Helping Haiti

Below is a note I sent out to South Georgian United Methodists last week in an e-mail.  Haiti is still very heavy on my heart, as I’m sure it is with us all.  Visit www.umc.org/haiti for all the latest information on how you can help.  As of yesterday, Tuesday, January 27 South Georgia United Methodists have given over $77,000 to UMCOR for the Haiti relief efforts.  I can’t tell you how thankful I am to be surrounded by such loving and generous people.  Thank you.

To the beautiful people of South Georgia, 

All of us have been touched in deep places by the suffering of our Haitian brothers and sisters caused by the recent earthquake.   The photographs and video images reporting the scope of the destruction and the extent of human suffering are too much to grasp.  We pray for God’s grace, in all its abundance, to fall upon all who are in pain.

Many of you have sought ways to express Christlike compassion and offer tangible assistance.  Your ceaseless prayers, generous gifts and selfless offers to volunteer are all deeply appreciated.  Thank you for desiring to follow the example of Jesus Christ.

Many governmental agencies and faith-based organizations are responding quickly and with great humanitarian efforts.  Rescuing the trapped, relieving the suffering, and rebuilding homes and communities will be a long process. We pray continually for those who suffer and for those who are offering direct and indirect aid.

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is already at work in Haiti.  In two United Methodist Board of Global Missions staffers died from injuries related to  the collapse of the Hotel Montana during the earthquake.   Sam Dixon, UMCOR Executive, and Clint Rabb, GBGM Mission Volunteer Coordinator, were in Haiti working to offer long-term aid for the poor and marginalized Haitian people when the earthquake hit.  We pray for Sam and Clint’s family and the Global Ministries family as they come to grips with his death.

UMCOR is actively engaged in this initial response of relief and aid.  UMCOR will be involved for many years as the rebuilding process begins.  Right now, the best way to offer assistance is through monetary gifts.  Each congregation is encouraged to receive an offering that can be designated for the Haiti Emergency, Advance Number: 418325.  You may remit your gifts through our Conference Treasurer’s Office using this Advance number and those funds will be sent immediately to UMCOR.

Additionally, I encourage you to find ways to participate in the global response to this horrific disaster.   Monitoring our Conference website, www.sgaumc.org, will be the best way for you to find the most current requests for assistance and the best way to respond. 

God is using people just like us from all over the world as instruments of grace and healing for the Haitian people.  Together, we are seeing our neighbor’s need and working to alleviate suffering.  I am proud of South Georgia United Methodists for joining in this outpouring of love, for in so doing, we are partners in growing a Christlike world.

In God’s grace,

James R. King, Jr.
Resident Bishop