Using M&S Gifts for Local Projects

I have had a number of questions lately that go something like this, "We have a number of interesting local projects that are asking us for funds. Can we use our M&S dollars for this instead of remitting it?"

The quick answer is No.

A more complete answer is this:

Ths Mission and Service Fund (M&S) is not a description of a kind of work, like outreach. It is a fund, a discrete entity with parameters clearly set about how the money in the fund is to be spent. M&S dollars are used to "run" the wider church, to support our congregations and our worship, to do all of our Canadian outreach and advocacy work, to fulfill our commitments to our ecumenical and global partners. Decisions about the allocation of M&S Funds are made by volunteers working on behalf of the whole United Church of Canada.

This is what the Treasurer's Handbook says:

Mission and Service Fund contributions are monies held in trust for the Mission and Service Fund and MAY NOT be used for operating expenses of the pastoral charge or for any other purpose. (my emphasis)

So M&S is not for local outreach. M&S gifts are held in trust and legally and ethically must be remitted to the General Council office to do the work for which they are intended. Local outreach programs are vital to the community and the work done by congregations is indeed a blessing. That work, however, is funded by the local congregation and is a welcome addition to the work that we all do together through M&S.