-
blankets, tents
and medical supplies to Iran following the earthquake on December 26
-
for the children of
Iraq in 2003 -- beds for pediatric hospitals, fresh foods, powdered milk,
medicine, bedding, heaters
-
blankets, school kits,
food and medical supplies to the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico
following floods and mudslides in November 2003
-
blankets, health and
baby kits, cleaning supplies to U.S. east coast states after Hurricane
Isabel in September 2003
-
ongoing supplies of
food, medical items, and other relief items to Liberia for people displaced
by years of civil war
-
In the U.S. -- items
such as blankets, health kits, and baby kits to California (following
fires); homeless families and women’s shelters in Iowa, Chicago, and
Minnesota; victims of a fire in Jackson, MI; and North Carolina migrant
workers
Once every year, United Methodists come together to
support UMCOR's ministireies through One Great Hour of Sharing.
The United Methodist Committee on
Relief (UMCOR) serves millions of people around the world. It responds to
catastrophic disasters such as flooding, civil unrest and violence, refugee
crises, landslides, earthquakes, and famine. When the emergency ends, recovery
work begins. UMCOR continues its ministry long after the media attention and
public interest has faded.
Without One Great Hour of Sharing, where would UMCOR be? Would it even exist?
UMCOR is funded primarily by gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) and the
"Advances." Though United Methodists are generous in their designated
giving, Advance gifts do not fulfill the entire need. UMCOR relies on the One
Great Hour of Sharing and other undesignated gifts that can be used where they
are most needed.
UMCOR is frequently asked: "How much of UMCOR's budget goes to
administrative costs?" The answer is: less than 10 percent. Many United
Methodists do not realize that UMCOR receives no World Service or other
apportionment funds. Administrative costs must come from somewhere, and OGHS
helps meet those expenses.
How is the rest of the OGHS offering used? It ensures UMCOR has funds
available to respond immediately to emergencies: the devastation of hurricanes,
earthquakes, flooding, cyclones and typhoons; war and civil strife; outbreaks of
cholera.
The other critical use of the OGHS offering is to support UMCOR's Advance
ministries. On an ongoing basis, UMCOR is in mission through approximately 200
Advance ministries around the world. UMCOR makes every attempt to fund fully the
ministry for the approved amount. UMCOR ministries depend on these funds to meet
their budgets and continue their work. Very few Advance ministries are funded
fully by Advance giving from individual United Methodists and local churches. In
fact, some receive no Advance gifts. Funds from the OGHS offering make it
possible for UMCOR to fund fully its Advance ministries.
So, in addition to emergency response work, your OGHS offering helps provide
water for crop irrigation and livestock while focusing on soil conservation. It
supports community health projects that reduce the rates of maternal and infant
mortality. It provides skills training and assistance for women who develop
micro-enterprises. OGHS assists children with HIV/AIDS and persons with physical
and mental disabilities. It provides indigenous children with soy milk from a
mechanical cow. It enables refugees who immigrate to the United States to start
their lives anew. Your offering works in many different ways to assist people
who strive to feed and support themselves and their families, to learn new
skills, to obtain better health care, to survive and work toward a fuller life
despite poverty and civil unrest.
The continued ministry of the United Methodist Committee on Relief depends on
your participation in One Great Hour of Sharing!
