September 2003 - Tower - Page 8

MISSION NOTES

June Lyon Loving, Chair

Can it be September already? What a fast summer we had. I hope that you had a safe, healthy and enjoyable summer. Now life gets busy again with many new activities and challenges facing us. Well, let us get to it.

Hooray!! We contributed $627.04 to the Heifer Project (August Communion Offering.) Therefore with a little elementary math, we will provide not one, not two or even three goats, but five! What a blessing! Many will benefit from this and God will be pleased with your love for others.

Communion Sunday collection for September 7 will be used for the Society of St. Andrew (also called, the Potato Project). The Society of St. Andrew, Gleaning America's Fields, Feeding America's Hungry. What a magnificent recycling endeavor! Be generous and then thank God for our many blessings that allow us to give.

Get your calendar right now and add this important date to it:

Sunday, September 21st Potato Luncheon - after 2nd service The luncheon is set for this month in conjunction with our Society of St. Andrew emphasis. Watch the Sunday bulletins for further details.

There is a very important hotline report from UMCOR also in this issue, please read it to see how your contributions are being used. Remember that we are still ready to offer assistance if you are ready to become a FUMC MISSION VOLUNTEER. Give your name and phone # and leave it in the office marked for Missions.

As you know, UMCOR is one of our major mission contributions. These contributions that you gave continue to help many in the US and throughout the world. Here is where your contributions have been going. (Some random quotes from an August 18th "Hotline")

"The crisis in Liberia continues. Children are toting guns. Tens of thousands have been displaced by civil war. Our United Methodist hospital in Ganta lies in ruins. In the midst of this ongoing tragedy, the United Methodists of Liberia have reached out to care and feed those who have been displaced by the civil war."

..."the New York Times published a long story about the hospital"
"Since the 1930's, the people of this prosperous border town had come to a stately stone hospital built by American missionaries to deliver their babies, have their eyes examined, and to be treated for everything from malaria to appendicitis to snakebites...

Today, the hospital lies in ruins. Its anesthesiology machine is shot up. Grenades have blown off the roof of the eye clinic. The hospital floors are littered with syringes, blue surgical gowns and empty crates that once contained Kalashnikov ammunition."

"UMCOR continues to monitor damage from the wildfires in Arizona. Particular concern has been raised about how UMCOR might be helpful in response to the needs of the Navajo people who have been affected."

"UMCOR is in conversation with staff of the Southwest Texas and Texas conferences regarding Hurricane Claudette. As in other situations, UMCOR stands ready to help if requested."

"The need for food support in Zimbabwe will continue through the 2003-2004 growing season. Experts predict that the nation will only meet 30% of its food needs, putting 5.5 million Zimbabweans at risk of acute food shortages."

"UMCOR is responding to several emergencies caused by storms. In the wake of incredible flooding in Indiana and Ohio, UMCOR has enlisted the help of volunteer specialist, Don Weaver. He will work in the field with the North Indiana, South Indiana, and West Ohio Conferences. Florida annual conference has requested funds for a response to recent flooding in the Tallahassee and Sarasota areas. UMCOR is responding to a funding request for long-term recovery in the Memphis and Missouri Conferences due to recent flooding."

"Continuous and heavy rains in north and eastern India have created dangerous flood situations in Assam, Bihar and West Bengal. Over 100 deaths have been reported. UMCOR's partner in India, Christian Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA) is undertaking relief efforts on behalf of 18,000 families."

"UMCOR is providing emergency relief in many areas of the world."

"Your contributions mean so much ...."

"enable UMCOR to assist in storms, fires, and other emergencies"

"Please pray for those who are hungry, displaced, sick or in poverty because of these and other natural and human-made disasters."

As you can see from these miscellaneous comments, there is great suffering and great needs continue. You may contribute at any time as your heart directs and your pocketbook allows. Make your check payable to FUMC and mark it for UMCOR.

Page 8

If you have any comments on any of these pages, please email me: Robert W.(Bob) Mckitrick, thanks.

Last update: August 31, 2003