Special Sundays are designated Sundays throughout the year that provide opportunities for giving. These special offerings are earmarked to support designated ministries. On these Sundays, we empower our congregations to give toward causes and organizations that promote sustainable life change. These offerings help provide refuge in times of disaster, promote peace and justice, provide scholarships, reach out to the community, teach skills to encourage self-sufficiency and share the love of Jesus Christ with God’s people everywhere. These Special Sundays are part of our denomination-wide effort we call connectional giving. It is one of the most powerful vehicles for generosity we have. Together, our churches are making an impact all over the world.
There are eight Special Sundays with offerings approved by Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference to be celebrated each year in the local church. The WPAUMC also approved a ninth Special Sunday, without offering, to recognize and honor retired clergy.
In addition, there are six Special Sundays with offerings established by the General Church to be celebrated yearly in local churches. Churches may choose an alternate date to observe any Special Sunday.
Saturday, January 27, 2024 to January 28
WPA Conference authorize Camping and Retreat Ministries Corporations to urge local churches to celebrate a Camping Weekend on January 27-28, 2024 (or another date chosen by the local church) for the purpose of receiving a Camping Weekend Offering; Encouraging participation in the 2024 summer camp season.
Saturday, May 4, 2024 to May 5
The offerings from Golden Cross and Red Stocking Sundays support the conference homes and agencies, formerly referred to as health and welfare ministries. Western PA Conference establish May 4-5, 2024or another date chosen by the local church for Golden Cross Weekend and that any weekend in Advent 2024 be established as the time for a Red Stocking Weekend and that a special offering be received in the local churches on these Sundays for the purpose of providing continued support to these ministries in the Annual Conference. Local churches are urged to use these Sundays as opportunities to share information concerning the extensive and vital ministries of these homes and agencies
Saturday, August 3, 2024 to August 4
Western PA Conference establish August 3-4, 2024 or another date chosen by the local church, for Rural Life Weekend and that a special offering be received in the local churches for the purpose of strengthening nurture, witness and outreach in town and rural areas. Local churches are urged to use this day to celebrate the rural heritage of The United Methodist Church, to recognize the needs of rural areas and to affirm the interdependence of rural and urban communities.
Saturday, August 10, 2024 to August 11
Disability Awareness Sunday, as defined by the 2016 Book of Discipline: “calls the Church to celebrate the gifts and graces of persons with disabilities and calls the Church and society to full inclusion of persons with disabilities in the community.” Western PA Conference established August 10 - 11, 2024, or another weekend chosen by the local church, to be designated as Disability Awareness Weekend and that a special offering may be received in local churches for promotion of awareness issues as well as ministries that provide opportunities for fuller inclusion of people with disabilities. Information concerning the observance of this Sunday will be provided to local churches upon request by the People With Disabilities Inclusion Ministry Team.
Saturday, September 7, 2024 to September 8
Western PA Conference establish September 7-8, 2024 or another date of the local church’s choosing for Christian Education Weekend and that a special offering be received in the local churches for the purpose of supporting the educational ministries of the Conference which include Training and Resources and Laity Scholarships. Local churches are urged to use this day as a time to celebrate their Christian Education ministries with events of appreciation and recognition of growth and learning as disciples of Jesus Christ
Saturday, September 21, 2024 to September 22
Local churches are encouraged to use this weekend, or another that they choose, to recognize and honor the retired clergy, their spouses, and the surviving spouses of clergy who continue to support the church in various and significant ways. This recognition may provide inspiration to those considering ministry. (This Sunday of recognition does not call for a special offering.)
Saturday, October 19, 2024 to October 20
Western PA Conference establish the 3rd weekend in October 2024, or another date chosen by the local church, for Volunteers in Mission Weekend and that a special offering be received in the local churches for the purpose of strengthening Volunteers in Mission engagement and participation. Local churches are urged to use this day on conjunction with Laity Sunday to celebrate those who used their God-given gifts to serve in short-term missions and the ways in which VIM mission teams are deepening of our sense of mutuality between different parts of our global connection.
Saturday, November 2, 2024 to November 3
The Western PA Conference set the first weekend in November, specifically November 2-3, 2024 or another date chosen by the local church, as Youth Service Fund Sunday and that a special offering be received in the local churches, for the purpose of supporting youth missions in our annual conference. Local churches will have informative bulletin inserts provided by the Conference Council on Youth Ministry. Local churches are urged to use this day to celebrate their youth and encourage youth involvement in missions through their church, district, and conference.
Sunday, December 1, 2024 to December 24
Any weekend during Advent, or another date selected by the local church, may be used to recognize and receive a special offering for support of the five regional mission agencies in Western Pennnsylvania. These agencies -- the Erie United Methodist Alliance, WPA Prison Outreach Ministries, Connellsville Area Community Ministries, Greater Pittsburgh Ministries, and Mission Barn -- extend the love of Christ to those who need shelter, food, clothing, skill-building support, and loving care. Their ministries engage large numbers of local United Methodist churches, individuals, and partner organizations and make a significant impact through witness, outreach, and work for justice. Additional funds received through special offerings will support their ongoing ministries to break the cycle of poverty, reduce homelessness, and provide hope for those struggling to survive. These additional gifts will help keep doors open, enabling us, as United Methodists in Western Pennsylvania, to remain faithful in serving even the least of these.
Sunday, December 1, 2024 to December 24
Any Sunday in Advent
be established as the time for a Red Stocking Weekend and that a special offering be received in the local churches on these Sundays for the purpose of providing continued support to these ministries in the Annual Conference. Local churches are urged to use these Sundays as opportunities to share information concerning the extensive and vital ministries of these homes and agencies.
The offerings from Golden Cross and Red Stocking Sundays support the conference homes and agencies, formerly referred to as health and welfare ministries.
Sunday, January 14, 2024
Celebrated on the Sunday before the observance of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr's birthday, Human Relations Day acknowledges the right of all God's children to reach their potential, and calls all of our churches to strengthen United Methodist outreach to communities in the United States through supporting social justice and work with at-risk youth.
Sunday, March 10, 2024
Offerings received on this Special Sunday, the fourth Sunday in Lent, provide major support of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), which provides immediate assistance in the wake of disasters and helps support ongoing ministries of food, shelter, health and peace. UMCOR Sunday allows 100 percent of designated gifts to be used for specified disaster response or other ministry.
For more information and resources click here.
Sunday, April 14, 2024
Native American Ministries Sunday, the third Sunday after Easter, serves to remind United Methodists of the gifts and contributions made by Native Americans to our society. The special offering supports Native American outreach within annual conferences and across the United States.
Sunday, May 26, 2024
The first Sunday after Pentecost; supports peace with justice ministries through the General Board of Church and Society and the annual conferences.
Sunday, October 6, 2024
The first Sunday in October; supports World Communion Scholarships, the Ethnic Scholarship Program and the Ethnic In-Service Training Program.
Sunday, November 24, 2024
The official date set to celebrate United Methodist Student Day is November 24, 2024 .
To call the church to support students as they prepare for life in uniting faith with knowledge; offering funds, scholarships and loans.
United Methodist Center
1204 Freedom Road - PO Box 5002
Cranberry Township, PA 16066
(724) 776-2300 | info@wpaumc.org
