As we begin holiday planning, please consider giving a Christmas gift to someone in another country struggling to recover from disaster or overcome poverty. The UMCOR Depot urgently needs kits of all kinds, especially health kits. These kits are shipped to many different countries and provide basic necessities that we often take for granted.

   For more information on assembling and shipping kits, please call the Depot at (800) 554-8583, or visit the UMCOR website at : http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/kits.html. For other suggestions on alternative Christmas celebrations, order the resource Whose Birthday Is It Anyway? from the Service Center, (800) 305-9857.

   Although the floods in Asia have received little media coverage, millions of people in Bangladesh, India, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam are suffering from devastating flooding. Please give generously to UMCOR Advance #229650-8, "Asia Floods," to enable UMCOR to continue to respond to this crisis that is being overshadowed by other emergencies and political coverage..

   Another hidden disaster is the flooding in South Florida. Homes were flooded, and migrant workers and day laborers are without work because crops were destroyed. Florida disaster response workers are assisting with clean up and needs assessment. The Florida Conference anticipates that a long-term response will be necessary. Please give to UMCOR's Domestic Disaster Response, Advance #901670-1.

   UMCOR will continue emergency response efforts in the Middle East. In addition to providing funds to replenish medical supplies at the Palestinian Augusta Victoria Hospital, UMCOR is in communication with other institutions in crisis situations due to the conflict. Further response plans are being developed. Please give to Middle East Emergency, UMCOR Advance #601740-2.

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 pray for all who suffer from violence, natural disasters, hunger, and poverty.