June Benevolence - One Great Hour of Sharing

More than we can imagine

When Jesus inquired of his disciples how to feed a crowd of 5000, the disciples were overwhelmed at the enormity of the task. The offering of a boy with 5 loaves and 2 fish inspired a movement where all those present shared what little they had. In the end, their collective resources amounted to more than enough food to satisfy them all. Your small gift in the hands of Jesus will do far more than you can imagine. John 6:1-13.

“Fifty years ago, during World War II and immediately following, Protestant churches made appeals for relief and reconstruction. In 1946, Bishop Henry Knox Sherrill, newly-elected Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, set a goal of one million dollars per year for the Presiding Bishop’s Fund for World Relief. On nationwide radio, he challenged members to raise “one million dollars in one hour.” His impassioned challenge worked. During the first three years, Episcopalians raised $3.8 million.” http://abc-oghs.org/about-2/

Currently, the One Great Hour of Sharing committee is made of nine Christian denominations with the purpose of collecting special gifts to serve those in need. “The offering provides:

• Emergency relief available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for urgent or acute needs brought about by disasters of natural or human origin;

• Development projects focused on meeting chronic human need by enabling individuals or groups to establish or maintain a more adequate quality of life; and

• Refugee and immigration ministries focused on holistic ministry to immigrants, refugees, and migrants in detention facilities and refugee camps.”

adapted from http://abc-oghs.org/