“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” – Galatians 6:2
Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
When people hurt, United Methodists help. After Superstorm Sandy, United Methodists from around the world sent donations for our recovery. One of the first and most generous United Methodist conferences to respond with financial gifts and volunteers was the West Virginia Conference. Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball brought a group of volunteers. I imagine you have already heard about the devastating floods in West Virginia that destroyed thousands of homes and devastated towns. I am also imagining a generous gift from GNJ to assist them in their recovery. They carried our burden in their heart after Sandy and now it is our opportunity to lift them up through our prayers and gifts.
I know that many of our early responders have already headed to West Virginia. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to be United Methodists who show up when people hurt. I also know that as faithful United Methodists we are already giving of ourselves through prayer and donations to help those in need. I’m calling on our congregations to reach further and deeper to help bear their burden. This Sunday, July 10, I’m asking every congregation in Greater New Jersey to take up a special offering to be sent to the West Virginia United Methodist Disaster Response #935 through UMCOR. Please use the art above to announce this offering on Facebook, in newsletters or in your bulletin. You can send your congregation’s check (payable to Greater New Jersey) to our treasurer and receive credit here in GNJ and with UMCOR:
The United Methodist Church of Greater New Jersey
Mission and Resource Center
West Virginia Flooding #935
205 Jumping Brook Rd.
Neptune, NJ 07753
It’s in moments like these our light shines brightest and lives are forever changed. Let’s continue to lift up West Virginia and those affected by the floods in our prayers and may we ourselves be a small part of the answers to them.
Keep the faith!
John
John Schol, Bishop
The United Methodist Church of Greater New Jersey