FROM THE FIELD
In Today's Hotline:
On Jan 29, a massive winter storm system froze US states from Texas to Maine and into Canada, causing millions of homes across the Midwest to be without power and water. UMCOR is responding with emergency grants to help the Arkansas, Kentucky and Memphis Annual Conferences provide relief and recovery. Early Response Teams are being dispatched to assist where needed.
In Northwest Arkansas, schools and businesses completely shut down and many roads were blocked with trees weighed down by ice. Local congregations are providing meals and a warm place for the community and volunteers are calling from across the jurisdiction to lend a helping hand.
In Kentucky, the ice storm was considered the worst natural disaster to hit the state with South Central and Western Kentucky hardest hit. Nearly 400,000 residents are without electricity and water. You can support the Midwest during this winter freeze by giving to Domestic Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #901670.
Humanitarian organizations are stepping in to respond to the needs of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip. About 1.5 million people in Gaza are lacking food, fuel, water, shelter and medical supplies.
UMCOR is supporting Action By Churches Together to deliver emergency supplies. Last week, ACT partners delivered high energy biscuits to Al-Ahli hospital giving nourishment to 50,000 children and lactating mothers who have sought refuge in United Nations schools.
UMCOR is working with ACT and Muslim Aid partners to provide post crisis relief such as job support, psychosocial assistance, food supplements, water, medicines, medical supplies and more. You can support this work by giving to Middle East Emergency, UMCOR Advance #601740.
US: SUPPORT FAIR TRADE THROUGH ECO-PALMS
By purchasing Eco-Palms for Palm Sunday on April 5, you help families in Guatemala and Mexico receive fair wages. Palm harvesters sort and package their own palms rather than relying on a contractor.
UMCOR's partnership with the University of Minnesota supports the Eco-Palm Project, sustaining forestry, protecting local jobs and preserving the livelihoods of small-scale farmers.
United Methodists are encouraged to support this social and environmental justice project. Visit www.ecopalms.org and place your order online. The deadline for ordering Eco-Palms is March 2. You may also download the latest Eco-Palm Sunday church bulletin or power point slide to share with your local congregation. Please also give to UMCOR-SA&D, Advance #982188 which supports small-scale farmers.
Chuma*, a 13 year-old boy from Zimbabwe, fled to South Africa to escape the violence of his hometown after witnessing the murder of his father and two step-mothers. He found safety and hope at the UMCOR-supported Central Methodist Mission in Johannesburg, South Africa. There, Chuma received the much-needed trauma counseling, pastoral support, food, shelter, medical services and schooling to help him heal and begin life again.
UMCOR is a major contributor to the ministry and work of Central Methodist Mission providing a safe haven for over 2,000 refugees who fled harsh treatment, political persecution or violent land seizures. Please support the Central Methodist Mission to accommodate the growing number of refugees that arrive daily. Give to South Africa, Undesignated, UMCOR Advance # 00393A
UMCOR: ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING
Gifts to the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering allow UMCOR to be a good steward of God's gifts while meeting daily needs all around the world. Gifts to this offering underwrite UMCOR's costs of doing business, ensuring that 100 percent of gifts for specific projects go directly to the people in need.
One Great Hour of Sharing is March 22, 2009. Download the One Great Hour of Sharing church bulletin to share with your local congregation and collect a special offering on Sundays.
Offerings to this fund can be made throughout the entire year. Please give now.
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. ]
Refugees & displacement
Working in Relief
Palestinian territories
South Africa
United States of America
