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One Great Hour of Sharing Offering – March 15
On Easter Sunday in 1949, the offering now known as One Great Hour of Sharing was received for the first time. It brought much-needed aid to people reeling from the destruction of World War II, which had ended just four years earlier. Many different mainline Protestant denominations as well as Anglican and Orthodox communions joined in this effort. The offering has continued to be received every year for more than 75 years!
The first offering was promoted via a national radio broadcast on the Saturday evening prior to Easter. A host of famous people appeared on the program, including President Harry Truman and actors Gregory Peck and Ida Lupino. Truman opened the “One Great Hour” broadcast by urging listeners to “build a new world, a far better world” in which the dignity of all humanity would be respected. The name of the radio program was adopted into the name of the offering the following year, and it became known as One Great Hour of Sharing.
In the 1960s, the scope of One Great Hour of Sharing was expanded to include both national and international needs. The decision to include national concerns came in an era when domestic poverty was receiving national attention. The One Great Hour of Sharing tradition has continued in part because it has included an emphasis on involving children. Generations of Sunday school children have learned about stewardship and mission support by putting coins into fish banks.
In the United Church of Christ, One Great Hour of Sharing is one of the 5 special offerings of the church. It supports partners worldwide with ministries that fund health, education, and agricultural development, emergency relief, refugee ministries, and both international and domestic disaster response. Thank you for your support of this offering!
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