One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS): "An offering that makes real the love of Christ for individuals and communities around the world who suffer the effects of disasters, conflict, or severe economic hardship, and for those who serve them through gifts of money and time." Source: http://www.onegreathourofsharing.org/

"Through OGHS, United Church of Christ members reach out in the name of Christ to:

"Build sustainable communities… in more than 80 nations… that enable people and communities to stand against and rise above hunger, disease, illiteracy, and other forces of injustice that deny and destroy dignity.

"Respond to disaster… provides emergency and long-term assistance to people in the aftermath of hurricanes, tornados, storms, floods, tidal waves, fires, explosions, technological disasters, civil strife, war, or other natural or human-caused events…

"Minister to refugees… responds with advocacy and help, hope and hospitality for people who have been uprooted from their home of origin." Source: http://www.ucc.org/oghs/about.html

Strengthen the Church: "Faithfully Building the Body of Christ… the special mission offering that engages us in breathing vitality into the United Church of Christ, equipping new congregations and new generations to participate in God's mission. "Through our gifts to Strengthen the Church, we further our commitment to be a multiracial, multicultural church, open and affirming and accessible to all." Source: http://www.ucc.org/stc/

Neighbors in Need: The United Church of Christ is committed "to ministries of justice and compassion in the United States and Puerto Rico, as we speak prophetically to those in power and advocate for the voiceless. In the spirit of Christ, we seek to confront evil in the world and to alleviate suffering through justice advocacy and direct service." Source: http://www.ucc.org/nin/

Our Church's Wider Mission: UCC congregations are involved with mission in many ways. In the United Church of Christ, we affirm that, although the congregation is the fundamental unit of mission, mission is not just local. We are connected to one another, across boundaries of neighborhood, class, race, and national border." Source: http://www.ucc.org/ocwm/

Heifer Project: "Heifer is about communities and families. In areas where there has been conflict, Heifer helps communities by providing them with livestock and training that lead to a values-based, sustainable lifestyle that helps them put their differences aside." Source: http://www.heifer.org/

Church World Service Projects: "Founded in 1946, Church World Service (CWS) is the relief, development, and refugee assistance ministry of 35 Protestant, Orthodox, and Anglican denominations in the United States. Working in partnership with indigenous organizations in more than 80 countries, CWS works worldwide to meet human needs and foster self-reliance for all whose way is hard. "Within the United States, CWS assists communities in responding to disasters, resettles refugees, promotes fair national and international policies, provides educational resources, and offers opportunities to join a people-to-people network of local and global caring through participation in CROP Hunger Walks, the Tools & Blankets Program, and the CWS Kits Program." Source: http://www.churchworldservice.org/aboutcws.htm

Disaster Response: In the last couple of years, St. Paul's UCC has been involved in especially national and world-wide disaster relief.

Manhattan Food Pantry: Supported with donations and also adopting a low income family during the Christmas season and helping, not just with food, but also Christmas gifts.

Shepherd's Table: Our volunteers help prepare and serve lunch on the first Thursday of each month at the Daybreak Shelter for the homeless and needy in Joliet, IL.

Lending Hand: A free community outreach program of sharing medical equipment.

We are always looking for new ways to serve God and share God's awesome love!

For more information, email us or call (815) 478-4900.