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Alternative Christmas

The Mission Committee will be presenting the Alternative Christmas on November 9, 2008 in Dexter Hall.  This is the year for the Big Bazaar which includes craft items from around the world, jackets from Guatemala, Heifer Projects Christmas Cards, Heifer Project Animals and much much more.  Put this date on your calendar, save your money and look for more details in the next UPDATE!

Scholarships for the Republic of Congo Seminiary in Mulungwishi

We have sold 21 squares of our Congo map so we have made a good start on our first day!  We need to sell 79 more squares.  The map will be available for three more Sundays.  If you put a check or cash (in an envelope)  in the collection plate, we would still like to have you come to the map and either color in a square or we will color in one for you.  That makes it easier for us to see how many squares have been sold and it is nice to see that map change from white to all colors of the rainbow!  Let us reach this goal this Sunday so we can get that scholarship to a student in Mulungwishi.

UMCOR SERVING AROUND THE WORLD

 AFRICA: MOZAMBIQUE FLOOD RESPONSE

   Please pray for the thousands of people affected by damaging floods caused by torrential rains in Mozambique. Among those affected include Save and Nova Mambone United Methodist Churches located along the Save River. UMCOR is in contact with Action by Churches Together as well as the Mozambique UMC to assess the situation and is working on a plan of action. UMCOR will address the immediate humanitarian concerns as well as long-term recovery needs.
   Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi have been lashed by heavy rains for several weeks. Swollen rivers have burst their banks, killing dozens and forcing thousands of villagers to flee flooded homes, according to Reuters news reports.  Mozambique Emergency, UMCOR Advance #156500  provides funds for this work.

MIDDLE EAST: HELPING IRAQI REFUGEES

   UMCOR is helping Action by Churches Together and its partner International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) with the distribution of food and hygiene kits to 2,910 Iraqi refugees in Iraq and Syria for three months. More than two million Iraqis have fled Bagdad and neighboring countries seeking refuge from the escalating sectarian conflict.

Priority distribution of essential food and health kits will be given to families with one or more members that are physically disadvantaged, single-headed households, the elderly and families with eight or more members.

   Iraqi refugees live on few resources—prices for rent and daily food have gone up and water resources have become scarce. Also, the lack of security on the streets has prevented many from moving about freely to obtain needed resources. Please help meet the basic and immediate needs for these families by giving to Middle East Emergency, UMCOR Advance #601740.

US: MISSISSIPPI TORNADO RESPONSE

   UMCOR is assisting the people of Caledonia, Mississippi following a tornado that tore into the community on Jan. 10. UMCOR issued an emergency grant for the Mississippi Annual Conference for initial needs.

   The tornado caused extensive damage to the local high school and to the United Methodist Church and parsonage. The conference Early Response team to help the church and is making their initial assessments for the next steps in recovery.

   Please lift up this town in your prayers. You can give to Domestic Disaster Response, UMCO Advance #901670.

AFRICA: HELPING KENYA

   UMCOR is still at work distributing basic supplies to thousands of people displaced by the recent post-election violence in Kenya through its partner Church World Service.   The violence triggered a mass exodus of people in Kenya and has forced many from their homes and from their families, some fleeing to Uganda.

   Emergency assistance will go to the most affected groups in this conflict, especially those living in internally displaced camps. Mosquito nets, blankets, kitchen sets and hygiene products will be distributed to about 2,300 families for one month.
   Efforts to provide food and shelter are underway to the East Africa Conference and basic supplies have been shipped to the Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology in Karen where many Kenyans are seeking refuge.  This work is supported by Advance #982450, International Disaster Response and your prayers.

US: WELCOMING NEWCOMERS IN TENNESSEE

   A special meal, served by the Colonial Heights United Methodist Church in Knoxville, Tenn., gave hundreds of residents an opportunity to socialize and share their life journeys in welcoming 30 Burundi refugee families, newcomers into the community. This yearly event honors a deceased church member .

    "We all come to church, and we eat, and we all get to know each other," said Shayona Davenport, 8 years old. "I thank the Lord for letting us eat all together."  Such refugee programs like this one, helping refugee families feel at home and welcomed are supported by UMCOR Advance #901779, New Hope for Newcomers.