Celebrated on October 6, 2024
World Communion Sunday is one of the Special Offerings designated by the global United Methodist Church. This connectional giving supports work throughout the UMC by allowing offerings from our church to combine with offerings from United Methodist congregations from around the globe.
On World Communion Sunday your giving helps to support the division of chaplains and ministries, and the scholarship funds for international minority groups pursuing graduate-level education as part of their ministry call to serve God's world, all while celebrating the great thanksgiving and gift of communion.
Click the button below to go to our secure donation site, or send your donation by mail to St. Paul's UMC, Attn: Treasurer, 10401 Armory Ave., Kensington MD 20895. Checks should be made payable to St. Paul's UMC with "World Communion Sunday" in the memo line.
World Communion Sunday Offering
Grants and scholarships funded by World Communion Sunday make a difference around the world! Here are just a few stories the UMC shares about recipients whose faith and educational journeys were made possible through World Communion Sunday funding.
David Rangel, who grew up in a low-income neighborhood in Monterrey, Mexico, studied engineering but changed paths to attend seminary. With a World Communion scholarship, he went on to earn graduate degrees from Southern Methodist University (Perkins School of Theology). He developed targeted programs for Hispanic Latino ministry and founded the Spanish Language Leadership Institute.
https://www.umc.org/en/content/world-communion-sunday-scholarship-supports-ministry-legacy-wcs
Sarah Bless Sanchez-Maddela, whose scholarship is helping her to earn a doctorate in clinical psychology, grew up in the United Methodist Church in the Philippines. “I have seen the lack of mental health professionals in our province. ... When I was a youth leader, I saw the need for mental health ministry for young people because a lot of them are struggling with depression, anxiety, and trauma. I believe this is why God called me to this profession.”
https://www.umc.org/en/content/extending-the-table-on-world-communion-sunday-wcs
Ayra Indrias Patras, in Lahore, Pakistan, completed a Master's degree in International relations, then worked with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the area of women and minority rights. With a World Communion scholarship, she pursued her Ph.D. in Gender Studies to further her work advocating for women's rights.
https://www.umc.org/en/content/world-communion-sunday-scholarship-helps-student-pursue-phd-in-gender-stud-wcs
Obinneh T. Emeh grew up in the Methodist church in Nigeria and moved to the US to live with his aunt as a teenager. He was immediately embraced by her church, Grace United Methodist Church (Arlington, Texas). Emeh received an Ethnic Minority Scholarship, made possible through the World Communion Sunday offering. In 2017, he was majoring in engineering at Lamar University (Beaumont TX) and serving as a mentor for elementary and middle school students as part of the National Society of Black Engineers.
https://www.umc.org/en/content/engineering-a-better-future-wcs
Carileigh Jones is the granddaughter of a minister hailing from her hometown of Salisbury, Maryland. In 2016, her World Communion scholarship helped her attend Hampton University and train for law school. Her career goal is first, to become a victim's advocate, and second, to practice family law. She explained, "A huge part of the United Methodist [philosophy] includes giving back to the community... [and] helping people who may be less fortunate."
https://www.umc.org/en/content/future-lawyer-relies-on-faith-wcs