November 14, 2003: Because of the generosity of many United Methodists-- individuals, congregations and annual conferences-- the most vulnerable around the globe receive the basic necessities. Thank you for your gifts of money, presence, pastoral care and supplies.
Heavy rains caused evacuations in parts of West Virginia and Ohio and tornado-like winds struck the Wooster, Ohio, area this past week. Flooding closed schools in four West Virginia counties and three counties in southeastern Ohio because of water on roads. Residential damage is unknown. With your generous gift to Domestic Disaster Response Advance #901670, you can participate in recovery efforts.
Residents in Southern California's burned hills, denuded by wildfires, now face new hazards. As cool weather and rains arrive, there is a high risk of mudslides, debris landslides and flash floods. UMCOR's emergency grant to the California-Pacific Annual Conference is helping to provide basic necessities to burned-out families. You can help, with a contribution to UMCOR's Advance for Domestic Disasters #901670. Designate your gift for "California Wildfires."
"Hands-on" ministries from volunteers continue to be important to people in Texas and the Eastern Seaboard, raked by flood and hurricane this fall. If your church group can donate flood buckets-- supplies volunteers use to clean flood-damaged sites-- you can find the specifications online at http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/kits.cfm or call 1-800-814-8765. If you can participate directly in cleanup efforts, please call the UMCOR Volunteer Hotline, 1-800-918-3100. UMCOR is also grateful for generous donations to Hurricanes 2003 Advance #982438 that will extend your heart and hands to those who need help the most in all these areas devastated by flood and hurricane.
With no political solution in sight, the suffering in the Holy Land continues. Many families in the city of Bethlehem, with its 60% unemployment levels and continued travel restrictions, are considering abandoning their ancestral homes and lands. For the holidays the Shepherd Society and Bethlehem Bible College are offering hope and comfort to 500 families and individuals in Bethlehem by handing out food baskets at Christmas. These will not only provide needed food but will help recipients know that they have not been forgotten by their sisters and brothers in the church overseas. The cost of one basket is $50 and a Christmas message will be included in each. Please help provide a family in Bethlehem with a Christmas basket by giving to Middle East Emergency Advance #601740-- and designate "Christmas Food Basket."
Support UMCOR's programs by sending Christmas cards to friends and family. Sets of twelve cards (four designs) and envelopes can be ordered for $10.00 plus shipping-- only $2 for orders up to $20. Two series of cards are available-- one based on scripture from Isaiah 35, the other on mothers and children. Look for a chart of shipping charges and an order form online or call 1-800-554-8583 to place your order.
UMCOR provides emergency relief in many areas of the world. You can stay informed even during the holidays. UMCOR Hotline will publish its various formats as usual on Friday, Nov. 21. During Thanksgiving week, you'll find a Hotline update on Wednesday, Nov. 26. The following week, Dec. 5, the Hotline will return to its usual Friday release.
To find out more about UMCOR's ministries and to make a secure online gift, please visit the website: http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/. Gifts may also be made by placing a contribution in the offering plate at a local United Methodist church; by sending a check to UMCOR, 475 Riverside Dr., Room 330, New York, NY 10115; or by calling 1-800-554-8583, where credit card donations are accepted.
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.
