Special Offerings of the Presbyterian Church (USA)


What is the Pentecost Offering? One of the four special offerings of the PC(USA), the Pentecost Offering was first received by congregations in 1998. Its gifts provide nurture and hope to young members of God’s family. Congregations keep 40 percent of the Offering to support work on behalf of children at risk. The General Assembly invests its share of 60 percent in the church through faith-focused ministries with youth and young adults and through programs that benefit children at risk in this country and around the world.
Click Here to see how West Virginia Presbytery uses these funds.	What is CENTS-ABILITY? Cents-Ability is a small first step in the battle against hunger and poverty. Congregations invite every member -- of all ages -- to contribute a few cents at every meal. This simple act is an expression of thanks for what we have received. It is also a commitment to share with others in response to Jesus' command "You give them something to eat." When members bring their offerings to church on the appointed Sunday, all of those coins "make a joyful noise unto the Lord" as they are received and dedicated. These small acts of faithfulness can add up: One hundred persons in a congregation will contribute $180.00 a month at two cents a meal. That's $2160 dollars a year. A 30,000 member presbytery has the potential of raising over $1.6 million at a nickle a meal. Cents-Ability originated in 1976 as "Two-Cents-A-Meal," a project begun by Presbyterian Women to involve individuals and families in a corporate response to world hunger. Over the years, presbyteries have developed similar programs entitled Pennies for Hunger, Nickle-A-Meal, etc. Many of these programs benefit local hunger ministries as well as the national and international projects of the Presbyterian Hunger Program. (PHP). For more information about how the funds are used within the Presbytery of West Virginia, click here.
One Great Hour of Sharing Since 1949, Presbyterians have joined with millions of other Christians through One Great Hour of Sharing to share God’s love with people experiencing need. Our gifts support ministries of disaster response, refugee assistance and resettlement, and community development that help people find safe refuge, start new lives, and work together to strengthen their families and communities. Recognizing that the hope we have in Christ is lived out in our hope for one another, we respond with gifts that help our sisters and brothers around the world find the hope for a brighter future. Distribution of Receipts Presbyterian Disaster Assistance receives 36 percent of undesignated One Great Hour of Sharing gifts, while Self-Development of People and the Presbyterian Hunger Program each receives 32 percent. When Received Most congregations receive the offering on Easter Sunday, Palm Sunday, or both, while many receive it throughout Lent.
	Souper Bowl of Caring The Souper Bowl is a simple effort to "love the Lord our God ..and love our neighbors" by encouraging people to give one dollar each as they leave worship on, or near, Super Bowl Sunday. Every penny collected should be sent directly to the soup kitchen, food bank or other charity of your group's choice. We firmly believe that this simple but significant effort is a gift from God. Thus, we have tried to avoid being "controlling" and have instead tried to model faithfulness in maintaining the integrity and the spirit of the Souper Bowl. To assure clarity, the following paragraphs articulate some of the thinking behind the effort so that your understanding might be as complete as possible.
Peacemaking Offering Christians are called as Christ's people to be God's peacemakers as agents of reconciliation in families, individual lives, communities, churches, the international arena, and the whole of creation. Peacemaking is the human response to the divine gift of peace giving. The Peacemaking Offering supports the peacemaking efforts of the church at every governing body level, and provides an opportunity to witness to God's gift of peace in the world. In order to help the whole church respond to God's peace giving in the world, 25 percent of the Peacemaking Offering is retained by congregations for their support of their own peacemaking ministry; 25 percent is used to support presbytery and synod peacemaking efforts; 50 percent is forwarded to the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program of the General Assembly, so that it can continue to provide assistance and resources for congregations and other bodies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
	What Is the Christmas Joy Offering? A Presbyterian tradition for almost seventy years, the Christmas Joy Offering is one of the four special offerings designated by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to provide congregations direct ways of supporting specific causes that help those in need. The receipts from the offering are distributed equally to the Board of Pensions for assistance programs and to the National Ministries Division of the General Assembly Council to support eight Presbyterian racial ethnic schools and colleges. The Board of Pensions Receives 50 Percent of the Offering Through the Board of Pensions Financial Assistance Programs, the Christmas Joy Offering recognizes the faithfulness of current and retired church workers by providing funds to help them through difficult times. To help retired church workers and their surviving spouses, the board offers Income Supplements to raise incomes to a level where retirees can live modestly and continue to maintain their independence. The Shared Grant Program is open to all current and retired church workers. Governing bodies, congregations, and employing organizations offer the grants to church workers who have financial need or an emergency. The board shares the funding equally with this partner organization.