Special Offerings
SPC’s outreach program support many programs that benefit our neighbors locally, nationally, and internationally. But there are still charities that we would like to support that fall outside our annual budget. The special offerings listed below support programs that are lifted up by the Presbyterian Church (USA), Hunger Group, and Presbyterian Women. If you would like to support one of these specific programs or offerings, please go to the Ways to Give page and see the Designated Gifts section for instructions.
Presbyterian Church (USA) Offerings
Hunger Group Offerings
Presbyterian Women
Youth Summer Trip Scholarship
Per Capita
› Presbyterian Church (USA) Offerings
The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) has created church-wide opportunities each year called “Special Offerings” to support specific causes. The focuses of the offerings correspond with the season of the liturgical year or special days of the church calendar. All the ministries supported by these offerings represent priorities lifted up by the denomination.
SPC participates in the following three special offerings of the PC(USA). Appropriate links are given below to information on the PC(USA) website. Special offering envelopes are available in the church pews at the appropriate times of the year.
- Christmas Joy Offering: The Christmas Joy Offering has been a Presbyterian tradition for more than 70 years. Its proceeds benefit active and retired workers of the church in times of need and support the work of racial ethnic Presbyterian schools and colleges. This offering is generally received the Sunday before Christmas.For more information, go to: http://specialofferings.pcusa.org/christmasjoy
- One Great Hour of Sharing: Since 1949 One Great Hour of Sharing has helped people in need around the world. The offering supports Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Self-Development of People and the Presbyterian Hunger Program. This offering is received on or near Easter Sunday.For more information, go to: http://specialofferings.pcusa.org/oghs
- Peacemaking Offering: The Peacemaking Offering is distributed among local congregations (25 percent), presbyteries and synods (25 percent) and the General Assembly (50 percent) for peacemaking efforts. The offering is usually dedicated on World Communion Sunday, the first Sunday in October.For more information, go to: http://specialofferings.pcusa.org/peacemaking
› Hunger Group Offerings
Several endowment funds and annual donations provide resources to assist activities of SPC hunger-related projects. Each year about $5,000 is provided to various causes. Occasional bequests augment this.
- Change for Hunger: Through a program started many years ago by SPC member Fran Crosby, spare change is collected to contribute to hunger initiatives supported by the Presbytery of Philadelphia. Collection containers can be found in the church office and in the Pinkston Outreach Center in the Fellowship Hall lobby.
- Babymanna: Babymanna is a division of Philabundance, the largest outreach to the hungry in the five-county area in and around Philadelphia. Babymanna supplies baby formula and other baby needs to women and children. Although WIC (Women, Infants, Children) provides help with formula, it often falls short of meeting ongoing needs of low-income mothers and children. Babymanna helps to fill this gap.
- Family Promise/Interfaith Hospitality Network: IHN provides lodging and meals to local homeless families for 4 weeks each year. Most of the support is provided by volunteers from the congregation. Hunger Group supplements financially to cover the cost of food.
- Silliman Water Project: Silliman University, in the Philippines, where our mission co-worker Cobbie Palm serves as Director of Spiritual Formation at the Divinity School, now has a clean water processing station and training center on campus. The Hunger Group has recently allocated funds that will help provide clay pot filtration devices (and training on their use) appropriate for home use to families living in this area.
› Presbyterian Women Offerings
Financial contributions made to SPC’s chapter or Presbyterian Women supports a variety of international, national, and local charities, many of which address the needs of women and children. Your PW pledge will help to sustain programs and mission not supported by the SPC annual budget.
PW contributes to the two special offerings organized at the national level.
- Thank Offering: This offering supports hospitals, community health programs, and creative ideas for mission related to the health, education, economic development, and needs of women and children.
- Birthday Offering: This offering provides financial assistance to programs designated for disadvantaged and hurting persons that are not included in ongoing General Assembly mission support.
› Youth Summer Trip Scholarship Offering
There are good plans for several summer opportunities for our middle school and high school youth! If you have not followed the Summer trip posts in recent weeks, please see below. Generations of teens can testify that these experiences are transformative. To ensure that they are accessible to all, SPC has a Youth Summer Trip Scholarship fund, and invites your support. In the pews starting on Youth Sunday morning you will find special offering envelopes for contributions; these will be collected along with our regular Sunday offerings. We also welcome online contributions and checks mailed to the church office. If sending a check, please indicate “Youth Summer Trip fund” on the memo line. To access the online payment portal, click here.
› Youth Stock Sale
Youth mission trips are not simply an element of SPC’s youth program; they are an important ministry of the entire congregation. As such, the youth enlist the support of SPC members in numerous ways—as adult advisors and through prayer and financial support. Through the stock sale, SPC members and friends can purchase “stock” in a mission trip at the cost of $30 for an individual and $50 for a couple. The stock sale typically occurs in late spring. The holders of this stock are entitled to the following:
- A letter from the stock seller while in the middle of the mission trip. This letter is a chance for a youth and member or friend to share in the mission experience.
- An invitation to a stockholders’ brunch, held in the late summer/early fall, after delegations have returned. The brunch features visual presentations from the trips, first-hand accounts from the youth of their experience, and the finest cuisine available!
› Per Capita
Per capita is a payment that SPC makes to the greater church (through the Presbytery of Philadelphia) on behalf of each active (confirmed) member of our church. Per capita is a fundamental way in which all the nearly 11,000 congregations and mid-councils of the Presbyterian Church (USA) are connected and participate in the work of the wider church. As we benefit from the gifts, skills, vision, and ministry of each other here in SPC, so, too, we benefit from a wide array of gifts and ministries shared by Presbyterian brothers and sisters across the country.
2024’s per capita contribution is $32.00 per person. Per capita envelopes are mailed each year to all current members of SPC in May. If you need an envelope, please contact the Business office, or write “Per Capita” in the memo line of your check. Please note that children who are not confirmed are not yet considered full members of the congregation, and per capita does not apply to them.
For more information, go to: presbyphl.org/per-capita/
For a downloadable PDF click here: 2024 Per Capita Bulletin Insert
Upcoming Events
- April 20, 2024
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April 20, 20242:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Memorial Service (Sanctuary)
A Service of Witness to the Resurrection and Thanksgiving for the life of Charles Edward Gilbert.
Guests are invited to a reception in Fellowship Hall following the service. -
April 20, 20243:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Memorial Reception (Fellowship Hall)
Guests attending the memorial service for Chuck Gilbert are invited to greet the family, share remembrances, and enjoy some refreshments at a reception in Fellowship Hall.
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- April 21, 2024
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April 21, 20248:00 am - 9:00 am
Early Worship (Loeffler Chapel)
This 45-minute service allows worshippers to engage with scripture through guided discussion in lieu of a sermon. Communion is served on the 1st Sunday of each month.
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April 21, 20249:30 am - 10:00 am
Choir rehearsal (Sanctuary)
Sunday morning preparation for worship
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- April 24, 2024
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April 24, 20247:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Grief Support Group (Study)
Facilitated by Barbara Sorin. For information or to consider being part of this group, please contact Barbara directly.
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- April 25, 2024
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April 25, 202410:15 am - 11:15 am
Bell Choir rehearsal (Loeffler Chapel)
Weekly rehearsals to prepare music for sharing in worship once a month.
Interested? Contact Minister of Music, Meghan Meloy Ness. -
April 25, 20247:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Chancel Choir Rehearsal (Fellowship Hall)
Weekly rehearsal to prepare for music for offering in worship Sunday mornings. New singers always welcome!
Led by Minister of Music, Meghan Meloy Ness.
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