A UMNS Report
By Jan Snider

Thousands of people in South and Southeast Asia have been killed in what is being called one of the worst earthquakes in a century. The quake triggered massive tsunamis (tidal waves) that destroyed entire villages.

The death toll is expected to rise above the now estimated 23,000 people. Thousands more are missing, and tens of thousands are displaced. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is joining with other faith-based disaster relief agencies to aid the victims quickly.

The Rev. R. Randy Day, chief staff executive of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, appealed to United Methodists to support relief efforts generously. "Jesus Christ calls us to express our love for him by providing aid in his name to those in need," Day said. "Let us show the people of Southeast Asia our Christmas love by our response to the UMCOR appeal."

The undersea earthquake, measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale, struck in the morning hours on Dec. 26 in the Andaman Islands. It sent 20-foot tidal waves surging across the Indian Ocean. The coastal regions of Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Bangladesh and Malaysia were pounded by the tidal waves, which also swept through the low-lying islands that make up the Maldives.

The full extent of the disaster is still being assessed according to the Rev. Kristin L. Sachen, head of UMCOR's international emergency services. "I just can't emphasize enough how important it is that we respond to this disaster. I know that United Methodists will not turn their backs on the people who have suffered from this devastation," Sachen said.

"We have some initial funds to send this week," she said, but the long-term support will depend on the offerings local churches receive in response to the disaster.

UMCOR will work closely with the Action for Churches Together (ACT), a coordinating agency. ACT "helps the churches from around the world plan our responses in ways that don't overlap," Sachen said. UMCOR is one of the founding members of the organization that will help local agencies develop a coordinated response.

ACT is expected to issue a formal appeal for aid within the next three or four days. It is not known if material resources, such as health kits, will be needed, but it is clear that ACT will seek substantial financial contributions to help survivors.

Sri Lanka is one of the hardest hit countries with more than 10,000 people killed and more than a million left homeless. UMCOR will work with the National Council of Churches of Sri Lanka.

Assistance in Indonesia will be coordinated through Church World Service.

In India, UMCOR is partnering with the Christian Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA), which already has 12 teams in the field. CASA estimates it can serve 50,000 families. "We will require strong support from you in undertaking this massive program, which will still be small when compared to the magnitude of the devastation," CASA Director Sushant Agrawal said in an e-mail to Sachen. CASA estimates that it will need over $6 million and is appealing to the ACT Consortium for the funds. CASA provides "excellent immediate relief as well as very thoughtful long term recovery that involves rebuilding with a lot of involvement from the local community," Sachen said.

Local faith communities and relief agencies are providing the first assistance to survivors. Churches in the stricken areas are turning over Christmas offerings for relief work. Shelter, food and water is being provided to the homeless in the sanctuaries, temples and mosques.

Donations to UMCOR's "South Asia Emergency" relief efforts can be made through local churches with checks designated for UMCOR Advance #274305. Gifts can also be sent to UMCOR, 475 Riverside Drive, Room 330, New York, NY 10015, marked "South Asia Emergency." Credit card donations may be made by calling 1-800-554-8583.

By United Methodist News Service

The Rev. William Hinson, a founder and president of the Confessing Movement, died Dec. 26, a month after suffering a massive stroke. He was 68.

A leading conservative voice in the United Methodist Church, Hinson helped found the Confessing Movement in 1995 and was serving a two-year term as its president when he died.

The Confessing Movement is based in Indianapolis. Senator Patricia Miller, a lay member of the South Indiana Conference, serves as its executive director.

"He was a tireless and winsome witness to the apostolic faith," the evangelical organization said in a Dec. 26 statement.

Beyond his role in the Confessing Movement, Hinson led one of the denomination's largest congregations for many years, served on United Methodist agencies and was active in the World Methodist Council.

He died at Huntsville (Ala.) Hospital, where he had been since suffering a stroke Nov. 28.

A native of Jeff Davis County, Ga., Hinson began preaching at age 18 and served at several Georgia churches. He went on to lead First United Methodist Church of Houston, one of the denomination's largest congregations, for 18 years. After retiring in 2001, he served on the staff of First United Methodist Church of Huntsville.

Hinson was a traditional preacher who emphasized Scriptural authority and evangelism, and was involved in missions around the world, said the Rev. Don Cross, pastor of First Church in Huntsville.

"We loved and appreciated having him with us. He was always an asset to us," Cross said. "I called it a journey, and it was just too short."

Hinson received degrees from Georgia Southern University, Candler School of Theology at Emory University, and Boston University, as well as honorary doctorates from Asbury Theological Seminary and Houston Graduate School of Theology. Honors included the Denman Evangelism Award from the Texas Annual (regional) Conference in 1985 and the Philip Award for Outstanding Leadership in Evangelism 2000.

He served on the World Methodist Council's executive and evangelism committees. He also had served as president of the Council on Finance and Administration, a member of the Board of Global Ministries, a trustee for Asbury Seminary, and a delegate to several General and jurisdictional conferences. He also wrote several books on evangelism, discipleship and other topics.

Last spring, he addressed the denomination's 2004 General Conference in Pittsburgh, when the assembly was abuzz with discussion of a possible split over theological differences, particularly with regard to issues of sexuality. Hinson and the Rev. Bruce Robbins, former top staff executive of the United Methodist Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns, clarified the details of unofficial discussions that had occurred earlier that week between leaders with some of the church's advocacy groups.

After Hinson and Robbins addressed the assembly on May 7, the delegates adopted a resolution affirming their intent to remain united. A few months later, in September, the Confessing Movement issued a statement expressing concern that some people and groups were unwilling to abide by the denomination's Book of Discipline and were threatening the church's unity.

Hinson is survived by his wife of 48 years, Jean Laird Hinson, three children and 13 grandchildren.

Visitation was held Dec. 27 at First United Methodist Church in Huntsville, followed by the funeral service which is scheduled for today, Dec. 28.