 The United Church of Christ is issuing an appeal to support immediate needs for families and communities affected by Hurricanes Fiona and Ian.
While this year’s hurricane season started slowly, the last two weeks have made it clear just how dangerous and destructive these storms can be. With wind speeds topping out at 130 miles per hour and 155 miles per hour, respectively, Hurricanes Fiona and Ian have left devastation in their wake. More than a week and a half after Fiona’s winds left all of Puerto Rico in the dark, hundreds of thousands of people remain without power. Communities remain in crisis mode as the delivery of food, drinking water, and medical needs is challenged in hard-to-reach places cut off by downed trees, mudslides, and washed away bridges. Millions have lost power and access to clean drinking water. The need for emergency food support, medical care, and temporary shelter is high. Rev. Edward Rivera-Santiago, Pastor General of Iglesia Evangélica Unida de Puerto Rico, shared that congregations across the island are reporting damage to the homes of both church and community members, with some people facing total loss. Solidarity grants from Global H.O.P.E. and Global Ministries have been sent to assist with immediate needs while basic infrastructure is repaired and more complete assessments can be made. Meanwhile, Hurricane Ian still rages, with widespread damage in Cuba, flooding and wind damage across Florida, and coastal flooding threatening Georgia and the Carolinas. It is way too early to know the full extent of damage in Cuba and in Florida, yet early indications point to a recovery that will take many years – perhaps a decade. Emergency response personnel are active. Relief agencies are meeting immediate needs where they can gain access to communities hard hit by the storm. United Church of Christ partners through National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster who focus on relief are implementing their plans. Global Ministries Area Executive for Latin America Angel Luis Rivera is in touch with bilateral partners. Conference leaders and Conference Disaster Coordinators are making contact, assessing needs, and communicating with the Global H.O.P.E. team so that help can be channeled, now and for the long term. Your generous financial support will be used by our partners in the areas of greatest need, for relief and long-term recovery. Plymouth sent $1513.50 to help.  Neighbors in Need (NIN) is a special mission offering of the United Church of Christ that supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. One-third of NIN funds support the Council for American Indian Ministry (CAIM). Two-thirds of this offering is used by the UCC’s Justice and Witness Ministries (JWM) to support a variety of justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects through grants. Neighbors in Need grants are awarded to UCC churches and organizations doing justice work in their communities. These grants fund projects whose work ranges from direct service to community organizing and advocacy to address systemic injustice.
In 2022, Neighbors in Need focuses on economic justice. Plymouth sent $740 to this one-day offering. FAQ on the NIN offering here. |
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