For more than 50 years, United Methodist congregations have been taking part in a special One Great Hour of Sharing offering, laying the foundation for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR’s) ministry of relief and hope. The donations UMCOR receives through this offering, along with other undesignated gifts made throughout the year, cover our costs of doing business. Gifts like yours make it possible for UMCOR to use 100% of all other contributions on the projects our donors specify, instead of on administrative or fundraising costs. UMCOR does not receive United Methodist World Service or apportionment funds, so without your offerings, UMCOR would not exist. Because we keep operating costs under 10% of our total budget, undesignated gifts may actually exceed UMCOR’s administrative needs. When that happens, your support is channeled to under-funded programs, where they’re most needed. They also may be used to allow UMCOR to respond to disasters immediately after an event and before funds can be raised. If you’d like to help support the work of UMCOR, be sure to look for the special offering envelope for One Great Hour of Sharing in your bulletin on Sunday, March 6th.