Extra Commitment Opportunities

There is a channel through which gifts can be designated for specific items that support the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s work around the world. These are called Extra Commitment Opportunities (ECOs). You can give directly to an ECO account online or by mailing your check designating the name and account number of the particular item you have chosen to:

PC(USA) individual Remittance Processing P.O. Box 643700 Pittsburgh, PA 15624-3700

Your gift will go directly into the ECO Account designated, and you will receive a letter indicating that your gift has been received and will be used for the purpose intended.

Below are some ECO's related to Jamaica and Grand Cayman. For a complete listing visit Mission Funding's Web site and type Caribbean or Central America in the search box.

Education

United Theological College of West Indies

The United Theological College in Kingston, Jamaica, the largest theological school in the Caribbean, has the best library for advanced theological study in that area. As it moves toward the preparation of graduates for advanced degrees, support is needed to assist present faculty to work toward advanced degrees. Funds are also needed for salaries for interim faculty while the regular staff undertakes advanced training.

Mission Personnel

Long-term mission volunteer Vicki Smith was appointed to a two-year term in January 2007 to serve with the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. She teaches music and art to children ages 3 to 12 at Iona Preparatory School in Tower Isle, Jamaica. “On the worst days and the best,” writes Vicki, “I remember my call to teach and my call to mission. Sharing God’s love is a basic part of teaching in any situation and as important here as anywhere.”

Other Support

Regional Liaison Caribbean

Gifts to this account will be used to defray the direct and indirect costs of travel and operating expenses for the work of the regional liaison in helping implement agreed-upon programs with partner churches and institutions, supporting PC(USA) congregations and presbyteries in mission involvement with partners, and supporting PC(USA) mission personnel serving in the region. This region includes Cuba, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, and Trinidad and Tobago. The Caribbean is the focus for a large proportion of Presbyterians' mission trips and partnership involvements.