wfn.org | [PCUSANEWS] Presbyterians urged to double giving to One Great Hour of Sharing

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This story available online:

www.pcusa.org/pcnews/2009/09131<http://www.pcusa.org/pcnews/2009/09131

Presbyterians urged to double giving to One Great Hour of
Sharing

New toolkit helps congregations educate, encourage members

>by Bethany Furkin
>Presbyterian News Service

LOUISVILLE ― In just one hour, Presbyterians can help bring
water to communities in the Dominican Republic, rally
against government corruption in Cameroon and provide
support to those still struggling to rebuild on the Gulf
Coast.

Through the One Great Hour of Sharing

[www.pcusa.org/oghs](OGHS) - now in its 60th year - the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) joins with eight other
Christian denominations across the country to raise money
for refugee assistance, disaster relief and development
aid. The offering is usually collected at worship services
on Palm Sunday or Easter or throughout Lent, which begins
on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 25.

"One Great Hour of Sharing responds to all of those in kind
of a holistic way," said Alan Krome, associate for
interpretation/special offerings Communications and Funds
Development of the General Assembly Council.

Each denomination distributes its funds differently. In the
PC(USA), the money goes toward the Presbyterian Hunger
Program [www.pcusa.org/hunger] (36 percent), Presbyterian
Disaster Assistance [www.pcusa.org/pda] (32 percent) and
Self-Development of People [www.pcusa.org/sdop] (32
percent).

In 2008, giving by Presbyterian congregations totaled about
$8,245,000 ― about $744,000 less than in 2007. This year,
with need rising, congregations are being urged to give
more.

In a denomination-wide letter thanking people for their
past support, the Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow, moderator of the
218th General Assembly, asked congregations and individuals
to consider doubling their past gifts.

Included with the letter is a DVD/CD-ROM that contains
educational materials and ways for leaders to encourage
their congregations to give more. This "toolkit" was sent
to congregations in January and is also available online
[www.pcusa.org/oghs/promote.htm].

Many Americans are facing uncertain economic times, but
they still can help others, Krome said, adding that he is
confident Presbyterians will rise to the challenge. Small
changes like forgoing dinner and a movie on a weekend and
contributing the savings to the OGHS can make a big
difference to those suffering around the world.

"It makes a more positive difference in their life than it
makes a negative difference in ours," he said. "We still
have the ability to help others in a very powerful way."

One such way is by bringing a fresh water supply to
communities of Haitian sugarcane workers in the Dominican
Republic. The communities often have poor sanitation and no
water supply. Through funding from SDOP, four Dominican
communities are now on their way to a more reliable water
source. SDOP provides grants to economically poor or
oppressed groups so  they can find self-empowerment and
long-term solutions.

"It's so rewarding to go into these communities and see the
water system brought in," said SDOP Coordinator Cynthia
White. "We wouldn't be able to do it without the One Great
Hour of Sharing."

PHP also could not operate without the One Great Hour of
Sharing, said coordinator Ruth Farrell, adding that the
vast majority of the program's funding comes from the
offering.

"Joining Hands" is a PHP initiative that pairs Presbyterian
congregations or presbyteries with churches and community
groups in other countries. Together, they examine the root
causes of hunger and suffering and then work together to
effect change.

One of its programs is Publish What You Pay

[www.publishwhatyoupay.org], which aims to decrease
government corruption by requiring, for example, mining
companies to reveal how much money they pay governments for
the extraction of resources, thereby holding governments
accountable.

The OGHS supports work that addresses both the symptoms and
causes of problems, Farrell said.  "It's the Presbyterian
presence in a lot of countries," she said. "We're in it for
the long-term commitment."

PDA also emphasizes finding long-term solutions to
problems. When disasters strike, immediate responders are
often publicized and people offer lots of help ... for a time.

But when the publicity fades, support is still needed.
"Part of PDA's mission is to walk that long road with
survivors," said Pamela Burdine, associate for constituent
relations. "As a ministry, part of our job is to minister
to the caregivers also."

PDA's statement of values affirms that the church is called
to respond to human suffering, that all people are created
in God's image and that God's will is for a restored and
reconciled human community. Without funds from the One
Great Hour of Sharing, PDA officials say,  PDA would not be
able to act on these values.

One of the OGHS's biggest strengths is also one of its
biggest weaknesses, Krome said: because the offering has
been around for decades, giving can become habitual.
Although habit has kept donations coming in, it has also
prevented the program from growing. To fight this, people
must look at the work of the offering in a fresh way.

"Pain is not a habit. Need is not a habit," Krome said. "We
need to turn a corner this year and strengthen the
offering."

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