On March 10 during our worship service, St. James will participate in the One Great Hour of Sharing Special Mission Offering. This collection united 8 different Christian denominations in gathering funds that can be dispersed immediately in times of the most critical need. In 2012, over $1 million was distributed worldwide. Our church missions were there to offer help in response to disasters like drought and famine in East Africa and Ethiopia, humanitarian and refugee aid in Syria, earthquake relief in Japan, and more than half a million dollars to the earthquake response in Haiti.

In the United States, nearly $300,000 was used to continue recovery work from Hurricane Katrina and the Joplin tornado; to equip volunteers across the country with disaster clean-up training and supplies; and for flood relief and recovery right in our area. One Great Hour of Sharing uses funds to assist people across the United States and throughout the world who are affected by natural disasters, conflict, and poverty. Please consider participating in this special offering, which brings hope and life to our neighbors around the world.