August 29, 2003: Last month, Typhoon Harurut struck the Isabela and Mountain Provinces of the Philippines. The crops, people's livelihood and source of nutrition, have been destroyed. United Methodist congregations are helping the people in their communities by distributing groceries to those most in need. You can help these neighbors by contributing to the Philippines Emergency Advance #240235.
UMCOR recently sent a grant to the Western Pennsylvania Conference to help in recovery from late July flooding. UMCOR is at work in several areas of the United States. Many United Methodists have responded to domestic disasters through gifts of time and effort as well as money. UMCOR is grateful for this help on behalf of those affected. Needs continue. Please give to the Domestic Disaster Response Advance #901670.
Humanitarian aid is finally flowing into Liberia. As UMCOR resumes its work there, the need is especially critical for the basics-- food, water, fuel, shelter and medicine. Aid brings hope to a people who have often felt abandoned by the international community. You can help support relief efforts in this country by giving to the Liberia Emergency Advance #150300. Thank you for your generous gifts.
As a way of focusing on the real meaning of Christmas and countering the marketing blizzard of the upcoming holiday season, order Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway? An Advent and Christmas Resource for Families and Churches. The resources in the booklet provide an especially good way to help children understand the real meaning of Christmas. Included also is "UMCOR's Christmas Wish List," which puts some of our ongoing programs into "gift" sizes for anyone's budget. Order the catalogue by calling 1-800-305-9857. Additional resources are online at: http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/whose.stm.
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. 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.
And, please pray for those who are hungry, displaced, sick or in poverty because of these and other natural and human-made disasters, and for the workers who minister to them.
