UMC Help for Haiti

Health Kit Collection

The VA Conference is asking people in your churches to donate HEALTH KITS for Haiti.

Breaking News!

All health kits need to be delivered to ANNANDALE UMC between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, January 19-22 or on Sunday, January 24 before 1 p.m.  Annandale UMC, 6935 Columbia Pike, Annandale VA 22003, 703-256-8330. 

Contents of the Health Kits and the envelope containing the suggested donation of $1 each for shipping are outlined on the UMCOR website http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/getconnected/supplies/health-kit/ but instead of mailing boxes, deliver your kits in labeled boxes to Annandale this coming week. 

The kits donated by the Alexandria and Arlington Districts will be transported to a regional collection center on Sunday, 1/24 and then transported to Sager-Brown Depot of UMCOR for shipment to Haiti.

 Of course donations are always welcome and encouraged.  You can have checks made out to your church with Haiti on the memo line and then send a church check to the VA Conference Treasurer's Office or to UMCOR with Advance #418325 indicated.

 See the information below, please and check the VA Conference website www.vaumc.org for updates.

 

Friends,

As we and the world watch the news coming out of Haiti, we all mourn for their losses and pray for those impacted by this huge tragedy that has taken place so close to our shores. The United Methodist Church through our UMCOR partner is already engaged in preparing a response and, as many of you know, there is an UMCOR office in Port-au-Prince.

As the press release below states, there is a need for health kits. I am asking that all local churches do what they can to make health kits in response to this UMCOR request and for each district to identify a central receiving point where kits can be delivered. The Conference Disaster Team is currently identifying regional collection points for the health kits to be sent to from the districts. I will notify each district where the regional collection points will be as soon as they are identified and ask that all health kits be delivered to the regional pickup points by Sunday evening, January 24. Pickup from the regional locations will be handled through the Conference Disaster Team on a date yet to be determined (the week of 25-29 JAN) for trans-shipment to Sager-Brown Depot in Louisiana.

Monetary donations may be made directly to UMCOR Advance #418325 following the instructions in the press release below. This is a REAL TIME need for health kits. Please look for further information as it becomes available either from your local district offices, clergy.net or laity.net.

Rev. Bob Pihlcrantz

Conference Disaster Coordinator

 

UMCOR Responds to the Earthquake in Haiti

NEW YORK, Jan. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A major earthquake hit Port-au-Prince, Haiti yesterday, causing widespread destruction. Millions of people are affected and thousands are feared dead. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), the humanitarian relief agency for The United Methodist Church, has close ties with the Methodist Church in Haiti and is responding to the devastating earthquake with funding, material resources and prayers.

UMCOR executive, Melissa Crutchfield says, "We are working with our partners on the ground to provide immediate relief to the people in Haiti. UMCOR has worked in Haiti for many years. We anticipate that there will be years of rebuilding needed and are prepared to work with the people to help them through that process."

Working with partners, Action by Churches Together, Church World Service, Global Medic and the Methodist Church, UMCOR is channeling its resources to respond effectively to the people most in need.

In a statement to Global Ministries' staff, the General Secretary said, "Events such as these can challenge both our faith and sense of security.  As a church we know that the heart of our ministry is continuing and extending Jesus Christ's ministry of outreaching love."
 

United Methodist TV Message Encourages Prayer and Action to Help Haiti

 Nashville: In response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti, The United Methodist Church will air a specially produced television spot on CNN Headline News starting today and continuing through Monday, January 18. The 15-second spot will air 17 times during general news programming during the 4-day period. Banner advertisements will also appear online on CNN's home page.

 Produced by United Methodist Communications, the commercial’s message is a simple, but powerful one. Imposed over an image of praying hands, the text reads “Haiti. First response is prayer. Second response is up to all of us. Find out how at 10thousanddoors.org. Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors. The people of The United Methodist Church.”

 “We hope to encourage people to reflect upon the tragedy and pray for those who have been affected, and we also want to provide an opportunity to act,” said the Rev. Larry Hollon, chief executive of United Methodist Communications. “In the midst of a tragedy, we are in some ways helpless, but in fact we can act in several ways.”

 At the 10thousanddoors.org Web site, viewers will find opportunities to take action — either to advocate or donate to help the people of Haiti, or to join in a prayer wall. The prayers will be passed along to those suffering from the tragedy, as well as those helping in the relief effort. 

 The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), the humanitarian relief agency for The United Methodist Church, is responding to the devastating earthquake with funding and material resources. UMCOR’s two relief supply warehouses are asking for health kits that can be sent to earthquake-devastated Haiti.

 It’s not the first time the third largest U.S. denomination has reached out via local and national media to deliver messages of condolence and comfort.

 “When people are hurting, we need a reminder that we are still embraced by the love of a caring God, and we are connected by human bonds as well as spiritual bonds to each other,” said Hollon.  “That’s an important voice to offer.”

 For more information on how The United Methodist Church is responding to the Haiti disaster, visit www.umc.org/haiti.

 

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