* Any views expressed in this article are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.
NEWS: PSYCHOSOCIAL RELIEF FOR WAR-AFFECTED GAZA
Gaza’s prolonged unresolved conflict and political situation continue to have a negative impact on the social, cultural, and mental makeup of the Palestinian community there. The conflict is creating a unique case of complex and chronic challenges that have caused economic disadvantages and socio-cultural limitations for war-impacted communities.
The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has provided a grant to ACT Alliance for the Department of Service to Palestine Refugees/Middle East Council of Churches to support the implementation of a counseling program for individuals and groups, specifically women and children, to help alleviate the stress provoked by the current crisis.
The program offers psychosocial services, through which participants can take part in recreational activities and trips with the assistance of social workers. Palestinian youth living in the Gaza Strip will gain useful skills by attending vocational training centers.
Some 600 children will benefit from the program which offers three summer camps and five recreational trips. In addition, some 10,000 women will benefit from psychosocial interventions.
You can bring relief to those affected by conflict, war, or natural disasters by giving to International Disaster Response, Advance #982450.
PRAYER: CHINA EARTHQUAKE
Please pray for survivors of a 6.6 magnitude earthquake that struck Dingxi, Gansu Province, in northwest China on July 22. The earthquake and several hundred aftershocks have caused at least 94 deaths, injured more than 1,000 people, and destroyed or severely damaged more than 22,500 homes. Intercede with Psalm 46:1.
UMCOR OPENINGS: MONITORING AND EVALUATION MANAGER
UMCOR is seeking a monitoring and evaluation manager to work with staff of the International Programs unit as well as the executive secretaries of Monitoring and Evaluation for UMCOR and Global Ministries. Learn more by visiting the Careers page.
RESOURCE: RELIEF SUPPLIES ARE NEEDED
At UMCOR Sager Brown in Baldwin, Louisiana, and UMCOR West in Salt Lake City, Utah, the inventory of relief-supply kits remains desperately low.
Share this bulletin insert during your Sunday offering and help collect a special offering to help replenish supplies. You can offer copies of this insert at your church’s resource tables or post on a bulletin board to encourage donations. You might also play this video from Greg Forrester, UMCOR’s US Disaster Response executive, during offering time to encourage further support.
Learn how to assemble relief kits here or make an online donation now.
MEDIA: A MOMENT WITH JACK AMICK
Watch a video featuring the Rev. Jack Amick, UMCOR’s new International Disaster executive, as he speaks about being an ambassador for Christ to bring restoration and reconciliation to a hurting world.
