One Great Hour of Sharing

One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS), a United Methodist Special Sunday, is March 14 . This Special Sunday with offering enables the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) to respond to disasters around the world by covering the costs of its doing business. Because of OGHS, gifts to specific UMCOR programs go 100% to the designated project.

One Great Hour of Sharing calls the Church to share the goodness of life with those who hurt.

“Lent is the season of repentance, self-examination, and awareness of the hurts of the people of the world. One Great Hour of Sharing calls the Church to share the goodness of life with those who hurt” (¶ 263.2, The United Methodist Book of Discipline 2008).

In 1946, One Great Hour of Sharing began as a special effort of the Episcopal Church. In 1949, the observance became ecumenical. Originally, one special worship hour during the year was reserved for people of faith to contribute over and above their regular offerings. Today different denominations celebrate OGHS on various dates, but the cooperative spirit remains.

Many people around the world lack necessities of life such as food, shelter and clothing. The OGHS offering makes those necessities a reality by sharing the goodness of life with those who hurt. When a catastrophe occurs, such as the recent earthquake in Haiti, your OGHS offerings assist UMCOR to provide humanitarian aid.

Unlike other mission programs, UMCOR receives no World Service or other apportionment money. By giving to One Great Hour of Sharing, you enable UMCOR to keep the promise that 100% of designated gifts go to specified causes.

Offering gifts over and above those used to cover administrative costs are channeled where they're most needed. UMCOR's specialized ministries responding in disaster, fighting hunger, alleviating poverty, providing relief supplies around the world, and offering hospitality to immigrants and refugees all assist the most vulnerable people whose need is greatest.

In 2008, the OGHS offering totaled $3,212,946, an average of only 41 cents per U.S. member. If every member gave $1, that would total more than $7.8 million!

While One Great Hour of Sharing is traditionally celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent, you can choose the date that works best for your congregation’s schedule. Offering materials are available online and in print throughout the year to support your offering celebration.

You enable UMCOR to keep the promise that 100% of designated gifts go to the specified causes.

Support materials to help educate your congregation about One Great Hour of Sharing are available on umcgiving.org. There is also a link to an online store where you can order additional free printed resources. If you would rather call and order resources, call toll free (888) 346-3862.

There are also Haiti Resources available, such as bulletin inserts, litany and song lyrics.

The General Board of Global Ministries, UMCOR’s parent organization, offers additional resources for downloading. These include:

You can give online at any time at a secure Web site One Great Hour of Sharing.

If the designated date has occurred or if it conflicts with your local church calendar, please select an alternate date for your congregation’s observance of One Great Hour of Sharing.

About Special Sundays

Six times throughout the year, United Methodist congregations celebrate churchwide Special Sundays with offerings. Your support is critical to the survival of these important ministries and for sharing God's gifts around the world.

Churchwide Special Sundays with offerings enable United Methodists to offer refuge in times of disaster, promote peace and justice, provide scholarships and student loans, reach out to the community, teach skills to encourage self-sufficiency and share the love of Jesus Christ with God's people everywhere. Your support is critical to the survival of these important ministries and for sharing God's gifts around the world.

A resource is available for download that explains the six Special Sundays and how to promote them: Planning Guide.

Do you have questions about a specific Special Sunday? Go to UMCgiving.org to find the answers.