St. Paul’s participates in the ministry of The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), which is the worldwide humanitarian relief and development arm of The United Methodist Church. More information, including ways to donate, can be found on UMCOR’s website.
The organization’s mission statement reads, “Compelled by Christ to be a voice of conscience on behalf of the people called Methodist, UMCOR works globally to alleviate human suffering and advance hope and healing.” As reflected in the original charter of the outreach, established in 1940, the organization serves as a “voice of conscience among Methodists to act in the relief of human suffering without distinction of race, color, or creed.”
To this end, UMCOR exists to assist United Methodists and churches to become involved globally in direct ministry to persons in need through programs of relief, rehabilitation, and service, including issues of displaced persons, hunger and poverty, disaster response, and disaster risk reduction.
UMCOR is often among the first relief organization at the scene of natural and man-made disasters around the world. One hundred percent of donations directly support the program specified by the donor.
UMCOR sponsors an annual denomination-wide celebration called “UMCOR Sunday,” usually on the fourth Sunday of Lent. St. Paul’s participates by collecting donations on that Sunday that are earmarked for UNCOR’s administrative costs. UMCOR Sunday donations make it possible to funnel all other donations for disaster relief directly to the localized effort in the geographical area in crisis.
