FROM THE FIELD
In Today's Hotline:
US: UMCOR RESPONDS TO "SUPER TUESDAY" TORNADOES
UMCOR is responding to devastating tornadoes that struck five southern states - Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee on Tuesday Feb. 5. Early response teams are helping in the massive debris cleanup and UMCOR is working with regional church partners to bring relief where it is needed most.
In a release issued by UMCOR on Feb. 7, Bishop Felton E. May, interim general secretary of the General Board of Global Ministries that includes UMCOR expressed, "I cannot possibly feel or understand everything that our sisters and brothers in the stricken areas are experiencing. We do want them to know that we care. Ways in which we demonstrate our caring are through our gifts to UMCOR, our presence, and our prayers."
The tornadoes, considered to be the worst outbreak in nearly 25 years, stormed through the southern states on "Super Tuesday", the day of many state presidential primaries. Dozens of people were killed and many more injured or trapped under debris. Thousands of homes were destroyed. Please pray and give to Domestic Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #901670 and indicate "Super Tuesday" Tornadoes in your giving.
The medical supply storage areas of several hospitals in the Democratic Republic of Congo are now better stocked, thanks to the collaborative effort of several diverse organizations, including UMCOR, which served as the delivery agency. Medicines worth $14 million were delivered via airlift to Kinshasa on Feb. 2 and will aid hundreds of people in need.
Collaborators in the medical airlift were St. Paul's School of Theology, Kansas City, Mo.; The United Methodist Church of North Katanga; US Department of Defense; Islamic Relief USA; United Methodist Committee on Relief(UMCOR); and Interchurch Medical Assistance (IMA).
Since 1999, UMCOR has worked in the Katanga region of the DRC, an area heavily affected by warfare. Continue to support programs like these by giving to DRC Emergency, UMCOR Advance #198400.
UMCOR is striving to promote peace among students of different faiths in Jerusalem. Through the Violence Prevention Plan for Schools, operated by the Jerusalem International YMCA, walls of indifference are beginning to break down.
The Violence Prevention Plan helps to strengthen the school environment for children of Christian and Muslim faiths as well as teachers and staff. The program increases awareness on issues such as security and interfaith acceptance and teaches non-violent alternatives in handling conflicts. Students learn to get along through a variety of interactive group activities that foster positive communication and listening skills. The students freely express their fears or concerns while learning how to engage in conflict resolution and work together in teams.
Your gifts can help children of all faiths identify with one another and promote healthier and safer school environments. Please give to UMCOR Advance #601740, Middle East Emergency
UMCOR provides emergency relief in many areas of the world. To find out more about UMCOR's ministries, please visit umcor.org. You can donate to any project by placing a contribution in the offering plate at a local United
Methodist church; by sending a check to UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068; or by calling 1-800-554-8583, where credit card donations are accepted. You can also give online atUnited Methodist Committee on Relief
General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church
Room 330, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115
Voice Phone: 1-212-870-3816; FAX: 1-212-870-3624
Email: umcor@gbgm-umc.org
Web: http://www.umcor.org
UMCOR. Be There. Be Hope.
UMCOR's mission is to alleviate human suffering-whether caused by war, conflict, or natural disaster-with open minds and hearts to all people.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
