UMCOR staff have been in communication with the Bishop and disaster response coordinators of the Central Texas Conference following the tornadoes in Fort Worth and Arlington. They are still assessing the damage. The response needed from UMCOR has not yet been determined.

   UMCOR disaster response staff have been in North Carolina this week and report that the rebuilding efforts from the floods are well underway. Building materials and volunteers are still needed. If you can donate and deliver building materials, please call the North Carolina conference at (800) 849-4433. For volunteer information, call the UMCOR Volunteer Line (800) 918-3100. Your gifts to the Churchwide Appeal for Major Storm Devastation '99, Advance #982460-1 will continue to help people in the United States and the Bahamas recover from last year's hurricanes, floods and tornadoes.

   UMCOR consultants and staff are currently in Mozambique, and additional staff will be traveling next week. Together with the United Methodist Church in Mozambique, they are determining the most effective ways to continue the response to those who are homeless and lacking food and clean water. They are also planning for long-term recovery. Among the hundreds of thousands that were affected by the floods are many United Methodists. Several United Methodist churches were destroyed, many pastors and thousands of members have lost their homes and all their belongings. Please give generously to the Churchwide Appeal for Flood Recovery in Mozambique and Neighboring Countries, Advance #156500-0.

Gifts may be made through local United Methodist churches, or by calling 1-800-554-8583. Credit card donations are accepted. (Read more about how you can help UMCOR's emergency responses.)

   Please remember to take the One Great Hour of Sharing offering on April 2, 2000. If you cannot receive the offering at this time, please plan to do so at a later date. This offering provides the basic support for UMCOR and its ministries. For offering resources call 1-888-UMC-3242. Resource ordering information is here. UMCOR has also opened a new page with stories written especially for OGHS.

    Please pray for all who suffer from natural and human-made disasters, hunger, and poverty.