Through One Great Hour of Sharing, lives are literally changed daily. Your support provides clean water, food, medicines, shelter, healthcare, education and so much more.
What is One Great Hour of Sharing?
One Great Hour of Sharing, part of Our Church’s Wider Mission, is the special mission offering of the United Church of Christ that carries God’s message of love and hope to people in crisis. The UCC works with international partners to provide sources of clean water, food, education and health care, small business micro-credit, advocacy and resettlement for refugees and displaced persons, and emergency relief and rehabilitation. One Great Hour of Sharing also supports domestic and international ministries for disaster preparedness and response.
Who participates in One Great Hour of Sharing?
Several Christian denominations – American Baptist Church, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Church of the Brethren, the United Church of Christ, and Church World Service – work together to develop common promotional materials thereby sharing ideas, costs, and a commitment to faithful service. Each denomination receives and manages its respective One Great Hour of Sharing offering.
How are our gifts used?
The collection we take in this month, on our online offering website, will get sent to the National Setting of the UCC in Cleveland, OH. Sixty percent of the UCC’s offering supports international development initiatives, including annual support for missionaries. Currently, there are 2 One Great Hour of Sharing supported missionaries and 1 Global Mission Intern working in disaster relief, health care, education, sustainable agricultural development, and refugee support. The offering also funds disaster preparedness and response, and disaster-related volunteer initiatives in the U.S.
Where and how are One Great Hour of Sharing funds shared?
The United Church of Christ responds to humanitarian and development needs in the world. Specifically, the UCC supports sustainable development and refugee needs internationally and provides disaster relief and immigration assistance in the United States.The United Church of Christ responds as a member of organizations such as Church World Service and the ACT Alliance. We also support the direct mission efforts of churches and church-based organizations that the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) have direct partnerships with through Global Ministries. Nearly one-fifth of the UCC’s OGHS offering is shared through Church World Service to support refugee, and disaster programs worldwide.
How many dollars are given to the UCC’s One Great Hour of Sharing offering?
In 2018, the OGHS offering received just under $2 million. Nearly sixty-five percent of UCC congregations participate annually.
What percentage of One Great Hour of Sharing donations are used directly for the mission?
On average, of every dollar given to One Great Hour of Sharing, 95 cents is used directly for mission programming; and 5 cents for interpretation materials. The associated administrative costs are paid by gifts to Our Church’s Wider Mission National Basic Support.
How are decisions made to fund the various projects?
Most of the expenditures are put into the budget to support long-term sustainable development. All funding is reviewed and monitored by a leadership committee that also reviews grant requests for long-term disaster rehabilitation initiatives.
How can I contribute to One Great Hour of Sharing?
We are asking that all donations to OGHS be made by check. Our treasurers will write a check to OGHS at the end of the month. Please do not try to use the online portal for this offering.