03/03/21. UMCOR’s 80-year history is grounded in the teachings of Jesus Christ, “created to do good things” (Ephesians 2:10) that alleviate human suffering.
Responding to people suffering from the effects of war, civil unrest, hurricanes, wildfires, famines or floods, UMCOR steps in on your behalf in times of crisis to help individuals, families and communities too overwhelmed to recover on their own.
In a coordinated effort, through the Life and Mission ministry of the national Methodist Church in Brazil, Methodist congregations are accompanying vulnerable people through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Even when not gathering for in-person worship, congregations remain committed to social justice and outreach ministries.
For example, in Rio Grande do Sul, Methodists accompany Haitian immigrants as they adapt to life in Brazil. The Methodist Church appointed Duplan Daniel, who came from Haiti to study, as a missionary pastor with the Haitian community in Canoas.
During quarantine, many Haitian immigrants lost their jobs, and some moved in with other families. Tight quarters often become a breeding ground for disease. Therefore, rent assistance, which helps families stay in their homes, is a priority. Daniel’s team also prepares food baskets for emergency relief.
But Daniel says they will use a portion of their UMCOR grant to invest in livelihood work.
The “Even though you have provided me with fish today, you need to teach me how to fish,” Daniel explained. “We will buy two or three sewing machines to teach a group of young men and women to make masks. This will help them and their families, but they can also sell masks. These new skills are an investment in the future, after the pandemic moves on.”
Please give generously. From training volunteers to keeping the office lights on, the UMCOR Sunday special offering equips the organization to respond quickly on your behalf to communities that are impacted by disasters.
Write your check to your local church with “UMCOR” on the memo line and place it in the offering.
To give online or set up monthly giving, go to UMC.org/SSGive.
“(Some United Methodist clinics) are in places where water is scarce. The woman who has just given birth is called upon to travel miles to fetch water while she is still in the maternity hospital. The installation of rainwater-collection systems alleviates the difficulty of collecting water in our health structures.”
– DR. DAMAS LUSHIMA GENERAL COORDINATOR OF HEALTH FOR EAST CONGO EPISCOPAL AREA
“Organizations like Holding Institute that serve migrant communities on the border are serving more immigrants in hotter temperatures, which means high-energy consumption and bills. Using solar to carry some of that energy burden means this ministry can grow without dumping more greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere—emissions that would exacerbate the challenges Holding seeks to address.”
– REV. JENNY PHILLIPS SENIOR TECHNICAL ADVISOR FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AT GLOBAL MINISTRIES
“We will buy two or three sewing machines to teach a group of young men and women to make masks. This will help them and their families, but they can also sell masks. These new skills are an investment in the future, after the pandemic moves on.”
– DUPLAN DANIEL A MISSIONARY PASTOR SERVING WITH THE HAITIAN COMMUNITY IN CANOAS, BRAZIL
UMCOR Sunday is one of six special offerings in The United Methodist Church that supports ministries shared by all churches in the denomination. UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, acts on our behalf when there is a crisis. When we give to specific Advance projects, 100% of our gifts are directed to the designated response.
For example, through the “Sheltering in Love” campaign, and in collaboration with health professionals, missionaries, disaster management coordinators and faith leaders, UMCOR and Global Ministries responded globally to the COVID-19 crisis.
From the Philippines to Pennsylvania, Brazil to Burundi, UMCOR worked to meet people’s daily needs such as health care, food, hygiene and job security.
UMCOR equips local churches, annual conferences and nonprofit organizations to be in mission with their communities, to respond to those left most vulnerable during this challenging time.
And UMCOR doesn’t just respond to the emergency for the short term. Working with local organizations, churches in the community and United Methodist volunteers, UMCOR cultivates relationships and helps communities rebuild, often for years after the disaster.
UMCOR can do this because the funds we receive today join with those of
millions of United Methodists to help cover the costs of doing business. From training volunteers to keeping the office lights on, the UMCOR Sunday special offering equips the organization to respond quickly when disaster strikes.
Please give generously. To give online or set up monthly giving, go to UMC.org/SSGive.