Special Sundays with Offerings

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.

 

Special Sunday Information:

Conference Special Sundays
General Church Special Sundays

Conference Special Sundays (WPAUMC)

Golden Cross Weekend

Saturday, May 6, 2023 to May 7

Both the Golden Cross and Red Stocking weekends offer an opportunity to highlight and support United Methodist-related homes and agencies in Western PA. Special offerings received in the local churches provide support to those homes and mission agencies. Red Stocking weekend is during Advent.


Rural Life Weekend

Saturday, August 5, 2023 to August 6

Churches are encouraged 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. A special offering may be received in the local churches for the purpose of strengthening nurture, witness and outreach in town and rural areas in Western PA.


Disability Awareness Weekend

Saturday, August 12, 2023 to August 13

The United Methodist Social Principles call the Church to celebrate the gifts and graces of persons with disabilities and support full inclusion of persons with disabilities in the community. Offerings received are used to promote awareness of issues, as well as ministries that provide opportunities for fuller inclusion of people with disabilities. In this Annual Conference they have been used for ministries as defined by the Discipline: “to promote the work of creating architectural and attitudinal accessibility in local churches” Information concerning the observance of this Sunday will be provided to local churches upon request by the People With Disabilities Inclusion Ministry Team.  


Christian Education Weekend

Saturday, September 2, 2023 to September 3

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. Special offering received in the local churches support the educational ministries of the Conference, which include Training and Resources and Laity Scholarships.


Retired Clergy Weekend

Saturday, September 16, 2023 to September 17

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.) 


Volunteers in Mission Awareness/Recognition Weekend

Saturday, October 14, 2023 to October 15

Local churches are urged to use this day in conjunction with Laity Sunday to celebrate those who used their God-given gifts to serve in short-term mission work and highlight the ways in which VIM mission teams are deepening of our sense of mutuality between different parts of our global connection. Special offerings received will be used in Western PA to strengthening Volunteers in Mission engagement and participation.


Youth Service Fund Weekend

Saturday, November 4, 2023 to November 5

Youth Service Fund Weekend provides an opportunity for local churches to highlight the ministry carried out through YSF and receive a special offering in support of WPAUMC youth missions. It is a good time to celebrate church youth and encourage youth involvement in missions through the church, district, and Conference and beyond.  The Youth Service Fund of the Western PA Conference has financially assisted many youth programs in our Conference, our nation, and our world. 


Doorways to Hope at Home

Sunday, November 26, 2023 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 six regional mission agencies in Western Pennnsylvania. These agencies -- the Erie United Methodist Alliance, United Methodist Human Services of Johnstown, WPA Prison Outreach Ministries, Connellsville Area Community Ministries, Greater Pittsburgh Ministries, and Eastbrook 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.


Red Stocking Weekend

Sunday, November 26, 2023 to December 24

Any Sunday in Advent
Like the Golden Cross weekend listed above, offerings received for Red Stocking weekend support the ministries of the six regional mission agencies.


General Church Special Sundays

Native American Ministries Sunday

Sunday, April 23, 2023




Celebrating Native American Sunday reminds United Methodists of the contributions made by Native Americans to our society. The special offering benefits Native American outreach within annual conferences and across the United States and provides seminary scholarships for Native Americans. It helps to equip and empower Native American pastors, congregations and seminary students to authentically worship and serve Jesus as only they can in their communities.

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Peace with Justice Sunday

Sunday, June 4, 2023

The first Sunday after Pentecost; supports peace with justice ministries through the General Board of Church and Society and the annual conferences.


World Communion Sunday

Sunday, October 1, 2023

The first Sunday in October; supports World Communion Scholarships, the Ethnic Scholarship Program and the Ethnic In-Service Training Program.


United Methodist Student Sunday

Sunday, November 26, 2023

The last Sunday of November supports United Methodist scholarships and the United Methodist student loan fund.