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This story, covering UMCOR’s work, is Part One of a two-part series. Part Two, on health care ministries, will publish in November.

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72 new Global Ministries EarthKeepers will launch creation care projects in the U.S.
The United Methodist Committee on Relief, through the World Hunger and Poverty Advance, awarded a grant in August 2024 to the Rural Women’s Development Society in the West Bank, the seventh in as many years. This project provides women with livelihoods, access to vocational training, business mentorship and a living wage in areas that have over 30% unemployment.
Addressing the boards of Global Ministries and Higher Education and Ministry in a joint online meeting, General Secretary Roland Fernandes outlined the agencies’ progress on faith-based responses to suffering caused by ongoing global instability and humanitarian crises, and he announced This Moment Matters, a campaign to address global needs in key areas of focus.
TAKE ACTION: Urge Your Elected Officials to Condemn DHS Plan to Incentivize Unaccompanied Children’s Departure
The application has launched for the 2026-28 cohort of young adults who will serve in social justice ministries internationally through The United Methodist Church.
A pastor and scholar from the DRC studies peacemaking at Africa University with plans to return to the DRC to contribute to conflict resolution in his home region.
The United Methodist Mission in Honduras hosts a national retreat for clergy that strengthens their calling and fellowship.
60 young adults from eight European countries met in Cluj-Napoca (Romania), Jul. 24-28, the first major Methodist youth meeting of its kind in 12 years.
Philippines Central Conference partners and staff from Global Ministries and GBHEM participated in a roundtable discussion on strategic mission goals in August.
Young adults learn the ways of peacemaking from those who grieve deeply and practice long-term advocacy and hope for reunification in Korea.

Contact Information

Have questions? Send us an inquiry and we’ll get back to you promptly. Please direct all media inquiries to Susan Clark, chief communications officer for Global Ministries and UMCOR.

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Susan Clark, Chief Communications Officer
media@umcmission.org
800-862-4246

UMCOR Campaigns

Six Years, No Solution: A 500-Gallon Tank Carries Hope to West Virginia’s Forgotten

McDowell County is one of the poorest in the U.S., and the communities of Anawalt, Leckie and Gary are some of the hardest hit by the current six-year water crisis. All have Methodist churches that are part of the Welch Charge.

To ease the burden of residents who have to purchase many gallons of drinking water weekly, the Welch Charge contacted the West Virginia Conference Disaster Response Coordinator, Jim McCune, for help. McCune’s United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) connection put him in touch with Global Ministries’ Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) program. 

A WASH grant allowed them to obtain a 500-gallon “water buffalo.” The conference disaster response team arranged to fill the portable water buffalo from the Welch water system, the county seat of McDowell, and transport it to Gary, where residents have been supplied with refillable containers. Residents of all three towns can come to get water, and volunteers will also continue deliveries for those who need it. Meanwhile, residents, including church members, continue to advocate state and local officials for a permanent solution to their aging, compromised water infrastructure. Full Story