OGHS Stories
UCC ministries, partners support refugees near and far with One Great Hour of Sharing
March 13, 2023
From Pennsylvania to Palestine and many locations around the world, the United Church of Christ is working with partners and communities to respond to the more than 25 million global refugees. One Great Hour of Sharing invites congregations and individuals across the church to help make this work possible. Funds from this annual UCC mission offering go toward assisting refugee and asylum seekers, among addressing other international and domestic needs through Wider Church Ministries.
For top givers, OGHS connects congregations with wider world
Feb 28, 2023
While total donations tailed off during the early days of the COVID pandemic, 2021 appeared to indicate a rebound. That year, UCC congregations gave more than $1.75 million to OGHS (amounts for 2022 are still being calculated). This was an increase of about half a million dollars from the total offering in 2020. That’s mostly thanks to more than two-thirds of churches increasing their 2021 giving.
UCC offers grants, check-ins, other tools to groups immersed in refugee resettlement
Feb 8, 2022
Dozens of congregations across the United Church of Christ are focusing ministries on Afghan refugees. They are taking them in, resettling and sponsoring them — or trying to discern how they can best offer support. In turn, Global H.O.P.E.’s Refugee and Migration Services is working to support those churches as they establish relationships with their new neighbors.
Michigan churches’ resettlement efforts help keep families together
Jan 27, 2022
Keeping families together. Even when they come all the way to America from Afghanistan.That’s what two United Church of Christ congregations in Michigan are doing as they help resettle people leaving their homeland for a better life. Douglas UCC welcomed an Afghan family of three to that Michigan community on Jan. 12.
UCC Global H.O.P.E. grants approved in December plus link to all 2021 grants
Jan 27, 2022
The UCC Global H.O.P.E. team in December approved grants to:
ACT Alliance South Sudan – $5,000 toward relief for 7.3 million people threatened with hunger due to increased violence, flooding, and desert locusts.
Albuquerque faith-based collaborative steps up to support Afghan refugees
Jan 27, 2022
Twelve churches from eight different faith traditions are welcoming refugees from Afghanistan to Albuquerque, N.M. And they’re doing it together. Through what they call the ABQ FaithWorks Collaborative, they have been aiding refugees and other homeless people since 2019. The effort has positioned them well to help the latest newcomers, said a pastor who helped start the project.
Global H.O.P.E. Hurricane Harvey recovery grant helping restore 14 homes
Nov 18, 2021
Repair of 14 homes damaged by Hurricane Harvey in 2017 is proceeding with the support of a $7,000 UCC Global H.O.P.E. grant to the Victoria (Texas) County Long-Term Recovery Group.
When Life Gives You Scraps
May 12, 2020
Refugees like Sandra are making the best of a difficult time by caring for others. They made hundreds of face masks while worried about their own problems. The refugees in the program have lost their income and aren’t sure when they’ll return to work, but are committed to helping others in need.
Some recent UCC Disaster MInistries international grants
December 16, 2019
Here are some recent international grants approved by UCC Disaster Ministries: $20,000 to Global Ministries’ partner Fund for Development, Culture and Dialogue to assist vulnerable Syrian families to combat the harsh winter with winterization items, including thermal blankets, shoes and warm clothing for children, and heaters.
Disaster recovery initiative is growing ecumenically
December 10, 2019
A pilot program to help communities launch long-term recovery following disasters is growing ecumenically. Over the past two years, the disaster ministries of the United Church of Christ, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Church of the Brethren have joined forces to pioneer the Disaster Recovery Support Initiative (DRSI) in nine states and U.S. territories. Now DRSI is folding into the disaster programs of Church World Service (CWS).
Share the message of disaster preparedness this Christmas
November 25, 2019
Send joyful Christmas greetings and provide your friends and family a practical tool to get prepared for natural disasters at the same time. Disaster Preparedness Christmas Cards from United Church of Christ Disaster Ministries include a complete up-to-date list of what should be included in an individual ‘Go-Bag’ – a bag that is prepared to grab and ‘go’ when a disaster strikes. A faithful reminder to start the year off prepared!
UCC helps restore homes, livelihoods in Japan after Typhoon Hagibis
November 25, 2019
UCC Disaster Ministries just contributed $10,000 toward an ecumenical response through CWS Japan to assist 1,000 families with home and livelihood restoration, volunteer mobilization to clear debris, and capturing of lessons learned for reducing risk in the disasters that are sure to follow as climate change brings more unprecedented destructive weather.
UCC help for orphaned or abused children displaced by Dorian
November 25, 2019
UCC Disaster Ministries has contributed $15,000 to support care for 25 orphaned, abused, neglected or abandoned children evacuated from Grand Bahama after Hurricane Dorian destroyed the Children’s Home there.
What you can do to support Hurricane Dorian recovery now
October 09, 2019
There’s a lot you can do right now!
In Nepal, new quake-proof homes funded by UCC number 73 and counting!
October 09, 2019
It’s a gift that keeps on giving! UCC Disaster Ministries’ initial investment of $200,000 has built earthquake-resistant homes for 53 vulnerable families who survived the devastating 2015 earthquakes in Nepal. The families are paying back interest-free loans into a revolving fund, already used to build 20 more homes. Now the UCC has just sent an additional $40,000 for yet more homes!
UCC, partner in Puerto Rico, restore 105 Maria-battered homes
October 09, 2019
UCC Disaster Ministries and the Iglesia Evangelica Unida de Puerto Rico (IEUPR) have completed the restoration of 105 Maria-damaged homes to date, especially the repair of roofs, with the help of 420 volunteers. Immediate goal: restore 45 more roofs wait-listed to be fixed to bring the total to 150. UCC Disaster Ministries will continue to support recovery efforts as long as financial resources allow. Give/volunteer!
UCC Disaster Ministries supports Hurricane Michael recovery in six FL counties
October 09, 2019
$5,000 seed grants from UCC Disaster Ministries will go toward costs for three Hurricane Michael long-term recovery groups in the Florida Panhandle – Liberty (County) Strong, Gadsden (County) Strong and the North Florida Inland Long-Term Recovery Group (Jackson and Calhoun Counties). The UCC also is supporting recovery in Bay and Washington counties, including with recruitment of volunteer work teams.
UCC Disaster Ministries funds resiliency training for an entire Sulawesi village
October 09, 2019
$15,000 from UCC Disaster Ministries will fund 12 months of resiliency training for an entire village in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, which a year ago (September 28, 2018) suffered a massively destructive earthquake and tsunami that killed more than 2,000 people and displaced tens of thousands. The goal is to build communities with independent ability to avoid danger, adapt to disaster risks and recover quickly.
Pennsylvania couple lives out commitment to others through OGHS, Disaster Ministries
May 24, 2019
Meet Bill (William) and Ellen Matten of St. John’s United Church of Christ in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, two volunteers who consistently put their faith in action. They are very committed to making the world a better place by pitching in to help where they feel called to serve.