Dear St Pauls,
This past week we have all watched and seen the devastation as fires have forever changed the lives of many living in Southern California. The world is watching, the world is praying and the world is responding with help and resources.
As wind-blown wildfires ravage Los Angeles County, United Methodists are doing what they can to offer shelter and address immediate needs.
They are also starting to count their own losses - which include the destruction of church members’ homes and the buildings of at least two United Methodist churches in the California - Pacific Conference.
Rev. Garth Gilliam, superintendent in the Conference’s North District reminds us that “They still have this incredible spirit of faith and trust in God, even through this devastation,” Gilliam said. “They still believe God can take something tragic and bring something good out of it.”
At this point, United Methodists in the affected areas are asking for prayer and financial donations. “Money is the best thing right now because I don’t know what else I’m going to need,” said the Rev. Denyse Barnes, the conference’s director of justice and compassion.
To help you can donate to the California-Pacific Conference’s Los Angeles fire recovery fund at calpacumc.org/donate or to the United Methodist Committee on Relief’s (UMCOR) response to the fires and other U.S. disasters at https://bit.ly/umcorusdr
You can also donate through the church and your gift will be forwarded or send a check directly to:
California-Pacific Conference United Methodist Church, PO Box 6006, Pasadena, CA 91102.
As always, please be careful of scammers taking advantage of generous givers.
Blessings to each of you as you LOVE,
Pastor Joe Marshall
Comments