Taylor B. Russell is the Innovation & Engagement Research Specialist for the UCC Center for Analytics, Research & Development, and Data. She is also the administrator for Access UCC, the online version of the Yearbook & Directory.
Welcome back!
This week, we’re highlighting another Special Report from the 2022 Statistical Profile, written by the Rev. Dr. Monica Dawkins-Smith, Executive Associate, for Wider Church Ministries. In May 2022, Rev. Dr. Dawkins-Smith created a survey to learn when, why, and how UCC churches engaged with the One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) offering. Here is a sample of the full report:
Funds collected from the One Great Hour of Sharing Special Offering, and other special funds, are used by Wider Church Ministries to fulfill the United Church of Christ’s commitment to respond to a variety of international and domestic concerns by providing advocacy, sustainable development resources, long term disaster recovery support, humanitarian aid and assistance for refugee and asylum seekers. We can accompany families as they rebuild their homes and lives through our collaborative partnership with churches and organizations like Church World Service (CWS), Action by Churches Together (ACT) Alliance and World Council of Churches (WCC).
Stories and reports bear witness to the transformative and life sustaining impact of our support through international programs in five (5) Global Ministries regions — Africa, East Asia and Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, Middle East/Europe, and Southern Asia — under the guidance of Global Ministries Area Executives working in collaboration with global partners.
2022 UCC Statistical Profile, see full report on page 73
See more about the OGHS offering trends, and responses from the 2022 survey to learn how UCC congregations engage with the offering and their “why” for contributing to the fund here.
Also, mark your calendars for March 19, 2023, the fourth Sunday in Lent (the suggested offering date this year). Visit OGHS Resources to acquire resources and worship materials, read stories of what churches across the nation are doing, and make a secure online gift to One Great Hour of Sharing.
Vital Signs and Statistics 