GRACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
  • Welcome
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Calendar
    • Contact Us
    • Directions
    • Grace Notes Online
    • History
    • Memorium
    • SOAP Readings
    • Staff
    • Worship Schedule
    • Worship Service Recordings
  • Ministries
    • Education
    • Mary & Martha Circle
    • Ministries >
      • Ministry News
    • Music Ministry
    • Secret Prayer
    • Super Seniors
    • TV Ministry
    • Women of Grace
    • Youth Ministry
  • Pastor's Message
  • Giving
  • Forms
  • Welcome
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Calendar
    • Contact Us
    • Directions
    • Grace Notes Online
    • History
    • Memorium
    • SOAP Readings
    • Staff
    • Worship Schedule
    • Worship Service Recordings
  • Ministries
    • Education
    • Mary & Martha Circle
    • Ministries >
      • Ministry News
    • Music Ministry
    • Secret Prayer
    • Super Seniors
    • TV Ministry
    • Women of Grace
    • Youth Ministry
  • Pastor's Message
  • Giving
  • Forms

Pastor Ron's Message

October 2018...

10/3/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
Dear Friends -

​Since hurricane Florence struck we’ve all seen the images of destruction left in its wake. Even as I write this water is rising along some rivers, and thousands are under an evacuation watch.

And the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is there. Presently only trained “first responders” are in the affected areas. As water subsides specific relief plans will be made and UM volunteers will arrive to begin cleaning, and restoring damaged homes. Their work will be coordinated through UMCOR.

We don’t have details about the response to Florence so I researched some infor- mation about UMCOR’s response to hurricanes Irma and Maria which devastated Puerto Rico last summer. First, I looked at CharitableNavigator.org to see how they rate UMCOR. (Statistics are from 2015.) Contributions were $19.9 million and 93.0% of contributions went to services (not administration, fund raising etc.). The overall rating for UMCOR was 92.14 out of 100, and 4 out of 4 stars.

UMCOR initially granted $5.6 million to Puerto Rico in December 2017. As of August 2018 a total of $20 million has been granted. You may ask, “If UMCOR received a total of $20 million in 2015 how did they disperse $20 million to Puerto Rico alone?” The answer, of course, is your gifts, and those of millions of United Methodists across the US and around the world.

A report of UMCOR programs sited Joanna Rivera’s home. Her wooden home was destroyed and all its contents lost. She was unable to return for 4 1⁄2 months. Joanna cares for her 17 year old daughter who is totally disabled. UMCOR provided emergency food and water, and clothing. In August Joanne’s home was being rebuilt. The bed and bath will be a cement block structure for greater safety in the future. UMCOR also provided a new stove and refrigerator. Joanna, with great emotion, thanked UMCOR and the people of the United Methodist Church and passed on her blessings to all.

Bishop Thomas Bickerton, president of the UMCOR board (formerly bishop of Western Pennsylvania) stated, “We take for granted the monumental work that we in The United Methodist Church do. It’s normal to us, but it’s viewed as exceptional work by the outside world.”

Your support to Grace is a part of that exceptional work. Through the Mission budget and your direct gifts we help provide the money needed. And your support of Grace sustains the framework that enables this aid. The exceptional work is yours!

Thank you for your generosity in all its expressions, and God bless you for it,
     
~ Pastor Byron


0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.

    Archives

    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    May 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.