"One Great Hour of Sharing"

e-pistle from Bishop Mike

February 28, 2005

"One Great Hour of Sharing"

This coming Sunday, March 6th, is designated for all United Methodist congregations to receive one of the six special offerings approved by our denomination, and this one is known as "The One Great Hour of Sharing." Our UMC website (umc.org) reminds us of the history of this special offering: One Great Hour of Sharing began as a special effort of the Episcopal Church in 1946. In 1949 the observance became ecumenical, and today several denominations--including The United Methodist Church --participate. The yearly observance is planned by denominational representatives and related to Church World Service and Witness, the relief agency of the National Council of Churches. 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 One Great Hour of Sharing at various times throughout the year, but the cooperative spirit remains.

For our United Methodist Church, this special offering provides the basic supportive structure for the work of UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Because of the funds received from "One Great Hour of Sharing," all other special gifts to UMCOR can be used 100% for the causes needed, such as the recent outpouring of gifts to help with tsunami relief. Those gifts for tsunami relief are now totaling over $15 million, so obviously the basic infrastructure is needed by UMCOR to use those gifts wisely and completely as intended.

I encourage all of our Indiana Area churches to receive this special offering on March 6th or on a Sunday within the next few weeks. I can witness first-hand how those offerings support the work on UMCOR from what I saw in my years in the Dakotas as UMCOR helped us deal with floods and with forest fires.

Please give generously to "One Great Hour of Sharing." Together we United Methodists make a huge difference in provide relief to people in need all over the world. Thank you.

from Bishop Michael J. Coyner

Indiana Area of the United Methodist Church
"Making a Difference ... in Indiana
and around the world"

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If you know someone who has yet to sign up for e-HUM, they simply need to send a blank e-mail from their preferred e-mail account to add@inareaumc.org.

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