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In Today's Hotline:Read how UMCOR is responding to needs around the world: ZIMBABWE: More Relief Arrives; KENYA: Hope for Orphans; UMCOR: UMCOR Hires Executive for Salt Lake City; US: Eco-Palms Help Rural Communities; RESOURCES: One Great Hour of Sharing
The latest shipment of UMCOR relief supplies has just arrived at the Mutare United Methodist Church in Zimbabwe under the watchful care of the Rev. LLoyd T. Nyarota. A container of 35 Medicine Boxes, 14,112 school kits, books and a microscope for three United Methodist hospitals, will make their way to those most in need, particularly school children and communities impacted by cholera.
Thanks to an in-kind donation from UMCOR partner Muslim Aid, additional supplies of approximately one million anti-fungal medicine tablets to treat people with AIDS and water filters that can filter up to 900,000 gallons of water, will be distributed to local communities. The plastic water filters be distributed immediately in Zimbabwe's Masvingo District, where cholera cases are widespread.
You can support this lifesaving effort by giving to Zimbabwe Emergency, UMCOR Advance #199456.
In places like Kenya, children who lose their parents to HIV/AIDS, are often left homeless and wandering the streets looking for food. UMCOR Health is supporting Children of Africa Hope Center in Kenya to care for children who have been orphaned by meeting their basic needs and providing a well-rounded educational experience.
Children of Africa Hope Center provides food, clothing, counseling, shelter, medical care and education to 100 vulnerable children in the slums of Ngando, Nairobi near Riruta. The children are introduced to music, drama, swimming and games to encourage their unique abilities, while receiving much-needed nurturing and pastoral counseling support.
Please support programs like these and give AIDS orphans a hope for tomorrow by giving to United Methodist Global AIDS Fund, UMCOR Advance #982345.
UMCOR: UMCOR HIRES EXECUTIVE FOR SALT LAKE CITY
UMCOR has hired the Rev. Brian Diggs to help direct the ministry of the newly opened Western Jurisdiction Office in Salt Lake City, Utah. The new office will serve as a material resources depot to assemble and store UMCOR relief supply kits.
Rev. Diggs is a life-long United Methodist who served as the pastor at the First United Methodist Church of Salt Lake City for ten years where he helped to develop urban and global outreach ministries.
"I am very happy that Brian is coming on board," said Rev. Dixon. "His ties to the community, experience with the United Methodist Church and commitment to UMCOR's values will be a great benefit to the organization as we expand our reach through the Western Jurisdiction office."
If you are interested in volunteering to paint or clean the new depot, please contact Rev. Diggs at 801-973-7250 or email WestDepot@UMCOR.org. You can also help stock the new depot by giving to Material Resources, UMCOR Advance #901440.
US: ECO-PALMS HELP RURAL COMMUNITIES
Harvesting palm products is an important source of income for many families in rural communities in Guatemala and Mexico. Eco-Palm harvesting provides the supplemental income they need to support their families and pay for school fees for their children.
Eco-Palms are also sustainable. Harvesters are paid on the quality of the palms rather than the quantity which limits the amount of palms taken from the forest. In addition, rather than sending the harvested palms off to a distant warehouse for sorting and packaging, the community members sell their own palms directly rather than relying on a contractor, keeping more money in the community.
It's not too late to order your Eco-Palms for Palm Sunday, April 5. Credit card orders will be accepted through March 9. Place your order online today at www.ecopalms.org or call Josh Gamble at 612-624-7418. You can also give to UMCOR-SA&D, Advance #982188.
RESOURCES: ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING
One Great Hour of Sharing is March 22. United Methodists are encouraged to use the available resources below to help your congregation participate in the offering:
Download One Great Hour of Sharing's church bulletin or full-color poster to share with your local congregation.
Order One Great Hour of Sharing offering envelopes for the small cost of shipping, and collect a special offering on Sundays. You can do this by speaking with a customer service representative by calling 1-888-346-3862.
Download UMCOR's new One Great Hour of Sharing video which highlights examples of how this offering allows needs to be met around the world. Show this video presentation to your local congregation.
Email your request for resources to: csc@umcom.org, or for additional support materials, please click here.
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. 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. ]
