FROM THE FIELD
In Today's Hotline:
Hurricane Ike made its devastating landfall in Galveston, Tex., and along the Gulf Coast on Sept. 12, forcing many people into temporary shelters and leaving about 1.5 million people without power. Hurricane Ike caused severe damage to homes, businesses and communitiesmaking it the largest recovery effort in the state's history.
Sam Dixon, UMCOR's top executive, said "While we do not know the full extent of the people's needs in Texas, UMCOR, will work quickly to understand and respond and begin the process to help people rebuild their lives." UMCOR is in contact with affected annual conferences and is making assessments for long-term recovery work. UMCOR's domestic disaster response staff has been deployed to assist in the recovery.
Help storm survivors by sending much-needed flood bucket supplies. Visit UMCOR's Relief Supplies webpage for more information. Download Hurricanes 2008 church bulletin for ways you can help serve affected communities or share this bulletin with your local church and collect a special offering. You can also give to Hurricanes 2008, UMCOR Advance #3019695.
UMCOR is working through its office in Cap Haitien and through partner, Action by Churches Together to respond to those most affected by Hurricanes Fay, Hanna, Gustav and Ikeincluding children.
UMCOR is bringing emergency relief to 500 orphaned or hurricane-affected children in Cabaret, north of Port-au-Prince, where recent hurricanes caused massive floods and destroyed communities. UMCOR Haiti is working with the Mayor's office in Cabaret, the office of Civil Action and the Methodist staff to distribute food packages, hygiene kits and small toys which will help alleviate trauma experienced by the children.
Based on Haiti's ongoing needs assessments, UMCOR Haiti will provide families and displaced individuals with a variety of assistance packages such as long-term access to potable water, cash for work activities to help clean up the affected areas, school kits for school age children, cook stoves and building materials to help families rebuild. Please give to Haiti Emergency, UMCOR Advance #418325.
PHILIPPINES: HELPING THE DISPLACED
UMCOR is helping the Davao Episcopal Area, Northwest Mindanao Annual Conference and the Philippines UMC respond to recent violent uprisings involving government groups and separatists movements in the Mindanao region of the Philippines. The conflict has forced hundreds of thousands of local residents from their homes in an effort to find safety.
UMCOR is responding with a grant that will help displaced people affected by the violence in the Colambugan, Malaran and Malabang regions. UMCOR will assist with food, clothing, medicines, and housing materials to help the most vulnerable.
You can help contribute to this response by giving to International Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #982450.
CUBA: UMCOR'S LICENSE TO TRANSFER FUNDS
UMCOR and most other US-based church-related humanitarian organizations are prohibited by federal law from transferring funds to Cuba that could assist survivors of recent disasters such as Hurricane Gustav and Ike. UMCOR's license to transfer funds for humanitarian purposes to Cuba expired in 2006, when the federal government failed to renew its license.
Efforts to renew the license have not been successful to date. However, an effort is being made through legal counsel to request a temporary license to respond to the great humanitarian needs caused by the hurricanes through the Methodist Church of Cuba.
Efforts to renew the license have not been successful to date. However, an effort is being made through legal counsel to request a temporary license to respond to the great humanitarian needs caused by the hurricanes through the Methodist Church of Cuba.
Methodists in Cuba have responded to the damage done by hurricanes, although they are severely limited in their financial capacity. Reports on this work of the Methodist Church of Cuba can be found in Spanish and English on the church's internet site at http://imecu.org/index.php.
EVENT: CHANGE THE WORLD CONFERENCE
UMCOR is a sponsor for the upcoming Change the World Conference at Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church, October 24-25, 2008 in Tipp City, Ohio.
The conference focuses on engaging the church in the world through mission and ministry. Adam Hamilton, pastor of Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kan.; Brian McLauren, evangelist and preacher; Jim Wallis, author, speaker and international commentator on public life, faith and politics; and Mike Slaughter, pastor of Ginghamsbug United Methodist Church will be the keynote speakers at the two-day conference.
Nearly 30 "breakout sessions" or workshops are offered, including two led by UMCOR staff. A high school track and a Ministry by Strengths intensive are also available during the conference. Learn more and register at www.ginghamsburgglobal.org.
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 at givetomission.org. UMCOR is exempt from tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States and qualifies for the maximum charitable contribution deduction by donors.
United 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. ]
