Responding to the Events of September 11 and the Aftermath
Dear United Methodist Women:
 Deep sorrow has touched all our lives in the tragic events of September
11, 2001. Countless United Methodist Women have directly experienced the
loss of family and friends. All of us grieve. Our prayers at this time of
crisis give support to each other and to all those who are suffering. We
are so grateful for our supportive community in Christ.
The outpouring of help coming from all over the country and the
world is amazing. The Advance UMCOR has received tremendous financial gifts
and there
has been an overabundance of relief material sent to New York. In true character,
members of United Methodist Women are asking, "What is the most effective
form of support we can give?"
If you want to make a gift to the relief efforts, this can be done through
Supplementary Giving to the Advance "Love
in the Midst of Tragedy." The relief workers have requested that
no more material resource donations be given as that is not the current need.
Moreover, the most effective form of support United Methodist Women can
give is the kind of support that members are known for -- ongoing commitment
and action to make the world a better and safer place for everyone. We are
committed to informed, prayerful action. Each year we study parts of the
world of which we may have only heard. Annually we seek deeper spiritual
understanding to not only prepare us for the events of the world, but to
shape the events of the world. A few years ago, we studied Islam and are
now better equipped to advocate for tolerance rather than violence based
on racial profiling.
As we watched the World Trade Towers crumble, the shock and sense of powerlessness
was overwhelming. But powerlessness is what we feel when we think we are
alone and it all rests on our shoulders. The future of our world rests on
all our shoulders together as we try to respond to God’s calling to us for
peace and justice in the world. We have a long history of overcoming powerlessness
by working together, and by creating programs that give the powerless hope
and ease the burden of the oppressed. This spirit is calling us to come together.
United Methodist Women are needed more than ever to come together through
prayer, action, and financial support through Undesignated
Giving for Mission.
Our response to this crisis both individually and collectively challenges
us to live out our faith and the purpose of United Methodist Women. We are
called as a community of women to participate in the global ministries of
the church. Please share this challenge and how important their ongoing work
is in the mission work of Jesus Christ with all the members of United Methodist
Women with whom you come into contact.
If one member suffers all suffer together. (1 Corinthians 12:26)
In Faithful Service,
Joyce D. Sohl
Deputy General Secretary, Women's Division
(Photo above: Nancy Carter)
Articles for Education
Spiritual Resources
Christian Social Responsibility
Ecumenical Resources
Lenten Study: CHRISTMAS PEOPLE IN A TERRORIST CRISIS
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