A. MOSES RATHAN KUMAR
General Council on Finance and Administration
“Bright eyes give joy to the heart; good news strengthens the bones,” we read in Proverbs 15:30.
There is good news to share with you about United Methodist Special Sunday giving in 2014. Overall, contributions increased 8.1 percent! Five of the six Special Sundays showed growth – a fact that brings joy to my heart!
Last year, United Methodists across the connection gave nearly $5.3 million to six churchwide Special Sundays with offerings. Here are the amounts contributed to each Special Sunday offering:
- Human Relations Day: $521,392
- One Great Hour of Sharing: $3,005,332
- Native American Ministries Sunday: $266,031*
- Peace with Justice Sunday: $216,746*
- World Communion Sunday: $836,955
- United Methodist Student Day: $431,677
Here is what you accomplished through generous giving …
On Human Relations Day, you extended a helping hand to people in crisis to help them overcome formidable obstacles. Through One Great Hour of Sharing, you reached children, families and communities who had experienced devastation in the wake of disaster.
On Native American Ministries Sunday, you empowered local spiritual development and educated Native American seminarians to serve God faithfully. Through Peace with Justice Sunday, you spread the gospel of peace and encouraged cooperation locally, in the U.S. and globally.
On World Communion Sunday, you enabled national and international graduate students to change the world. Through United Methodist Student Day, you educated scholars so they could make a difference.
Thank you for your conference’s commitment to improving the lives of God’s children and sharing the love of Jesus Christ through churchwide Special Sundays. I pray 2015 will be a year of growth in giving – and discipleship.
*50% of the funds received for this offering remained in the Annual Conference. This represents only the amount remitted to GCFA.
Last Updated on February 2, 2024