“Compelled by Christ to be a voice of conscience on behalf of the people called United Methodist, UMCOR works globally to alleviate human suffering and advance hope and healing.”God’s Holy Spirit calls the Church into being for mission. The Church experiences and engages in God’s mission as it pours itself out for others, ready to cross every boundary to call for true human dignity among all peoples. As Jesus said: ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ (Matthew 25:40)
UMCOR, The United Methodist Committee on Relief, takes this call to heart. As the humanitarian relief and development arm of The United Methodist Church, UMCOR is the hands and feet of Jesus whenever and wherever disaster strikes.
In 1940, Bishop Herbert Welch, representing the Methodist Committee for China Relief, proposed the creation of the “Methodist Committee for Overseas Relief (MCOR),” in response to displaced and vulnerable populations in the wake of World War II. Welch commented that MCOR would serve as a “voice of conscience among Methodists to act in the relief of human suffering without distinction of race, color or creed.” This mandate remains true to this day.
MCOR grew from providing necessities to refugees and displaced populations, to getting involved in reconstruction, rehabilitation and repatriation of refugees and prisoners of war, restoration of churches and civil operations, and reconciliation – an effort to restore peace and goodwill.
When the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Methodist Church united into The United Methodist Church in 1968, MCOR became UMCOR – The United Methodist Committee on Overseas Relief.
Later, UMCOR expanded its scope to include agricultural and community development projects, as well as medical relief and development, and disaster risk reduction programs. No one in 1940 could have foreseen the depths and breath of what UMCOR is today.
The transformative work of UMCOR is categorized into three areas: Humanitarian Relief/Disaster Response, Sustainable Development, and Global Health.
People around the world now know the transformative power of Christ through the action of first responders and volunteers of UMCOR. Their vision is to come together to strengthen and transform people and communities.
UMCOR has responded and provided aid in Jesus’ name when tornadoes ripped through Oklahoma, when children in Zimbabwe lost parents to AIDS, and when a massive tsunami devastated lives in Japan. UMCOR is currently supporting several relief efforts. After Hurricane Dorian ripped through Puerto Rico and destructive earthquakes shook the island, UMCOR responded to address urgent needs, provide shelter and supplies, and reach out to those in need. UMCOR continues to support wildfire relief and recovery efforts in California and is still active in the efforts to recover from Hurricanes Michael, Florence, Maria, Harvey, and Irma.
Internationally, UMCOR is assisting with relief efforts after flooding in the Philippines and wildfires in Australia. It continues to provide for the basic human needs of the victims of Cyclone Idai in Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique and earthquake and tsunami victims in Indonesia.
Today, many serve and donate to UMCOR so that we may become even more involved in God’s mission, our mission. We pray constantly for God’s grace to be made known through us as we provide sustainable, practical and purposeful relief to those in need around the globe.
Did you know, when you donate to support a specific relief or recovery effort, every dollar will go the project you specify. To accomplish this, UMCOR uses other funding channels to cover non-program related activities such administrative overhead or communications. One source of that type of funding is the UMCOR Sunday offering. Your prayers, support and generosity enable UMCOR to respond when disaster strikes and be the last to leave. Together, WE ARE UMCOR. And, our efforts are rebuilding hope in the lives of those in need all over the world.
There are many ways to support the work of UMCOR and the SUSUMC Disaster Response Ministry, including praying, giving, and volunteering. To support ongoing efforts, consider a financial gift.
For congregations, offerings can be collected and submitted through the Conference Treasurer’s Remittance Report in Section A and mailed to the Conference Office. Checks should be made payable to the Susquehanna Conference, with the designation for the appropriate Advance: UMCOR US Disaster Response and Recovery (Advance # 901670) or UMCOR International Disaster Response and Recovery (Advance # 982450). If you wish to allow UMCOR to determine where to use the funds, the offering can be designated “Where Most Needed” (Advance #999895).
For individual giving, these same options are available and can be accomplished online by CLICKING HERE: www.umcmission.org/umcor/give/how-to-give#Your_Gift
The Susquehanna Conference Disaster Response Ministry Advance (Advance # 8055) provides another opportunity to support disaster response. Funds designated to this Advance will support response and relief efforts within the Conference as well as support Conference teams when they mobilize to other areas.
For more information about UMCOR, visit www.umcmission.org/umcor.
To learn more about the SUSUMC Disaster Response Ministry, visit http://www.susmb.org/ and click on the disaster response tab; or follow on Facebook: @SUSDisasterResponse and Twitter: @UMCDisasterResp
