What is UMCOR Day? (3/26/17)

Posted by on Mar 16, 2017 in EventAnnouncement, Mission: Beyond our Community, UMCOR | 0 comments

There’s an earthquake… there’s a drought…. there’s a Tsunami…  there’s an epidemic…

What do we do when terrible things happen to people?  Do we just sit by and say “Oh, that’s such a shame.”  Or do we actually do something to relieve the suffering?

UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) may sound like the name of some stuffy committee.  But it truly is the driving force of our church’s response to suffering anywhere in the world.

On Sunday March 26 we will participate in the funding of this arm of our church…

 

As followers of the United Methodist way, we embrace the discipline of Christ-centered generosity in which we find joy in giving all we can.  Giving all we can undergirds our Wesleyan rule to “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can.”

            UMCOR Sunday (formerly One Great Hour of Sharing) is one of six United Methodist church-wide special Sundays. Our gifts to UMCOR on March 26th lay the foundation for all of UMCOR’s work throughout the year.

            When disaster strikes around the globe, such as Haiti’s 2010 earthquake or Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, so many of us watching the disaster unfold on television felt entirely helpless. How can any one person make a difference in the wake of such widespread devastation?  As responders around the globe scramble to help survivors, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, UMCOR, is prepared to act. 

 

Committee???  No Roberts Rules Here!!!

            Don’t be fooled by the word committee. Since 1940, when UMCOR was established to meet the needs of those suffering overseas at the onset of World War II, United Methodists have continued to respond to those in desperate need. Today, in more than 80 countries around the world, the response of UMCOR isn’t something “they” do; it’s something WE do.

            When we give to UMCOR, we equip Christ’s body to serve in His name. That’s because giving to UMCOR is what allows UMCOR to act as the arms, legs, and heart of Christ’s church, moving toward the most vulnerable in their darkest days. Convinced that all people have God-given worth and dignity, without regard to race, religion or gender, together we are assisting those impacted by crisis or chronic need. When disaster strikes anywhere in the world, UMCOR is our “boots on the ground.” Because we support UMCOR, the United Methodist compassionate response to human suffering continues today.

 

UMCOR at Work

When disasters overwhelm a community’s ability to respond, UMCOR is there to help. UMCOR takes a holistic approach, providing essential supplies and care in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, supporting long-term rebuilding efforts to help communities recover, and offering preparedness training to help protect them in the future.

            United Methodist Global Health programs are saving lives in the world’s most vulnerable communities, both in the U.S.A. and around the world. Maternal and child health is our priority. 

Our Global Health programs empower people to take charge of their own lives and to be key stakeholders in the solutions that keep their communities healthy and safe. These lifesaving solutions are sustained over time, because there is an emphasis on education and the development of local resources.

            UMCOR is working to end hunger and poverty around the world through awareness, advocacy, and action. Through our connection with local churches, partner organizations and communities, we build awareness of the interrelated problems that face our world and encourage advocacy for the most vulnerable members of every community.

  • When tornadoes ripped through Oklahoma, we responded
  • When children in Zimbabwe lost parents to AIDS, we responded
  • When a massive tsunami devastated lives in Japan, we responded

 

What’s Next?

And when the next mass crisis occurs, we will be prepared to respond. UMCOR will be able to offer aid in Jesus’ name to those who suffer when disaster strikes only because United Methodists give generously to UMCOR.                                          

Not “they”…

WE  

 

When we meet the needs of those who suffer, we actually minister to Jesus, who said:

I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you welcomed me. I was naked and you gave me clothes to wear. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me.”   Matthew 25:35-36, CEB                                     

            As we respond, we recognize Jesus in those who are reeling in the wake of disaster. Please plan to joyfully give generously to a special offering for UMCOR on Sunday, March 26th.

To read more about what UMCOR is doing now:    UMCOR  

 

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To learn more about what our Conference and the United Methodist Church are doing to share God’s love and peace throughout the world, click this button:   Methodist Church  

 

 

 

 

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