A Samaritan, who was on a journey, came to where the man was. But when he saw him, he was moved with compassion. The Samaritan went to him and bandaged his wounds, tending them with oil and wine. Then he placed the wounded man on his own donkey, took him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day, he took two full days' worth of wages and gave them to the innkeeper. He said, 'Take care of him, and when I return, I will pay you back for any additional costs.' What do you think? Which one of these three was a neighbor to the man who encountered thieves?" Then the legal expert said, "The one who demonstrated mercy toward him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise." ~Luke 10:33-37 (CEB)

On Sunday, March 30, United Methodists around the world will join in the work of loving our neighbor, healing a broken world, and cultivating generosity by celebrating UMCOR Sunday. In the Dakotas Conference, this will also mark the kick-off for our Annual Conference Miracle Offering that will be given to support the work of this vital mission of The United Methodist Church.

In 1940, the Methodist Committee on Relief (MCOR) was founded by Bishop Herbert Welch in response to persons who were displaced and vulnerable because of the devastating effects of World War II. Thomas Kemper, former general secretary of the General Board of Global Ministries, once described UMCOR's founding as "a powerful Wesleyan tradition of concern for the vulnerable. Bishop Herbert Welch, its founder, conceived the idea as a loving response to a world of

violence. God's grace equips us for this obligation." In 1948, MCOR's work expanded to include "rehabilitation," committing to the long-term work needed to rebuild communities after conflict or natural disasters.

Bishop Welch was also committed to the value that this relief aid would be provided "without distinction of race, color or creed." Receiving relief would not depend upon what "side of the conflict the survivor's country of origin was on. UMCOR remains committed to this value and works to care for the needs of unserved and vulnerable populations in a way that maintains their dignity. This humanitarian aid, in the name of Jesus, is a visible symbol of God's love for all people.

Aftermath of the Rapid City flood of 1972 (Photo courtesy of City of Rapid City).

The Dakotas Conference has a strong history of supporting the work of UMCOR around the world. The people of the Dakotas have also been the beneficiaries of this connectional response ministry. UMCOR's work in domestic disaster response was born in Rapid City, South Dakota, in response to the 1972 flood. In recent years, UMCOR has deployed human and financial resources in response to flooding, tornadoes, and devastating storms across the two states in partnership with local churches and conference leadership.

UMCOR is a powerful example of connectionalism in action. The infrastructure and connectional relationships in The United Methodist Church allow for immediate and effective response in times of deep need, particularly after a disaster strikes. UMCOR comes alongside local leaders and organizations to support immediate relief and long-term recovery.

UMCOR Emergency Response Training (ERT) and emergency grants are two examples of tangible responses in the early days following a disaster – reminders to those affected that they are not alone in the response and recovery journey. However, United Methodists are perhaps best known for "being the last to leave" – providing multi-year, phased support and long-term disaster recovery and mitigation strategies. UMCOR comes alongside conferences with training, expertise, and resources to fit the unique context and circumstances. Long after the headlines have faded, the United Methodist witness through UMCOR remains.

Flood wreckage at Minot Faith UMC in 2011 (Photo by UMNews).

Another connectional aspect related to UMCOR's work is the Sager Brown Supply Depot and affiliate warehouses within the United Methodist Relief Supply Network. Located across the United States, these sites collect response kits (e.g., Home Care, Personal Dignity, School, etc.) from surrounding churches to be distributed to areas of need following a disaster.

The Dakotas Conference is excited that Asbury United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has become a donation site for Midwest Mission, an affiliate warehouse located in Jefferson, Iowa. "We store [the kits], and either we make arrangements to drive them to Jefferson, or we can contact Midwest Mission to see if they are going to be in the area and could pick them up," explained Cindy Nelson, Asbury Mission Team chair (Kits can be dropped off any time the church is open).

Click image to download this large UMCOR poster.

In addition to disaster response, UMCOR works to alleviate human suffering caused by global migration. The Global Migration program helps refugees and migrants, including asylum seekers, refugees, economic migrants, environmental refugees, internally displaced persons, and trafficked and stateless individuals, as well as the churches and ecumenical networks that assist them. UMCOR partners with other organizations that work directly with these populations to provide food aid, basic necessities, and legal and transportation services for vulnerable migrants and refugees.

The Mustard Seed Migration Grant program from UMCOR is also designed to encourage United Methodists to engage in ministry to migrants in their local communities and regions. Recently, Legacy UMC in Bismarck, North Dakota, was awarded one of these grants to support the work they are doing with refugees from Ukraine living in the Bismarck area.

One of the ways United Methodists across the connection make the ministry of UMCOR possible is through UMCOR Sunday. Formerly known as One Great Hour of Sharing, UMCOR Sunday is one of the six special offerings in the United Methodist Church. Special Sundays are an opportunity to cultivate generosity and deepen the connection between the local church and United Methodist ministries around the world.

Gifts given on UMCOR Sunday are vital in fueling the church's worldwide humanitarian response by supporting UMCOR's administrative costs. This special offering underwrites UMCOR's "costs of doing business" and, in turn, helps UMCOR keep the promise that "100% of any gift to a specific UMCOR project will go toward that project, not to administrative costs." By investing in UMCOR's operations, we empower the church to mobilize resources quickly and efficiently, making a meaningful impact in communities affected by disaster and hardship around the world.

Around the world and in our local communities, there are still neighbors "by the side of the road" who have been "robbed" of hope, stability, and basic human needs because of natural disasters, persecution, and violence. God is still calling us to respond in ways that may require us to step beyond our comfort zones or make sacrifices. However, they are also powerful opportunities to see the transforming and healing power of Jesus Christ in our midst. Through our gifts to the work of UMCOR, we serve as partners in the ongoing mission and ministry of peace and transformation in our world.

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Resources are available to support participation in this special offering. The resource kit contains links to information about the day, downloadable print materials, promotions designed for social media, announcements for your bulletin or newsletter, and videos with testimonials by people whose lives have been changed through the support of our connection. There are also links to bulletin covers and inserts, a call to worship, and sermon starters. All these resources are free and come with permission to share.