May 7, 2008

UMCOR provides help to Myanmar

NEW YORK, May 7, 2008 — Cyclone Nargis tore through Myanmar (Burma) May 2 with unexpected fury, causing a tidal surge that swept inland that devastated Myanmar’s most populated regions leaving homes and businesses flattened and families forever changed.

Satellite images reveal extensive damage along the entire costal plain. Current reports place the death toll over 20,000, with another 40,000 missing.

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is responding to the widespread need in Myanmar. Working through partners such as Church World Service, one of the few agencies with permits to work in Myanmar, allows UMCOR to respond to disasters in some of the world’s most remote places. The international community is working to open up relationships between the US and Myanmar so that more assistance can be provided to survivors.

The Rev. Sam Dixon, UMCOR’s top executive, spoke with Bishop Zothan Mawia of the Methodist Church in Lower Myanmar. “I wanted to speak with him personally to express our deep concern for the people of Myanmar following this catastrophe,” said Dixon. Bishop Mawia is presently in the United States.

“We are thankful for the prayers and response of the United Methodist people,” said Mawia in his phone conversation with Dixon.

Additional avenues of response are being explored through Action by Churches Together and other partners. The unique political situation in Myanmar poses some challenges to UMCOR’s response. UMCOR continues to monitor the situation and expects to respond to help the people of Myanmar recover as opportunities become available.

For updated reports, log on to http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/newsroom/hotline/.

How You Can Help

Please pray for the people of Myanmar who have suffered great losses. Pray also for new venues for assistance to be opened to help those in need. Financial gifts will allow UMCOR to respond immediately and with generosity when the appropriate structures are in place to receive further assistance.

Gifts to UMCOR Advance # 3019674, Myanmar Emergency, will help survivors of Cyclone Nargis. Checks can be mailed to UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087. Write the Advance number and name on the memo line of your check. Online gifts by credit card can be made at www.givetomission.org.

Church World Service in Indiana needs assemblers and items for school kits

Church World Service in Indiana, based in Indianapolis, needs volunteers to assemble 3,000 CWS School Kits. Volunteers are needed from Friday, May 9 through Thursday, May 22 – weekdays from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m.-Noon and Wednesdays to 7 p.m.

The kits are being assembled at the A. Arnold Relocation warehouse at 5220 West 76th Street in Indianapolis, just east 71st Street exit off I-465 on the city’s northwest side.

A few tasks can be performed seated, but most require standing and walking. Children and youth are welcomed if they bring adult help with them. Light snacks and drinks will be provided. No food facilities are on site, but all-day volunteers are welcomed to bring sack lunch or eat at nearby restaurants.

Kit contents still needed include: blunt children’s scissors, spiral or cloth bound pads of paper (70 page count preferred) and money for the processing fund. These items can be shipped or delivered. If shipping, use UPS or similar delivery service. Items should be sent to: A. Arnold Relocation, CWS Kits Project, 5220 W. 76th St., Indianapolis, IN 46268

Delivery can be made through May 12, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

For more information call 317-923-2938 (in the Indianapolis calling area) or toll-free 888-297-2767.

For a pamphlet with more information, log on to www.cwscrop.org/indianakentucky/pdf-files/2008SchoolKitDeliveryInstructions.pdf.

Death Notice – TRENARY

JUDITH A. TRENARY, member of Forest UMC (NIC), active in District and North Indiana Annual Conference UMW, and missions including Operation Doctor, Operation Classroom, Africa University, Brazil, Gulf Coast, died May 3, 2008. Visitation will be at Stout & Son Funeral Home 200 E. Main Street in Russiaville on Wednesday from 3-8 p.m. and one hour before the service at the church. A memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 8, at Forest UMC, 9393 E. 600 North, Forest, IN 46039 with the Rev. Steve Gray officiating. Condolences can be sent to Mack Trenary 9533 E 800 N Forest IN 46039. Memorial contributions can be made to the Howard Regional Hospital Foundation for a nursing scholarship or to the Missions Fund at Forest United Methodist Church. Envelopes will be available at the church.

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