As part of the Presbyterian Church (USA) family, Mission Bay Community Church has many opportunities to participate in ministries far beyond our own local community and congregational strength. Through what we call Special Offerings, we can partner with other churches in our denomination to help share the love and life of Jesus Christ with many beyond our immediate area.
Below are brief descriptions of the four annual Special Offerings
Christmas Joy OfferingPresbyterians have long celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ by giving generously to a Christmas season offering. Fifty percent of the receipts from 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 the eight Presbyterian-related racial/ ethnic schools and colleges through the National Ministries Division of the General Assembly Council.
Peacemaking OfferingChristians are called as Christ's people to be God's peacemakers as agents of reconciliation in families, individual lives, communities, churches, the international arena, and the whole of creation. Peacemaking is the human response to the divine gift of peacegiving. The Peacemaking Offering supports the peacemaking efforts of the church at every governing body level and provides an opportunity to witness to God's gift of peace in the world.
In order to help the whole church respond to God's peacegiving in the world, 25 percent of the Peacemaking Offering is retained by congregations for their support of their own peacemaking ministry; 25 percent is used to support presbytery and synod peacemaking efforts; 50 percent is forwarded to the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program of the General Assembly so that it can continue to provide assistance and resources for congregations and other bodies of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
2003 Recipient - The Near East School of Theology, Beirut, Lebanon
2004 Recipient - The Near East School of Theology, Beirut
Pentecost OfferingOne of the four special offerings of the PC(USA), the Pentecost Offering was first received by congregations in 1998. Its gifts provide nurture and hope to young members of God's family. Congregations keep 40 percent of the Offering to support work on behalf of children at risk. The General Assembly invests its share of 60 percent in the church through faith-focused ministries with youth and young adults and through programs that benefit children at risk in this country and around the world.
2003 Recipient - "The Edge" Campus Ministry @ SF State
2004 Recipient - Youth With a Mission, San Francisco
One Great Hour of Sharing OfferingSince 1949, Presbyterians have joined with millions of other Christians through One Great Hour of Sharing to share God's love with people experiencing need. Our gifts support ministries of disaster response, refugee assistance and resettlement, and community development that help people find safe refuge, start new lives, and work together to strengthen their families and communities. Recognizing that the hope we have in Christis lived out in our hope for one another, we respond with gifts that help our sisters and brothers around the world find the hope for a brighter future.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance receives 36 percent of undesignated One Great Hour of Sharing gifts, while Self-Development of People and the Presbyterian Hunger Program each receives 32 percent. Most congregations receive the offering on Easter Sunday, Palm Sunday, or both, while many receive it throughout Lent.
