A Moment for Mission

March 26th

“But I tell you, look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting.” — John 5:36, NRSV

In the moments after a disaster strikes or after crisis hits locally or globally, it can feel paralyzing. Many feel compelled to act but are uncertain how to respond in a meaningful way.

As the body of Christ, we are called to welcome the stranger, feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, and visit the sick and imprisoned. It is through the leadership of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), a ministry through the General Board of Global Ministries, that the church is empowered to act in these moments, in the midst of conflict, war and natural disaster. The work of UMCOR reaches 80 countries including the United States. 

UMCOR focuses on relief work with the aim of restoring communities to stability. While UMCOR does not send in the first response teams, UMCOR is committed to staying until communities are able to return to a sense of normalcy. UMCOR also supports global health initiatives that include hygiene, sanitation and clean water projects, as well as working in communities to assist with developing sustainable agriculture.

UMCOR recently earned a 4-star rating by Charity Navigator, an organization that rates charities, for its strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency. That is in part because of the UMCOR Sunday offering next week in which 100 percent of the offering directly supports the overhead costs of UMCOR.