|
RELIEF OPERATIONS: Practicing True Christian Giving
The Philippines, especially in the Northern regions of Luzon, has recently experienced an overwhelming amount of destruction due to the onslaught of two typhoons that affected many cities and provinces. The Baguio City First United Methodist Church has answered the call to provide aid for the members of different United Methodist Churches in the Northeast Pangasinan District (NEPD) and Guesset, La Union, which were greatly affected by the calamities. Our brothers and sisters in these regions are currently in a state of rehabilitation due to the loss of many of their personal properties and means of livelihood. Therefore, the Church and Society Committee, headed by Mr. Rowland Marcelo, has led the church in the collection and distribution of relief goods to congregation members in the affected areas mentioned.
 
Starting last October 11, 2009, the Pastoral team has encouraged and called upon the BCFUMC members to exercise the act of sharing their old clothes and other items as a way of providing aid for those in great need of them. Cash and donations in-kind were collected and distributed to the affected areas. Monetary support and boxes filled with clothes and ready-to-eat food items have been collected since then. These items have been distributed on separate trips. The first (pls see page3) to be given aid were our church members from City Camp, Baguio City who experienced flooding during the last typhoon. 100 packs of relief goods were distributed among those affected. The UMM of our church with the Pastoral team also distributed more than 200 packs to the different churches in the Northeast Pangasinan District. Last October 17, 2009, the GBCS Project Team and Ministerial Team visited our mission church at Guesset, La Union, to distribute 39 packs to the members of the Guesset-Aguioas UMC congregation. This was followed by the Elderly Fellowship members who brought additional relief goods and school supplies for the children of the members.
The collection of cash, clothes, cup noodles, canned goods and other relief items is on-going. There are still many people in need of our help and it is not too late to reach out a helping hand. It is in these times where we as Christians are able to exercise the act of true and sincere giving. The situation calls upon our full support and cooperation to enable the church to widen its reach and help more people who have been affected. The Lord is speaking to each and every one of us to do our part in the helping of our neighbors in need, “for whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me” Matthew 35:45. HMC
  
|
