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In Today's Hotline:
- ZIMBABWE: UMCOR Responds to Needs In Politically Charged Zimbabwe
- US: Small Churches Doing Big Ministries
- WORLDWIDE: Resources Addressing the Food Crisis
- SAGER BROWN: Depot of Hope
- WORLDWIDE: World Refugee Day is June 20
ZIMBABWE: UMCOR Responds to Needs In Politically Charged Zimbabwe
UMCOR responded to the need for humanitarian aid in politically-charged Zimbabwe by assisting a partner organization working on the ground. Because of the high cost of fuel, UMCOR is helping with funds to transport food and medicine to areas most affected by food shortages and politically-related violence.
"As in Myanmar where politics intervened in a humanitarian crisis, we are poised and ready to respond fully when the government releases its restrictions" said Sam Dixon, UMCOR's top executive. "In the meantime, we are working directly with partners on the ground. They are coordinating with their local network to provide humanitarian assistance."
In addition to continued prayers, people wishing to help may send financial gifts to UMCOR Advance #199456, Zimbabwe Emergency. 100% of this and any designated gift goes to its intended project. No funds are used for UMCOR's administrative costs.
US: Small Churches Doing Big Ministries
When wildfires swept through Palm Bay, Brevard County on the east coast of Florida in early May, the Florida Disaster Recovery Ministry, an UMCOR partner, worked with local churches, the Atlantic-Central district, staff and many volunteers to respond.
Fellowship United Methodist Church stepped up to the emergency, "on fire for Jesus." "We showed that small churches can do big ministries," explained pastor Shirley Groom.
St. Paul's UMC brought sandwiches for lunch and Sun Tree UMC delivered a full dinner. Fellowship UMC then became the distribution point for water, food and other supplies for the area. At final count, the emergency relief managed through Fellowship UMC assisted 3,378 persons representing 401 families.
According to the Florida Division of Forestry, this is the peak of wildfire season. At the time of the wildfires in Palm Bay, fire officials were battling 90 fires around the state. The fires in Brevard County burned nearly 10,000 acres, destroying 30 homes and damaging 120.
To help those affected by spring storms and wildfires, make a gift to Domestic Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance # 901670.
WORLDWIDE: Resources Addressing the Food Crisis
In the midst of what is being called a "perfect storm" for a worldwide food crisis, the United Methodist Committee on Relief is there. Helping vulnerable survivors of war or natural disaster become food secure is a key part of UMCOR's work throughout the world.
All of UMCOR's field offices have food security programs as an element of their work. Another program, UMCOR's Sustainable Agriculture and Development Program helps small-scale farmers in Africa learn new techniques for growing their food. They learn how to grow more food for less money or how to grow and process newand more nutritiouscrops. They forge farmer-to-farmer relationships that often develop into collaborative efforts.
Financial gifts to Global Food Crisis, UMCOR Advance # 3019696 will ensure that these important programs can continue at the same or increased levels as costs and needs continue to multiply. This Advance will also support new programs to help those most vulnerable to hunger because of the crisis.
The Sager Brown campus has been a beacon of hope in Southern Louisiana for more than 140 years. Originally a school and orphanage, today it is a relief supply center that sends health, flood, sewing, layette and other kits to people in need around the world
UMCOR's most recent DVD tells the story of UMCOR Sager Brown and provides additional resources for those who want to participate in its ministries. In addition to an informational video about UMCOR Sager Brown, the DVD has three short instructional videos illustrating how to assemble health, school and layette kits. The DVD also includes instruction sheets for each kit in addition to sewing patterns for layettes and school bags, and information about volunteering at the Baldwin, Louisiana campus
Order your free DVD today by sending an email with your name and mailing address to umcor@gbgm-umc.org. You can also support this ministry by giving to Material Resources, UMCOR Advance #901440.
WORLDWIDE: World Refugee Day is June 20
At the end of 2007 there were 13.9 million refugees in the world, according to the World Refugee Survey. Nearly 9 million of them had lived in refugee camps for at least 5 years. These are the staggering statistics facing a large number of people in our world.
Each year on World Refugee Day people everywhere remember and reflect on the challenges and hopes that accompany refugees in their search for a new home through voluntary repatriation, local integration or resettlement.
UMCOR encourages congregations to observe World Refugee Day on June 20 or a day close to that date. You can print and download the World Refugee Day bulletin insert as a resource for this event.
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. ]
