Mission Central

Throughout 2023, Mission Central sought to serve all those in need. Thank you for your assistance in helping us connect God’s resources with human need. We look forward to continuing to do the same in 2024. We often encounter confusion about the difference between Mission Central and UMCOR. In order to make thing clearer, we wanted to provide answers to some of the most frequent questions we receive. 

Mission Central & UMCOR Questions Answered

Is Mission Central UMCOR?

No, Mission Central is its own 501c3 organization. We are not run by the United Methodist Church or UMCOR. We were started by and have a close relationship with the United Methodist Church, but we are ecumenical in nature, working with all those, no matter who they are.

How is Mission Central Funded?

Mission Central is funded almost entirely by contributions from individuals, churches and corporate sponsorships. We receive some private grants as well. We do not receive money from the government or from the United Methodist Church. When you give to UMCOR, you are not giving to Mission Central because we are separately funded organizations.

Mission Central is an UMCOR Affiliate Warehouse. What does that mean?

Mission Central has committed to being a part of the UMCOR Relief Supply Network. There are eight warehouses in the relief supply network. UMCOR Sager Brown is the only warehouse owned, funded, and operated by UMCOR. We pledge to build, verify, collect, warehouse and ship UMCOR kits at our own expense. The network works together in times of disaster to resource kits. Mission Central is ready to send supplies where there is a need. Again, this is at our expense.

We are stronger together - if one of us is down, the others are there to help with supplies, but no money is exchanged. For example, during COVID, UMCOR Sager Brown closed in March 2020 and didn’t reopen until June 2023. During that time, they sent some of the supplies they had on hand to our location since we remained open and continued to operate to keep up with the increased demand around the world and domestically. When supplies were completed, we would send them where inventory was needed.

What are UMCOR kits?

In 2018, UMCOR decreased to three kit types: Cleaning Kit (Flood Bucket), Hygiene Kit, and School Kit. At the end of 2023, they discontinued with the School Kit due to a lack of requests during a disaster. They instituted a disposable Feminine Hygiene Kit instead.

All other kits we talk about are Mission Central kits that we distribute both nationally and internationally. These are completely separate from UMCOR.

Who decides what an UMCOR kit is?

UMCOR decides what is in their kits and often works in collaboration with Church World Services. The items in these kits do not change and are not under our discretion.

When do UMCOR kits get sent?

When a request is put into UMCOR, the kits are sent. UMCOR kits are sent only within the U.S. and mostly in response to disasters.

Should I give money to Mission Central or UMCOR in a disaster?

During international disasters, UMCOR sends relief in the form of monetary grants. UMCOR no longer ships supplies internationally because shipping can be expensive and not as immediate. Because of the way UMCOR is set up, this is the best way for them to steward your donation.

Mission Central, alternately, ships supplies both in the U.S. and internationally because we do not pay for international shipping. We work with partners to receive information on the requested items needed for a disaster. Many times, these are items they are unable to find near the disaster site. Mission Central lets you know what the needed items are, and you can purchase them or send monetary donations to us to facilitate this process.

Every dollar donated to a disaster through Mission Central will be spent towards that disaster. We want to steward your resources well and make sure you are given the proper information to give where is most appropriate for you so that we can all work together to send hope and empowerment in times of crisis around the world and around the corner.

Thank you for your generous support!

Find out more and give at www.missioncentral.org.

Mission Central Still Going Strong

Thank you to the Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church for your ongoing support of Mission Central. Your monetary gifts, material donations, volunteer hours and prayer help Mission Central with our mission of “Connecting God’s Resources with Human Need.” 

Last year, 2020, was a challenging one on all fronts. We are grateful that Mission Central was open throughout the pandemic supporting those in need. Thanks to your support, over 3.3 million people were assisted with over $10.9 million in resources just last year alone. (That is nothing short of miraculous!)

Our medical ministry continues to be Mission Central’s fastest growing ministry. Over $780,000 in supplies and equipment went out to support 241,000 people. Our pet food ministry has grown with the increased needs. In 2020, $369,000 in pet food resourced 73,000 animals.

As we looked at increased needs throughout Pennsylvania, we added a school partnership where Mission Central supplied medical support, school supplies, musical instruments, hygiene items and food to struggling students and their families. Over 13,000 students and their families received support from Mission Central. This will be an ongoing program.

While curtailed briefly at the beginning of the year, we had 42 international shipments that went out supporting Zimbabwe, Romania, Ghana, Liberia and beyond. In this epic year for disasters, we supplied $433,000 in Flood Buckets/Cleaning Kits through UMCOR to Louisiana, Florida and Texas. This recovery work will continue in the year(s) ahead.  

