Sunday March 11 special offering
OGHS is one of four Special Mission Offerings that we give to each year. As part of Our Churches Wider Mission, OGHS is the offering of the United Church of Christ denomination 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. OGHS also supports domestic and international ministries for disaster preparedness and response.
Seven Christian denominations – American Baptist Church, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Church of the Brethren, Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Presbyterian Church (USA), 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 OGHS offerings, and together raise over $10 million annually.
Nearly 60% of the UCC’s offering supports international development initiatives, including annual support for missionaries. There are 4 OGHS supported missionaries and 2 Global Mission Interns 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. The initiatives of volunteers from many different church communities is made more impactful with your OGHS gift.
There are dozens of examples of the far ranging impact of OGHS. Here’s one: two years ago this month, Sepa and his wife Josivini wondered whether they and their neighbors would live or die as Cyclone Winston roared across their Fiji Islands community of Navakawau, on Taveuni Island, blowing away 96 of the village’s 111 homes, including theirs.
Thanks to UCC Disaster Ministries, Sepa, Josivini and many of their neighbors had shelter in the community hall while they worked with volunteers to rebuild their homes – and now enjoy reliable drinking water and a new health center.
Please join the Stewardship Board on March 11 as we use the One Great Hour of Sharing envelopes found in our pews to support this important and deeply impactful mission of the wider church.
by Rev. John Cramton