1. What is One Great Hour of Sharing?
One Great Hour of Sharing, as part of Our Churches 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 more than eighty countries. The UCC works with international partners to provide sources of clean water and food, education and health care, small business micro-credit, emergency relief, and advocacy and resettlement for refugees and displaced persons. OGHS also supports domestic and international ministries for disaster preparedness and response.
2. Who participates in One Great Hour of Sharing?
Nine Christian denominations 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.
3. How is the United Church of Christ's offering used?
More than 60 percent of the UCC's offering supports international development initiatives, including annual support for approximately ten missionaries working in health care, education, and agricultural development. Gifts are also used for disaster preparedness and response, refugee and immigration advocacy and assistance and related volunteer initiatives.
4. Where and how are OGHS funds shared?
The United Church of Christ responds to development, disaster, and refugee needs in more than eighty countries, including the United States.
Funding decisions are made by asking our worldwide mission partners, "What would you have us do with you?" The United Church of Christ responds as a member of ecumenical organizations such as Church World Service and Action by Churches Together, International. We also support the direct mission efforts of churches and church-based organizations with which the United Church of Christ and the Disciples of Christ have direct partnerships through Global Ministries. Nearly one-third of the UCC's offering is shared through Church World Service to support refugee, disaster, development, and advocacy programs.
5. How many dollars are given to the UCC's OGHS offering?
On average, annual OGHS special offering receipts total just over $3 million. Nearly seventy percent of UCC congregations participate.
6. What percentage of OGHS donations are used directly for mission?
On average, of every dollar given to One Great Hour of Sharing, 88 cents are used directly for mission programming; 6 cents for interpretation materials and 6 cents for administrative costs. Most administrative costs are paid with gifts to Our Church's Wider Mission National Basic Support and endowment funds. Due to decreases in OCWM Basic Support, beginning in 2004 some program administration and staff costs are supported by One Great Hour of Sharing.
7. How can I contribute to One Great Hour of Sharing?
The OGHS special mission offering is received through local UCC congregations and all UCC members are encouraged to participate in this way. Make a Secure On-line contribution, or make a gift at your local UCC church. UCC local Churches send their gifts to the UCC Conference Office who will then forward it to One Great Hour of Sharing at 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115-1100.
www.ucc.org/oghs
sharing resources… changing lives…
