Refugee settlement - the result of war. Photo - Steve Taylor/NCCUMC

Each year people all over the world recognize World Refugee Day. World Refugee Day encourages us to prayerfully reflect on the lives of refugees, and raise awareness in our communities and congregations about refugee resettlement.

UMCOR, together with congregations and the Church World Service resettlement network across the country, has developed a series of World Refugee Day materials that can be accessed online and downloaded. There is a church bulletin insert for use on Sunday June 19, the day before World Refugee Day. Additionally, you can arrange to make an announcement about World Refugee Day during worship or another church gathering. Your church may also consider planning a worship service around the theme of refugees. You can download the poster and other materials here.

We need YOUR HELP to get the word out about these materials so please forward this email to your networks, colleagues, pastors and friends. We hope that you will make every effort to lift up this important day at your worship service on Sunday June 19^th.

Do you have an idea for raising awareness in your congregation about refugees? Is there a way that UMCOR might be able to help? Please don’t hesitate to contact us at UMCORRefugee@gbgm-umc.org or 212-870-3888. The more we hear from you, the better!

Sarasia Emilio Anisie shows her new registration card and a finger she dipped in ink as she finishes the registration process to vote in in the January 2011 referendum on whether Southern Sudan will secede from the north of the country. Paul Jeffrey/response

United Methodist women in Southern Sudan are joining their neighbors in enthusiastically registering to vote in a January referendum on whether their war-torn land will split off from the north of the country.

A 17-day registration period began on November 15, and in the village of Pisak in Central Equatoria State, United Methodist Women members were among the first in line.

“We all registered early the very first day. We are excited to be able to vote to separate ourselves from the northern government, because for years and years it has oppressed the south,” said Cecilia Akuyu, a United Methodist Women member in Pisak.

The referendum on independence is scheduled (read full article – UMW News by Paul Jeffrey)

You can help.   Please prayerfully consider a gift to this important ministry.  A gift can be made for the local Sunday offering by denoting on the gift:  Sudan Emergency Advance # 184385 or give on-line at Sudan Emergency.  For more information:  See UMCOR Food Ministry for Sudan.

At Abu Jabra, another camp where UMCOR workers have provided seeds and tools, a resident prepares the ground for planting. Credit: Paul Jeffrey/UMCOR

United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) continues to work in Sudan, named as the worse humanitarian disaster of the 21^st Century.  Over 400,000 people are estimated to have been killed in fighting and over 2 million people are displaced.   This critical ministry provides radial hospitality to some of the most vulnerable people in the world.   UMCOR works in Darfur and other areas bringing agriculture extension, emergency supply distribution, feeding the growing numbers of starving people, refugee resettlement, and small-scale livelihoods.    And you can help.   Please prayerfully consider a gift to this important ministry.  A gift can be made for the local Sunday offering by denoting on the gift:  Sudan Emergency Advance # 184385 or give on-line at Sudan Emergency.  For more information:  See UMCOR Food Ministry for Sudan.

UMCOR continues to work in Sudan, named as the worse humanitarian disaster of the 21^st century. Over 400,000 people are estimated to have been killed in fighting and over 2 million people are displaced. UMCOR works in Darfur and other areas bringing agriculture extension, emergency supply distribution, and small-scale livelihoods. UMCOR also works with a coalition of other humanitarian organizations to provide assistance to Sudanese refugees who have fled to neighboring countries. Please consider a gift to this important ministry which can be given through the local church Sunday offering by denoting on the gift: Sudan Emergency Advance # 184385. For more information and online giving, go to Sudan Emergency.