Mission Central continues to supply low cost, no cost warehouse space to our in house partners. Through their food banks, furniture ministries, diaper banks and electronics ministry, we further our reach. 

Now is not the time to slow down. We expect to see needs increase as the impact of the pandemic continues to be felt. And we know (with your support), we are called to do this important work. 

Thank you again for your steadfast commitment to Mission Central. We appreciate the prayers, material and monetary gifts and your ongoing support. You are truly a part of this wonderful family. 

We wish you a safe, happy and healthy 2021!

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WEB: missioncentral.org
CALL: 717-766-1533
GIVE: missioncentral.org/donations/

History Repeats Itself: The Church and Pandemics

By Douglas Hoy, Disaster Response Coordinator

As everyone knows, we are going through difficult times as a faith community. The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged the way we meet and worship. 

In March, Bishop Park strongly encouraged every church in the Conference to refrain from meeting in person. This was done out of an abundance of caution and, at a time when we knew very little about the coronavirus. It seemed as though our sense of community and belonging had been taken from us. The joy of worship and the spiritual enrichment we received was interrupted. And, while this was difficult to accept, we as believers found new ways to worship and do ministry. 

Pandemic History

This isn’t the first time the church has faced a pandemic. This certainly isn’t the first time the church has found itself resorting to different methods of doing ministry.

We know of plague and disease afflicting believers in Biblical times….pestilence in Egypt (Amos 4:10) and plagues during the exodus (Exodus 11:1), just to mention a few. And, we have experienced pandemic in more recent times, including the Spanish Flu in 1918, the Asian Flu in 1957, an avian influenza in 1968, and H1N1 in 2009.

 In 1918, the Spanish Flu spread throughout the world, eventually making its way to the United States lasting from February until April 1920. In the state of Indiana, health officials mandated a statewide quarantine beginning in October 1918. While this occurred over 100 years ago, there are some similarities and differences that should encourage us as we move forward.

Similarities and Differences

In 1918, a much less technologically capable society found ways to maintain individual faith and build community spirituality. Religious leaders worked together with local leaders and businesses to console and unite congregations and communities. In particular, they worked with the press and local newspapers to encourage individuals and families to read and study Scriptures or complete Sunday school lessons. Some churches promoted the time in quarantine as an opportunity to pray for the church and the nation. Pastors suggested their congregations spend the time usually spent attending church on Sunday, praying and meditating on God’s word.

As the pandemic continued, newspapers began to print worship resources in full-page ads, including hymns, scripture lessons, and sermons. And, historians note that one particular pastor collaborated with the telephone company to “facilitate dial in services” for his congregation to ensure that faith remained the focus of people’s lives. Some churches even hosted open air services. Sound familiar?

In November 1918, some faith communities slowly re-opened but, they reduced the length or number of services they held. They mandated the wearing of masks, and a portion of services were dedicated to providing congregations with instructions about dealing with the pandemic, addressing good personal hygiene, cleaning and disinfecting, and the limitations of public gatherings.

Unlike in 1918, there was no vaccine or antibiotics to treat the associated symptoms. Today, we have a well-developed health care system. Today, we attend virtual, live streamed worship services. We connect through apps and use a multitude of social media platforms to communicate. And, we spend countless hours on ZOOM meetings. 

Remembering our Past, Moving Forward

So, as you can see, the church has faced pandemics before. Has it been challenging to maintain our spiritual enrichment, while continuing to experience community worship? Of course! But, as in the past, churches continue to be creative as they address those challenges and bridge the gap.

In his letter to the Conference in November, Bishop Park re-emphasized that we, as a Conference, should continue to continue these practices. And, like their predecessors, our pastors, church staffs, and ministries will persevere, do their best to meet congregational and community needs, and make every attempt to keep them safe and healthy. 

As we look to a future that includes effective treatments and a vaccine, it is important to remember our past. It is also important to do our part and collectively unite with our leaders as they seek to do what is best for our spiritual and physical health and safety. Wear your face coverings…maintain social distances…be creative as you worship and fellowship…and, most importantly, pray for God to intervene and inspire those tasked with moving us forward to a time when we can return to in-person worship with the community of believers who are called Christians and United Methodists.

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Bibliography

History of 1918 Flu Pandemic. (2018, March 21). Retrieved from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/1918-commemoration/1918-pandemic-history.htm

Past Pandemics. (2018, August). Retrieved from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/basics/past-pandemics.html

Rogers, K. (2020, December 3). For churchgoers during the Covid-19 pandemic, a deadly lesson from the 1918 flu. Retrieved from CNN Health: https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/03/health/churches-covid-1918-lesson-wellness/index.html

Contact Douglas Hoy, Disaster Response Coordinator, at drc@susumc.org