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Offering unites church and community

BY LARRY HYGH JR.
UMCONNECTION STAFF

United Methodists from across the connection can help bridge the gap between church and community by participating in the Human Relations Day offering.

Human Relations Day is one of the denominations six special Sundays. It will be observed on Jan. 20, the Sunday before the national observance of Martin Luther King Jr.s birthday.

The offering for Human Relations Day supports three programs. The Community Developers Program of the General Board of Global Ministries receives 57 percent of the offering; 33 percent goes to support the United Methodist Voluntary Service Program, also administered by the global ministries board. The remaining 10 percent goes to support the Youth Offender Rehabilitation Program, administered by the General Board of Church and Society.

A.P. Shaw UMC in southeast Washington, D.C., has received funds from the Human Relations Day offering and is looking forward to receiving an additional grant in 2002 to fund tutoring and an after-school program for children in the community, said Gayle Hebron, a community developer.

Human Relations Day is an effort that looks at all ethnic backgrounds, all churches and brings them together around an issue and that is to serve and empower the community, Hebron said. It develops ministries that didnt necessarily exist and also supports those in existence.

A.P. Shaw has been working to bring business into their community. The offering helps because it allows for neighborhood development. Its bridging the gap between the church and the community, Hebron said. 

A.P. Shaws other ministries to the community include: an HIV/AIDS program to assist men, women and children in coping with the disease, and a prison ministry that helps at-risk youth released from detention centers transition back into the community.

Human Relations Day was established by the 1972 General Conference. According to the 2000 Book of Discipline, this Sunday occurs during Epiphany, the season of manifesting Gods light to the world. It calls the church to recognize the right of all Gods children to realize their potential as human beings in relationship with each other. 

Last year churches in the Baltimore-Washington Conference contributed $24,693 to the Human Relations Day offering.