Global Missions/Outreach Programs
Supported by Westminster

Westminster Presbyterian Church supports many national and global missions:

One Great Hour of Sharing
Presbyterian Homes of Georgia
Pentecost Youth Offering 
Peacemaking Offering
Christmas Joy Offering
Souper Bowl
Samaritan's Purse



One Great Hour of Sharing

The One Great Hour of Sharing are special offerings received on Palm Sunday go to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program and the Presbyterian Self-Development ministries. With distribution throughout the world, here in the United States and in the Presbytery of Hudson River, this is an efficient and effective way to channel funds to people in need; only a tiny percentage is used for administrative costs.

At the beginning of Lent, cardboard banks are given to Sunday School students and special envelopes to adults. Throughout Lent, people are requested to set aside an offering each day, both as a way to help others and as a personal reminder of the needs of the world.

What You Can Do:
Remember the needs of others by making an offering
Encourage children to recognize the needs of others by giving some of their own money


Presbyterian Homes of Georgia

Presbyterian Homes of Georgia is a Christian ministry providing exceptional services to enhance the quality of life for senior adults.

Presbyterian Homes of Georgia was founded in 1949 as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation. We have had a covenant agreement with the five Presbyteries in Georgia, (PCUSA), for the past 57 years that allows us to collect the Mother’s Day Offering in Presbyterian Churches that helps support the almost $3 million in benevolent nursing care that we give away each year.

Currently, we have two continuing care retirement communities in Quitman, Georgia and in Austell, Georgia, and two Housing and Urban Development Senior Housing apartment buildings in Decatur and Buckhead. All four Presbyterian Homes communities serve a total of over 1,000 residents.


Pentecost Youth Offering

The Pentecost Offering is traditionally received on the day of Pentecost (May 27, 2007). It provides a direct way to meet the needs of children at risk, youth, and young adults. Congregations are encouraged to keep 40 percent of the Offering to support ministry with children at risk in their communities.

The General Assembly’s portion (60 percent) provides leadership development opportunities for Presbyterian youth and young adults and supports children-at-risk programs at the national level. Since 1998, Presbyterians of all ages have raised over $7 million for these ministries that benefit younger members of God’s family.


Peacemaking Offering

The Peacemaking Offering is one of four special offerings designated by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The 192nd General Assembly (1980) of the former United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America called for an offering to be received to support peacemaking initiatives and peace education throughout the church when it adopted the recommendations in the report "Peacemaking: The Believers’ Calling."

The Peacemaking Offering is received by most congregations on World Communion Sunday, celebrated the first Sunday in October. It is recommended that 25 percent of the offering received be retained by each congregation, 25 percent be used by synods and presbyteries, and 50 percent be used by the General Assembly ministries through the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program.


Christmas Joy Offering

A Presbyterian tradition for almost seventy years, the Christmas Joy Offering is one of the four special offerings designated by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to provide congregations direct ways of supporting specific causes that help those in need.

Fifty percent of the receipts to the Christmas Joy Offering are distributed to the Board of Pensions for assistance programs that provide support to retired and active church workers and their spouses and families. The other fifty percent supports Presbyterian-related racial ethnic education through the National Ministries Division of the General Assembly Council.

The Christmas Joy Offering is usually received the Sunday before Christmas.


Souper Bowl

The Souper Bowl of Caring is a youth-led, grassroots movement of caring, the result of thousands of young people joining together to fight hunger and poverty in their communities. Since 1990, $33 million has been raised for charities across the country.

The Souper Bowl of Caring believes that youth are not only the leaders of tomorrow, but can also be the leaders of today. It is our hope that by equipping young people with knowledge about hunger and poverty, we are guiding them to a lifetime of service.

This national event held every year on the same Sunday as the NFL's Super Bowl is traditionally led by youth who stand at sanctuary exits in congregations following worship services on that Sunday and collect $1 and/or one can of food from each parishioner. The money and food collected supports local, national, and international anti-hunger efforts. The amount each congregation collects is reported that day to the national Souper Bowl office by phone or online, and the national total is posted online as it grows.


Samaritan's Purse

Samaritan's Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan's Purse has helped meet needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God's love through His Son, Jesus Christ.  Westminster supports the Operation Christmas Child special project of the Samaritan's Purse.  Last year, Westminster Presbyterian collected and distributed over 40 shoeboxes filled with goodies for children throughout the world.  This year, we hope to exceed that number with your help.