Black student leaders hopeful for Haiti's recovery

If New Orleans can recover from Hurricane Katrina, there is hope the people of Haiti will find new life after the massive earthquake that struck Jan. 12.

“I feel hope for those people,” said Charlie Coleman, a student leader at Dillard University in New Orleans.

“I know that those people in Haiti right now are feeling like there’s lost hope and there’s nothing that can be done because it was a natural disaster,” said Coleman, a freshman. “If New Orleans can overcome the obstacle with the help of the United States and with other countries and everybody working together, Haiti can rebuild, as well.”

Coleman and 23 other young leaders who are enrolled in or have graduated from the 11 United Methodist-related historically black colleges and universities gathered in Nashville for an orientation to The Black College Fund’s Lina H. McCord ambassador program.

The young leaders were happy to see communities coming together to support the people of Haiti in their immediate recovery, especially seeing the success of social networking efforts reaching young audiences.

“I ’m impressed with the response,” said Courtneika Hudson, a senior at Paine College in Augusta, Ga. “I know there is a lot of stigma in society about young people not really caring a lot about what’s going on in the world. So just to see the outreach that we have … it was actually quite rewarding to see that.”

The student leaders have helped to coordinate relief efforts on their campuses, like conducting clothing and food drives and holding fundraising events for Haiti.

Recognizing Haiti’s long history of poverty, the students also hope that the efforts will continue past the immediate relief.

“I want people to realize that it has to be a continued effort in helping a country, a city, even a state rebuild and become what it once was,” Coleman said.


Please encourage your congregation and members to support The Black College Fund apportionment at 100%. Please help these and other future leaders make a difference in the lives of our brothers and sisters.


God Is Still In Control!

Miss Lladale Carey
Web Producer
UMCGiving.org
lcarey@umcom.org

DON'T FORGET:

Human Relations Day Sunday, January 17, 2010

NURTURE. ADVOCATE. GIVE.

Maudine Holloway, executive director of Community Enabler Developer Inc., Anniston, Ala., is deeply involved in the self-improvement activities of the people she serves. Distributing everything from beans to baby formula, Maudine makes sure her struggling neighbors have a meal, a change of clothes, assistance paying a utility bill, medicine and a safe after-school place for children. “These are critical times for the church to be alive in the community,” she asserts. “We are trying to help people see Jesus.”

Because of your offering on Human Relations Day, caring ministries continue—providing childcare, after-school tutoring, gang intervention, work with at-risk teens, outreach with current and former prison inmates, homeless services, emergency aid, jobs training and more.

Sadly, gifts to the 2009 Human Relations Day offering lagged behind contributions for the same period in 2008—by more than 20%. Yet, the needs have not gone away. In fact, they are increasing as Maudine Holloway’s neighbors, at-risk youth in Oklahoma and hurting people across the United States continue to suffer.

Please give your congregation an opportunity to “give themselves unreservedly to God” through
Human Relations Day. To order 2010 resources, go online to umcgiving.org/HRD or call toll free (888) 346-3862.

For stories of how United Methodists share Christ’s love through Human Relations Day,
click here.

“THEY HAD FIRST GIVEN THEMSELVES UNRESERVEDLY TO GOD AND TO US. THE OTHER GIVING SIMPLY FLOWED OUT OF THE PURPOSES OF GOD WORKING IN THEIR LIVES.” --2 CORINTHIANS 8:5B, THE MESSAGE

DONATE NOW!!

GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL!

Miss Lladale Carey

Web Producer

UMCGiving.org

United Methodist Communications

Alaskans express thanks for United Methodist scholarships

“This year,” says Kate Simeon, Chugiak [Alaska] United Methodist Church, “I am continuing my studies in international political economy with a minor in economics. With this degree, I plan on working with small non-governmental organizations internationally to promote alternative forms of development at the community level. Next year I hope to be working in a five-month internship in Uganda. I also row on the women’s varsity crew them, and this semester I participated in the university’s dance program.”

Mark Chase, Seward Memorial UMC, adds, “There's a reason the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry's Scholarship is called the Gift of Hope. There are no fiery hoops to jump through and no 2,000-word essays. Instead, it rewards and encourages faithful participation in The United Methodist Church. It truly is a gift, but not just a monetary one. I'm thankful this scholarship supports education and faith, for [they] go hand in hand. This scholarship is a gift; education is a chance to equip ourselves to carry out God’s will in ourselves and in our world.”

“I always have been blessed to have church support in my life,” notes Elizabeth Perry, also of Seward Memorial Church. “I am especially blessed and extremely grateful to have received the Gift of Hope scholarship. The encouragement of the United Methodist community will go with me as I experience a new culture in Denmark through Boston University's study-abroad program—and apply my experiences to my ever-adapting faith. Every little bit helps.”

Did you know that even in these tough economic times, there are still scholarships available to United Methodist students through the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry and other United Methodist institutions? Generous gifts on United Methodist Student Day—the last Sunday in November—ease the college journey through scholarships and loans. Thank you!-

--Adapted from e-Aurora (a weekly news update) from The Alaska United Methodist Conference, Dec. 22, 2009

To learn more about United Methodist Student Day click here.
To give to United Methodist Student Day or any other Special Sundays click here.

Miss Lladale Carey
Web Producer
UMCGiving.org
United Methodist Communications