Advance # 3021317
Providing emergency relief and long-term recovery support for disaster-affected communities

“In response to the Earthquake on March 10, 2011 that struck Japan, The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) will be working with local communities to rebuild. UMCOR is now better able to help when earthquakes and tsunamis or other disasters hit the area. UMCOR works in shelter and infrastructure reconstruction, water and sanitation, income generation, health and nutrition, education and community development.

Please use the following link. Advance #3021317

Lighten the Burden III,

The conference will feature national and international speakers, each bringing his or her own unique perspective to the AIDS pandemic.

Featured speakers include:

Dr. Musa W. Dube, theologian and biblical scholar, the University of Botswana;

Dr. Pauline Muchina, senior partnership adviser, UNAIDS;

Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño, episcopal leader of the Desert Southwest Annual Conference;

Jeffrey Crowley, director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy (invited); and

the Rev. Tyrone Gordon, St. Luke UMC, Dallas.

Conference workshop sessions include discussions of:

“Looking at AIDS through Cultural Context,”

“AIDS & Communities of Color — How can the church respond?,” and

“Resourcing Local Churches & Annual Conference AIDS Ministries.”

At least three opportunities will allow you to visit organizations in Dallas that provide for the needs of the HIV positive and those with AIDS. These visits will be between 1-4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 14. Please indicate your interest in participating in these visits on the registration form.

AIDS Interfaith Network is a multicultural, faith-based organization serving more than 2,000 people living with AIDS. They provide transportation, an adult day center, meals, pastoral services, translators, prevention education for minority women among many other services.

Bryan’s House is a special-care facility for children affected by HIV or AIDS, children with other special health needs, and their families. It offers a full range of medical, educational and psychosocial services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Its nationally acclaimed program is innovative, compassionate and cost effective. Decades ago when the program began, Bryan’s House provided care for babies infected with AIDS. They trained caregivers who worked with those babies.

AIDS Arms offers a broad spectrum of services and has a long history of care for those living with HIV/AIDS. A unique program addresses those in prison who are HIV positive. The organization conducts programs on AIDS prevention in many prisons throughout Texas. It also has trained former prisoners to be trainers in the program.

Dr. Don Messer, executive director of the Center for the Church & Global AIDS, is a Lighten the Burden III workshop leader. He hopes this conference will help “awaken the sleeping giant called The United Methodist Church” by helping find practical ways to be involved in education, prevention, care and treatment.

“In doing so, we will fulfill the command of Christ to ‘heal every sickness and cure every illness,’” Messer said.

Your presence is vital!

To register for Lighten the Burden III, click here by Sept. 20.

Questions? Contact Donna Brandyberry, General Board of Church & Society, dbrandyberry@umc-gbcs.org or (202) 488-5641.

Peace to you all.

Mark Harrison

Director, Peace with Justice

2. Send donations to the UMCOR International Disaster Response Advance #418325.

For more read United Methodists Respond with Prayer, Aid for Haiti posted on the Texas Conference Website