with the (name of Conference) will, in a timely fashion, apprise the Conference concerning any significant changes in their ministries including plans for new acquisitions, mergers/alliances, or partial or complete cessation of operations.
4. The (name of Conference) will provide opportunities for health and human service ministry institutions with which it is in covenantal partnership to share their ministry in the publications, electronic media and public gatherings of the Conference.
5. Health and human service ministry institutions will, within their capacity, support the wider ministry of the (name of Conference) and it congregations through the sharing of their particular competencies.
6. Should the (name of Conference) or a health and human service ministry institution Recognized or in Special Mission Relationship with the Conference choose to end their covenantal partnership they shall notify the other party of this decision and their reasons for ending the relationship in writing and the Conference shall notify the UCC Office of General Ministries and the Council for Health and Human Service Ministries of such action.

Adopted by (name of Conference governing body):

Signature:

Date:

(Name of UCC Conference)
COVENANTAL INCLUSION AGREEMENT

United Church of Christ Recognition Of Health and Human Service Ministries

The (name of UCC Conference) and (name of health and human service ministry institution) hereby express their intent to be in a covenantal partnership to advance the healing and service ministry of the United Church of Christ.

Therefore, (name of UCC Conference) and (name of health and human service ministry institution) hereby agree to adhere to the Policy, Requirements and Expectations for Covenantal Inclusion of Health and Human Service Ministries in the life of the (name of UCC Conference).

(Conference Officer)    (Health and Human Service Ministry Officer)

Date:

Ý

(Name of UCC Conference)
SPECIAL MISSION RELATIONSHIP AGREEMENT

The (name of UCC Conference) and (name of health and human service ministry institution) hereby express their intent to be in Special Mission Relationship to advance the healing and service ministry of the United Church of Christ.

Therefore, (name of UCC Conference) and (name of health and human service ministry institution) hereby agree to adhere to the Policy, Requirements and Expectations for Covenantal Inclusion of Health and Human Service Ministries in the life of the (name of UCC Conference) related to Special Mission Relationships.

(Conference Officer)    (Health and Human Service Ministry Officer)

Date:

< Return to Covenant Inclusion Manual Table of Contents