Dear Church Leader:
As hurricanes, storms, wars, and other crises or chronic needs arise in the U.S. and across the globe, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is there to help. UMCOR, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, is dedicated to alleviating human suffering around the globe. Working in more than 80 countries worldwide, UMCOR provides survivors with temporary relief and long-term education, training and support. UMCOR spends 100 percent of designated gifts on the projects that donors specify. None of these designated gifts support administrative or operating costs.
Where does UMCOR’s administrative cost come from?
Every year on the fourth Sunday in Lent, we celebrate UMCOR Sunday, a day when individual and local church gifts are received to support UMCOR’s administrative costs.
In 2023, UMCOR Sunday is March 19.
It’s time to assemble your team and plan for the 2023 celebration. Mark your calendar and encourage your congregation to participate in supporting UMCOR’s work in alleviating suffering.
- Download the 2023 UMCOR Sunday pastor and leader kit that includes social media graphics, videos, an offering talk, bulletin inserts, children’s resources and more.
- Use the 2022-2023 Special Sundays planning calendar located in the kit to schedule your Special Sunday promotions. Feel free to adjust the planning calendar to fit your congregation’s needs.
- Pastor and leader kit resources are also available in French, Spanish and Korean—sermon starter, social media graphics, children’s resources and more.
- Click here to order your printed offering envelopes or call 1-800-991-6011 to place your order.
- Select the person(s) to lead the celebration.
- Announce the celebration date to your congregation as soon as possible.
- Encourage your church to give to the UMCOR Sunday offering at UMC.org/SSGive.
- Customize the announcement copy below to fit your needs and share it with members of your congregation. You may also publish this information on your social media platform(s), websites, newsletters and other media your members rely on.
Gifts to the UMCOR Sunday offering call United Methodists to share the goodness of life with those who are hurting. Your gifts to the UMCOR Sunday offering lay the foundation for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) to share God’s love with communities everywhere.
The special offering underwrites UMCOR’s “costs of doing business.” This helps UMCOR keep the promise that 100 percent of any gift to a specific UMCOR project will go toward that project and not administrative costs.
Thank you for giving to the UMCOR Sunday offering.
Working together to alleviate suffering,
The Connectional Giving Team
ANNOUNCEMENT COPY OR EMAIL
Email Title: UMCOR Sunday 2023—Email #1
Subject: On UMCOR Sunday, share goodness and mercy to those who are hurting.
Scripture: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life” —Psalm 23:6a, NRSVUE
Pretext: Plan now to celebrate UMCOR Sunday on March 19, 2023.
“Dear Friends,
The UMCOR Sunday celebration is coming soon!
Join us on March 19, 2023, as we celebrate UMCOR’s work assisting the most vulnerable persons affected by crisis or chronic need.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, gifts to UMCOR Sunday have decreased significantly. I hope that you will consider increasing your gifts to help cover UMCOR’s administrative costs as they work to help those who are hurting.
Our congregation’s gift to the UMCOR Sunday offering supports UMCOR’s ability to respond in times of disaster, offer humanitarian relief, provide sustainable development and assist with migration challenges.
Thank you for your generosity.
Pastor”