November 21, 2003: Tornadoes struck communities in Texas earlier this week, and flood threats persisted in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. In many of these same areas recovery efforts continue from severe storms last year. With your generous gift to Domestic Disaster Response Advance #901670, you can assist the most vulnerable residents.
Now that Hurricane Isabel, which made landfall Sept. 18, has long since left the national headlines, affected states on the Atlantic Seaboard face a long, unglamorous recovery. Many yards haven't been cleaned up yet, say disaster workers. Some homes are still without heat. You can help in three important ways. 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.
UMCOR NGO seeks United Methodist Volunteers in Mission with specialized skills who want to make a difference in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). UMVIM workers are reviewing applications for three openings at UMCOR NGO's mission in DRC: An agriculture specialist to assist with building food security; a shelter manager to supervise building projects; and a proposal and grant writer to prepare requests for funding from donors. If you want to explore a challenging 2-month to 6-month or longer volunteer assignment in the DRC-- and you live in the Southeast Jurisdiction-- please contact Nick Elliott at sejinfo@umvim.org. If you live in any other jurisdiction, contact Walt and Betty Whitehurst at indvol@aol.com.
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. 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. All of us at UMCOR join in wishing you and your family a safe and happy Thanksgiving.
