OPPORTUNITIES FOR GIVING TO EARTHQUAKE RELIEF IN HAITI THROUGH UMCOR (The United Methodist Committee on Relief)

Dear St. Luke's,

My heart is grieving for our brothers and sisters in the Democratic Republic of Haiti. Early in my ministry, First United Methodist Church in Grand Junction sent five volunteer in mission teams to Haiti for school construction projects. I was so inspired by the faithfulness of the Methodist Church of Haiti and their attempts to bring both humanitarian and governmental reform to this poorest of nations. It was because of the Methodist connection that pastors, lay leaders, and congregations were linked together by one of the only communications networks in the country. Now we have learned that our own Jim Gulley, a United Methodist missionary who was so helpful to us in our work in Cambodia, was in Haiti during the earthquake with other UMCOR leaders. Join me in prayer for their safety.

Bob and I will give to this crisis response through the United Methodist Committee on Relief who will be involved in the early /emergency/ response phase as well as the /relief/ and /recovery./ I wanted to sharethat option with you as well. Dave Cupp will be ready to receive your gifts to St. Luke's UMC for Haiti Advance #418325.

I am including a news report from United Methodist Communications so that you can follow the work of the church in the midst of all the reliefs efforts.

Praying continuously for all,

Rev. Janet

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"UMCOR Responds to the Earthquake in Haiti January 13, 2010 -- (New York: UMCOR) 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) has close ties with the Methodist Church in Haiti and is responding to the devastating earthquake with funding, material resources and prayers. You
can find a continual update at: (http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.5259605/k.F985/UMNS_News.htm)

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.

Volunteers from at least six different United Methodist annual (regional) conferences are in Haiti on mission trips. An email from two Kansas East volunteers reports they are safe in the guest house and, “We have a bunch of refugees in the front and have been giving first aid to those who were hurt, but we cannot get them anywhere at this time. There
will be many deaths but it happened right before dark so rescue efforts are hampered. Some phone service and no police or UN radios working.”

Volunteers in Mission (VIM) executive, Clint Rabb, consultant, Jim Gulley and Sam Dixon, the top executive for UMCOR are in Haiti. Says UMCOR executive, Tom Hazelwood, “We have conflicting reports that say they were in a car on the way to the airport and another that they were in the Montana Hotel. We don’t have any absolute confirmation at this
time and have not heard from them, but will be sure to communicate any news. Please continue praying.”

How to Help:

There will be a great need for volunteers to help rebuild once the initial crisis has settled. At this time, it is not safe or possible for volunteers to go to Haiti. In order to frame a response that is consistent with the churches’ needs, people wishing to volunteer should contact their jurisdictional VIM coordinator to determine when and how to appropriately respond. Rocky Mountain Conference personnel should contact Betsy Keyack or Ann Fort, VIM coordinators, to offer aid.

Gifts to support UMCOR's Haiti Relief efforts can be made to Haiti Emergency, UMCOR Advance #418325. Checks can be made to UMCOR with Advance #418325 Haiti Emergency in the memo line. Checks can be put in
the church's offering plate or mailed to UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087. 100% of gifts made to this advance will go to help the people of Haiti.

UMCOR Sager Brown is coordinating a shipment of health kits to provide individuals with basic necessities. Instructions for assembling and shipping health kits are available at http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/getconnected/supplies/health-kit/

Please pray for all of the people affected by the earthquake in Haiti. Thank you for your faithful support for all of God’s children."