November 26, 2003: HIV/AIDS is a global pandemic that causes suffering in many parts of the world. Annually on Dec. 1 or a Sunday close to this date, United Methodists join others around the globe in observing World AIDS Day. The death toll from AIDS this year is expected to be the highest ever, according to UNAIDS, a United Nations health agency. Through a generous donation to one of the UMCOR Advance projects you can participate in healing and hope.
This year's theme for World AIDS Day is the elimination of stigma and discrimination. Please remember that when congregations extend Christian hospitality to all-- including those affected by HIV/AIDS, healing happens among individuals and within the church community as a whole. Resources are available at: http://gbgm-umc.org/health/wad02/.
West Virginia's 17th flood of the year subsided late last week, leaving at least 1,848 homes damaged or destroyed across the state. Several affected counties still face long-term recovery from last year's severe flooding. With your generous gift to Domestic Disaster Response Advance #901670, you can assist the most vulnerable residents.
Hurricane Isabel, which made landfall Sept. 18, has long since left the national headlines, but in affected states along the Atlantic Seaboard the long, unglamorous recovery goes on. 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.
The longterm development unit of UMCOR 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's mission in the 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.
UMCOR provides emergency relief in many areas of the world. You can stay informed even during the holidays. Next week, look for the Hotline on Friday.
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.