226th General Assembly (2024)
Approves New Church Wide Special Offerings Menu
Dear Friends of the churchwide Special Offerings,
Grace and Peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ! The 226th General Assembly (2024) approved several changes to the churchwide Special Offerings to take effect January 1, 2026. These changes were recommended by the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board through the Special Offerings Review Task Force. Thanks to members of the Task Force for their creative work.
The biggest change you will note is a new lineup of offerings:
• One Great Hour of Sharing
• World Communion Offering
• Christmas Joy Offering
That means:
1. The Pentecost Offering will be discontinued after the 2025 Offering. However, all current recipient causes will continue to be funded through the churchwide Special Offerings. Specifically, ministries focused on children-at-risk, youth, and young adults will now be part of the Christmas Joy Offering.
2. The Peace & Global Witness Offering will transform into the World Communion Offering beginning in 2026. Through 2025, congregations and mid councils are invited to retain a percentage of gifts from their Pentecost and Peace & Global Witness Offerings. In 2026, there will be a new grant-making program to support local and regional ministries. Your congregation or mid council will be able to apply for a grant for your own ministries that align with the causes supported through this new Offering. PMA staff are already working to create an accessible grant process that centers equity, creativity, and flexibility.
3. Overall, causes, rather than programs will receive funds as determined by leadership of the future unified agency. This does not mean currently funded programs will no longer receive funding. Broadening the scope of funding areas will invite more congregations, mid councils, and individuals to support the churchwide Special Offerings while discovering new ways to do God’s work in the world.
Over the next year, we will be redefining the Special Offerings experience to encompass this new direction. Be on the lookout for occasional updates on this process while continuing to receive resources, communication, and opportunities for the current schedule of Offerings.
I’m excited that the Holy Spirit led this General Assembly to approve these recommendations. They will bring a renewed spirit of gratitude, compassion, connection and justice-centered giving. It is my prayer that God use these gifts to help us know that We Are the Church…Together!
Please reach out to me or anyone on my team with any questions, comments, or just for further conversation. We look forward to speaking with you!
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Wilson Kennedy
Associate Director for Special Offerings and Appeals
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