United Church Homes to honor Zion United Church of Christ

Zion United Church of Christ will receive the Diakonie Award, which is presented to congregations that have demonstrated faithfulness, generosity, compassion and encouragement in their support of the UCH mission and its communities.

The church has been donating to United Church Homes since 1916 and has donated close to $17,000 since 1983, said Rev. Beth Long-Higgins, executive director of United Church Homes’ Ruth Frost Parker Center for Abundant Aging.

“We really want to honor their 100-year commitment to United Church Homes because that is that is remarkable,” Long-Higgins said.

Decatur once was one of three locations Board of Directors considered building United Church Homes’ first community, she said. However, Board members decided to build the community in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, instead of Indiana, Zion United Church of Christ has continued to support the mission of caring for older adults and that’s what I call being dedicated to a vision, Long-Higgins said.

United Church Homes President and CEO Rev. Kenneth Daniel will preach before the award is presented to the president of the congregation and the president of the women’s guild. Others in attendance will be Rev. Chad Abbot, the designated minister for the United Church of Christ Indiana-Kentucky Conference, and United Church Homes staff.

About United Church Homes: United Church Homes has been “Celebrating the Spirit” as it has provided care with older adults for more than a century. The nonprofit, faith-based organization has more than 1,500 dedicated staff serving 4,500 residents of all faiths in 70 communities throughout 14 states and two Native American nations. UCH is in covenant with the United Church of Christ.

Contact: United Church Homes Communications Department, 740-382-4885.