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It started more than 60 years ago. In 1946, Bishop Henry Knox Sherrill, Presiding Bishop of the
Episcopal Church, set a goal of one million dollars per year for the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World
Relief. On nationwide radio, he challenged the Christian brothers and sisters of his communion to
raise one million dollars in one hour. And they did!
What began as a challenge has become a tradition for many Christian churches. Today, more than a dozen
church families, including our National Association, have taken up the challenge and kept the
tradition alive. Every offering is unique, but the goal is ever the same: in the spirit of Christ, to
help people help themselves in places of poverty, hunger, sickness, conflict, emergency and natural
disaster.
In recent years, the churches of our National Association have contributed more than $600,000 to One
Great Hour of Sharing programs: $240,000 to Tsumani relief, $260,000 to help with ravages of Hurricane
Katrina, and more than $100,000 to a host of missions and ministries targeting hunger, homelessness,
earthquakes, flooding, tornadoes and typhoons.
Every effort is made to work through member churches and missions closest to those in need. Recent
donations to help those affected by tornadoes in the midwest, specifically those in greensburg,
kansas, have been shepherded by the people of maple hill community congregational church in maple
hill, kansas. Similar efforts on our churches' behalf have been offered by the people of cedarwood
church in wetumpka, alabama in response to hurricane katrina, and the travencore church council of
south india in response to those affected by the tsunami.
Where our churches and missions are not present, we work through respected and responsible
organizations such as the Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, World Vision and Church World Service,
all of them Christian, four star Charity Navigator recommended agencies.
There are many ways for you and your church to be involved. You can take a One Great Hour of Sharing
offering in response to a particular cause or concern. You can also set aside a Sunday, or several
Sundays, every year to take an OGHS collection. Designated funds will be sent in a timely manner.
General monies will be held by the Missionary Society to be distributed as needs arise.
To be sure, the world has changed since 1946. But human needs have stayed the same. Please remember
to make OGHS a part of your own and your church's giving. Monies may be sent to the Missionary
Society at any time. Many will be served, and many will be grateful, for your help in making God's
love real in times of need.
Relief funds may be requested with little or no advanced warning. To assure that reserve funds are
available when needed, please contribute to the One Great Hour of Sharing Fund throughout the year.
Special OGHS envelops are available through the NA office.
How to Get Involved
- Prayer
- Monetarily - Part of the general offering is directed toward this mission.
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The 
Pan American Institute provides poverty stricken students with one meal a day, books, school supplies and, when needed, money for transportation or medical assistance. All of that is not provided even by the Mexican Government Secondary Schools to help end the cycle of poverty.
