United Methodist Communications continues to provide news coverage of the situations in Haiti and Chile, including how the church is responding. Click here to go to the page.  We also want you to know of other resources available for churches and members who want to help.

According to UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief), there will be a great need for volunteers to help rebuild once the initial crisis is past, but it is not safe or possible for volunteers to go to Haiti at the present. However, UMCOR’s two relief supply warehouses are asking United Methodists to provide health kits that will be sent to Haiti and Chile.. Instructions for assembling and shipping health kits are available here.

NEW items are to be placed in a sealed one-gallon plastic bag and include the following!

• ·  1 hand towel (15” x 25” up to 17” x 27”. No kitchen towels.
• ·  1 washcloth
• ·  1 comb (large and sturdy, not pocket-sized)
• ·  1 nail file or fingernail clippers (no emery boards or toenail clippers)
• ·  1 bath-size bar of soap (3 oz. and up)
• ·  1 toothbrush (single brushes only in original wrapper, no child-size brushes)
• ·  6 adhesive plastic strip sterile bandages
• ·  $1.00 to purchase toothpaste

During this time of pain and suffering, let us take comfort in the promise of Psalm 46:1, NSRV