The United Methodist Church
Northern Illinois Conference

ANNOUNCEMENT

Northern Illinois Conference
Response to Earthquake in Haiti


By Bishop Hee-Soo Jung
Chicago Episcopal Area of the United Methodist Church

As we watch the scenes of destruction and hear the pained voices of those who survived the disastrous earthquake in Haiti, our minds have trouble comprehending the scope of this catastrophe.  The poorest country in the Western Hemisphere has lost so much.

In this time of great need, I urge all United Methodists in the Northern Illinois Conference to lead in their communities and help the people of Haiti.

There are three ways that you and your church can help today:

1) Please pray for God's blessing on those suffering in the midst of this crisis, those anxiously awaiting word of their loved ones and those assisting the victims. Please also pray for the staff and executives from the UM General Board of Global Ministries who are still missing as of this afternoon. (more)

2) Please give money to UMCOR, The United Methodist Committee on Relief. UMCOR is world-renowned for its work in times of disaster and has a field office in Haiti. You can give  directly online at http://www.umcor.org or through the Advance #418325. We should be encouraged that this agency of our denomination can help us add helping hands to our prayers.

3) Please assemble health kits for UMCOR distribution. The Midwest Mission Distribution Center in Chatham, IL will accept health kits. Please follow the specifications listed on the UMCOR website, http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/getconnected/supplies/health-kit/

We need churches to volunteer to serve as drop-off locations for kits, and we need volunteers to drive them to the distribution center. If your church is willing to serve as a drop-off location or you have volunteer drivers and vehicles, please contact Rev. Christina Vosteen at [email protected]. For more information, please see our website, http://www.umcnic.org.

Your Brother in Christ,
Hee-Soo Jung