In Today's Hotline:

• UGANDA: Hope and Relief for Kenya Refugees
• US: Katrina Volunteers Show Continued Support
• RESOURCES: Satisfying Hunger in Armenia - New Report to Donors

KENYA: HOPE AND RELIEF FOR KENYA REFUGEESr

In a recent visit to Busia, Uganda, where more than 1,000 Kenyans are seeking refuge in a primary school following the Kenya conflict, Bishop Felton E. May, the General Board of Global Ministries' top executive, oversaw the handover of some $50,000 in relief supplies to the local Red Cross. Bishop May also addressed the people of Kenya and provided them much-needed spiritual encouragement.

The supplies, given through UMCOR and distributed by The Ugandan Red Cross to those living at the Busia camp, included items such as plates, saucepans, basins, jerrycans along with staple food supplies to help families meet their day-to-day needs.

UMCOR's response to the crisis in Kenya included support for the East Africa Annual Conference, the Methodist Church in Kenya and Action by Churches Together partners working in the region. Visit www.umcor.org to read the full story. You can also send your gifts to International Disaster Response - Kenya, UMCOR Advance 982450.

US: KATRINA VOLUNTEERS SHOW CONTINUED SUPPORT

Long after damaging hurricanes stuck the Gulf Coast during 2004 and 2005, volunteers for the Mississippi United Methodist Katrina Recovery continue to roll in and pitch in - responding with unprecedented generosity to the rebuilding efforts.

"We are completely booked with volunteers through August of this year and the remainder of the year is steadily filling up - a true witness to your commitment, stated Robert Sharp, coordinator, in a Katrina Recovery update report. "We encourage returning and continuing teams to begin to look at 2009 for dates," he continued. "Work is steady, and new cases continue to come in. God willing, our task of healing hearts and homes will go on for some time."

Rebuilding and healing efforts are continuing along the Gulf Coast from Texas to Florida, and additional volunteers are needed. Contact your jurisdictional Volunteer in Mission coordinator for more information. To support the ongoing efforts in domestic disaster response, please give generously to Domestic Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #901670.

RESOURCES: SATISFYING HUNGER IN ARMENIA - NEW REPORT TO DONORS

Through UMCOR's Cheese Distribution in Armenia and its food security program, supported by Foods Resource Bank - a United Methodist-founded organization - the diets of over 7,000 people living in orphanages, retirement homes, hospitals, boarding schools, and more are being supplemented.

Schools and other institutions are also receiving training, agricultural supplies and cows for milk. Today, these institutions are able to grow and process their own food as well as give children life skills for the future. Visit www.umcor.org to download the full donor report and to learn more about how your gifts are helping UMCOR bring hope to Armenia. Continue to support programs like these by giving to Armenia Emergency, UMCOR Advance 250225.

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.