Posts By: Tricia Wainscott

A Brief History of One Great Hour of Sharing

The One Great Hour of Sharing Offering, received during Lent, has a sixty-nine year history as an ecumenical endeavor that now involves nine denominations and Church World Service. Founded in 1946 by Episcopal Bishop Henry Knox Sherrill, a goal was set to raise one million dollars in one hour for World Relief. * The first… Read more »

Special Offerings Stories: Advent Missions

Oak Level Presbyterian Church is located in a small rural community in Halifax, VA. This year, the Children’s choir chose to receive an Advent Mission Offering, to be used to purchase life-changing items from the Presbyterian Giving Catalog.  Marty Melvin writes, “Each year we encourage the children to think of others and the needs of others around the world.  We… Read more »

New Year, New Logos!

Once upon a time (when I first started working in the office of Special Offerings), someone asked me for a logo to use for a conference.  Sure, we had logos for One Great Hour of Sharing, for Pentecost… but not one that embodied all four as a cohesive unit. A coworker added the words “Special… Read more »

Meet more SOLSN Ambassadors!

It’s time for another round of meet the Ambassadors – since it’s been awhile since you’ve heard from me, I’m going to introduce you to two for the price of one! Anna Owens and T.J. Piccolo served with me as Young Adult Volunteers in Belfast, so suffice it to say I’m excited to have them… Read more »

Board Of Pensions Assistance Grants

Yesterday, we learned about where 50% of offering receipts go for the Christmas Joy Offering: Racial Ethnic Schools and Colleges. The second half of this offering is dedicated to Assistance Grants of the Board of Pensions. Rooted in a nearly 300-year-old tradition, the Assistance Program embodies the connectional Church at its best. As the Assistance Program… Read more »

Racial Ethnic Schools and Colleges

Today my goal is to give you a bit more insight into the recipients of the Christmas Joy offering. Racial Ethnic Schools and Colleges receive 50% of the offering.  The importance of the racial ethnic schools and colleges of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is demonstrated in the continuing partnership between the two entities. The institutions have… Read more »

This year, give something more than a present…

Give Opportunity. Gift giving has become a large part of the Christmas spirit we celebrate each year. We give our family and friends presents to show our love for them, following in the tradition of the wise men the very first Christmas. It is through these actions that we are reminded of those in need,… Read more »

A Brief History of the Christmas Joy Offering

Several years ago there was a wonderful history of the Christmas Joy Offering. Where can I find that information? …Wendy What a great question, Wendy!  The Christmas Joy Offering has been received in Presbyterian churches for over 75 years! It has seen its share of changes in this time, but the heart of the offering has remained… Read more »

Meet Allison, an SOLSN Ambassador

It’s been awhile since I’ve featured a new Ambassador. Not because I don’t have a bevy of interesting, dedicated volunteers to choose from…  Today we’ll meet Allison Wehrung. She’s a former Young Adult Volunteer, now a senior at Columbia Theological Seminary.  So, Allison. What does mission mean to you? I think mission is the call… Read more »

Your One Stop Shop for Christmas Joy Resources

To find resources related to Special Offerings, the best place to start is always our website: http://specialofferings.pcusa.org (to go directly to the Christmas Joy page, click here).  You can find a link to our resource tag from this site. Resources available for the Christmas Joy offering include: Worship Resources Leader’s Guide Minutes for Mission Bulletin Inserts Poster… Read more »