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Hurricanes 2004: Get UMCOR's new church bulletin insert.
August 10, 2004
UMCOR Issues Urgent Call for Flood Buckets as Hurricane Charley Nears Florida's West Coast
UMCOR Hotline Special Hurricane Update, August 12, 2004: As Hurricane Charley grows in strength, officials today are ordering hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate their homes in the Pinellas County region, which includes Tampa and St. Petersburg, and neighboring Manatee County. Florida Keys residents had already abandoned the low-lying areas there in anticipation of Tropical Storm Bonnie's high winds and rains. UMCOR is sending all available flood buckets to Florida. You can help with your prayers and your action. We need to replenish supplies immediately during this volatile season. Specifications for flood buckets are on our web site. Send your completed flood buckets to UMCOR Sager Brown at 101 Sager Brown Road, Baldwin, LA 70514. Partnering with UMCOR to supply flood cleanup supplies are Mercy Center, North Carolina; Midwest Distribution Center, Illinois; and Mission Central, Pennsylvania. To insure continuing rapid and longterm response in the hurricane season, please give generously to UMCOR Advance #982410, Hurricanes 2004.
Sudan: "We Are So Cold When It's Raining"
Sudan's rainy season brings bad news this year. The heavy rains will cut off areas of Darfur, putting thousands of people at risk of losing access to aid. With the rains, diseases like malaria also arrive. Fatima Khalid is afraid of this happening. "We are so cold when it's raining. Our children are freezing and they easily get sick. We need proper shelter to protect us from storms hitting this area. I fear what will happen if it is not possible to get more aid, as we are not able to farm on our own land, " she says. Through its ecumenical partners UMCOR is assisting with food, seed, and tools. But more can be done. Please pray for the people of Sudan and consider a generous contribution to UMCOR Advance #184385.
Iraq: Broken Stained Glass, Broken Lives; Healing Prayers and Deeds
"All of the people of Iraq are God's children and we at the General Board of Global Ministries mourn the loss of each and every life," the Rev. R. Randy Day, the mission agency's chief executive, said after learning of bombings of five churches earlier in August. As broken stained glass is swept up and structural damage is repaired, UMCOR's partner International Orthodox Christian Charities is assessing the immediate needs of those most affected by the attacks. Dr. Saad Gedeon of IOCC said, "Christians around the world must stand with those who have fallen victim to this brutal violence, letting them know that we are with them not only in thought and prayer, but also in deed, in the days and weeks to come as they work to rebuild." Victims of the recent attacks will receive food parcels, hygiene kits and other forms of assistance, depending on their needs. You can help with your donation to UMCOR Advance #623225, Iraq Emergency.
Liberia: Medicine Boxes for Ganta
Talks are under way to set up a regular flow of medicine boxes to Ganta Hospital. A typical Medicine Box®, assembled and shipped by Interchurch Medical Assistance, contains essential drugs and medical supplies to treat the illnesses and injuries of about 1,000 people for three months. Ganta serves a region of about 45,000. UMCOR and Ganta leaders are ironing out details, such as the contents of the boxes, which may vary from the typical one due to local requirements. Each IMA-assembled Medicine Box® containing prescription medicines and over-the-counter supplies costs $450. Or for a donation of $375 per box to cover the prescription drugs, your church can donate the over-the-counter supplies. You'll find a list online. To participate in sending medicine boxes to Ganta, please consider a generous contribution to UMCOR Advance #982630, Medicine Box®, specifying Ganta on your donation.
USA: Hurricane Alex
Hurricane Alex skimmed the coast of North Carolina last week, causing flooding in places where recovery efforts for Hurricane Isabel continue. UMCOR is conducting a damage assessment while providing a grant to the North Carolina Annual Conference to assist with cleanup. Your generosity will ensure that UMCOR can respond effectively in the new hurricane season. Please consider a donation to UMCOR Advance #982410, Hurricanes 2004.
Afghanistan: Bulletin Insert Portrays Hope at Heart of Recovery
Fresh water, a chance to go to school, decent housing-- these signs of hope and community stability are results of UMCOR's recovery efforts in Afghanistan. A bulletin insert tells the story. You can download it for distribution in your Sunday morning worship, in a church school class, or use it as a sermon starter or mission minute. United Methodists can be proud of their assistance to people in Afghanistan to find their way home after 24 years of war. Your donations can continue to make Afghanistan a safer place to live and work. Please consider a gift to UMCOR Advance #602225. Other inserts on a variety of topics are available now, and more are planned.
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.
