Dear Church Leader,
In her Rwandan village, The Rev. Claudine Leary had the rare opportunity to attend school through high school. She was beginning her studies at Rwanda National University when civil war and genocide led her to flee the country and shelter in refugee camps for years. During this time, she remained dedicated to her education and sought learning opportunities when she could.
After receiving scholarships from the UMC and completing her degree at Africa University, she moved to the U.S. and completed her MBA, earned her master of divinity at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio, and became an ordained elder in the West Ohio Conference. She now serves as the director of development at Methodist Theological School and is a co-founder of a nonprofit to advocate for the education of children in refugee camps in sub-Saharan Africa.
As a scholarship recipient through the World Communion Sunday offering, Claudine is one of many scholars who has impacted the world for good thanks to her dedication to her education. By supporting and giving to World Communion Sunday, you support leaders like Claudine who are willing and ready to be God’s hands and feet in the world.
World Communion Sunday is October 6, 2024 (but you may celebrate on a date that works best for your congregation).
It is time to plan this year’s World Communion Sunday celebration. The 2024 theme is “Sustained by Love: Reflecting Glorious Being.” As Jesus shared communion with his disciples, likewise, we should share this sacrament and fulfill the command that Jesus gave to us to be His hands and feet. Imagine the excitement that a student feels when they receive a scholarship from the World Communion Sunday offering that you and other United Methodists have given in support of their education.
Our team created resources to make your planning easier and to motivate your congregation to participate in the celebration:
- Select the person(s) that you would like to lead the celebration;
- Download the 2024 World Communion Sunday pastor and leader kit; the kit includes social media graphics, videos, an offering talk, bulletin inserts, children’s resources and more;
- Use the 2023-2024 Special Sundays planning calendar located in the kit to schedule your promotion efforts. 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;
- Announce the celebration date to your congregation as soon as possible;
- Share information about how your members can give to World Communion Sunday offering:
- Give through our church’s online giving portal or set up monthly giving at UMC.org/SSGive
- Write a check to your local church and designate “WCS” in the memo line and place it in the offering plate, or
- Give a cash offering in the offering plate;
- Thank your members for their generosity;
- Plan to send the offering to your annual conference treasurer;
- Customize the announcement copy and reminder below to fit your needs and share it with members of your congregation. You may publish this information on your social media platform(s), websites, newsletters and other media your members use. Ask your youth to help by sharing the information on their platforms. This a great way to get your youth to be more involved in your ministry.
World Communion Sunday observance focuses the attention of United Methodists on the universal and inclusive nature of the church. Gifts to this World Communion Sunday offering equip students to transform the world.
Thank you for your support,
THE CONNECTIONAL GIVING TEAM
ANNOUNCEMENT COPY OR EMAIL
2024 WCS Email #1
“Email Subject: Get ready to celebrate World Communion Sunday on October 6, 2024!
Scripture: “He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word.” —Hebrews 1:3, NRSVUE
Pretext: Reflect God’s Glorious Being and Love on World Communion Sunday—October 6, 2024!
Dear Friends,
Scholarships are essential to the educational journey’s of many United Methodist students. Now more than ever, higher education can be unattainable for those without the financial resources necessary. On World Communion Sunday, in addition to receiving the sacraments, receive an offering that supports United Methodist students with scholarships and grants for continuing education and training. Our gifts to the World Communion Sunday offering will equip students to transform their communities around the world.
World Communion Sunday is in three weeks—October 6, 2024. In 2022, our gifts, combined with gifts from other United Methodist churches, totaled $443,480. The World Communion Sunday offering continues a legacy of educating students in a wide variety of careers that change lives. Please prepare to support these students with a generous offering.
Thank you for your generosity.
Pastor”