In Today's Hotline: Read how UMCOR is responding to needs around the world:

SRI LANKA: BORN TO FISH

At a fishing village in Batticaloa, Sri Lanka, a group of fisherman discussed their successes and challenges following the 2004 tsunami and conflict. Many fishermen lost their homes and livelihoods, and were prevented from fishing during the conflict.

"I was born to fish," says Konamalai. UMCOR is helping Konamalai and many others like him to not only do what they were born to do, but to earn more at the same time.

UMCOR donated bicycles and coolers to allow the fishermen to take their catch directly to market. "Before, I had to sell my fish for 50 rupees on the beach," said one fisherman standing next to his UMCOR-donated bicycle. His profit doubles when he takes the fish to the market himself.

UMCOR is supplying several local fishing societies in Sri Lanka with nets, bicycles and coolers. Support this work by giving to Sri Lanka Relief and Development, UMCOR Advance 3020630.

US: MIRACLE CHOIR

Two years ago, Church World Service affiliates, Meridian UMC in Meridian, Idaho and Collister UMC in Boise, Idaho, welcomed refugee families from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to the US and into their congregation.

The families are survivors of the 2004 Gatumba Massacre. Rebel army forces attacked and killed many of the people living at the Burundi refugee camp.

While helping the families adjust to new life in the US, Meridian UMC also formed a gospel choir. "Everyone can feel the spirit and their love of God when they sing," said Mary Lynne Ball, refugee and immigration coordinator for the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference. The group chose to name themselves the "Miracle of God Singers" referring to the miracle of surviving the horrendous 2004 massacre.

For more information about sponsoring refugees contact, UMCORRefugee@gbgm-umc.org, or give to New Hope for Newcomers, UMCOR Advance #901779.

RESOURCES: REVERSE TRICK-OR-TREAT-CHURCH BULLETIN

The US spends more than $16 billion dollars a year on chocolate. Fifty percent of cocoa comes to the US from the Ivory Coast, West Africa--where children as young as five years old are trafficked into slavery and forced to work on cocoa farms.

This Halloween, UMCOR, the General Board of Church and Society and Equal Exchange are encouraging congregations to distribute fairly-traded chocolate through the Reverse Trick-Or-Treat campaign.

Encourage trick-or-treaters to pass out fair trade chocolate and United Methodist informational cards to every home they visit. This will help raise awareness about child labor problems in the cocoa industry and how fair trade certified chocolate provides a viable solution.

Download UMCOR's Fair Trade Chocolate bulletin or Power Point slide to learn more. Also visit Equal Exchange's Interfaith Store to place your order. For information about Reverse Trick-or-Treating visit www.reversetrickortreating.org, or give to UMCOR SA&D, UMCOR Advance #982188 which supports small scale farmers.

EVENT: NATIONAL DEPRESSION SCREENING DAY, OCT. 8

On Oct. 8, parish nurses and United Methodists congregations are invited to take part in the National Depression Screening Day (NDSD) Community Response Program to meet the social, physical, and mental needs of those suffering from depression, anxiety disorders, and more.

The National Depression Screening Day is a comprehensive program that provides organizations with tools to offer mental health screenings, detect disorders before they become serious, and educate their communities. A congregation may host an in-person mental health screening event or offer an online mental health screening.

Promote the positive mental health and wellbeing of your community by participating in this program. Download NDSD screening information or click here to register online.

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.