UMCOR Distributes $1 Million in United Methodist Funds While Mourning
Written by Ron Retherford
Tuesday, 19 January 2010 14:43
UMCOR Distributes $1 Million in United Methodist Funds While Mourning
Leader's Deaths

The tragic loss of life in Haiti due to the powerful earthquake was
increased by the deaths of two United Methodist Pastors who were high level
denominational leaders seeking to improve the health systems in the poorest
nation in the Western Hemisphere. Rev. Sam Dixon, Leader of the United
Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and former local church pastor, was no
stranger to "hands on" helping as victims of the Indonesian Tsunami know.
Rev. Clinton Rabb also spent nearly 20 years as a pastor and chaplain in
Texas before joining the Board of Global Ministries to focus on special
initiatives in the evangelization and church growth unit before moving to
the division on Mission Volunteers in July 2006. Both had come to Haiti to
make life better for the poor and afflicted.

"Dixon and Rabb were two sides of the triangle for mission," said Debbie
Vest, coordinator of United Methodist Volunteers in Mission for the South
Central Jurisdiction. "We have lost two outstanding individuals. I can
readily understand the grief of the Haitians and the sadness of the people
you see on the street because those are our faces as well." UMCOR President,
Bishop Janice Riggle Huie, explained that "both lived lives following the
commandments of Jesus to care for the sick and love the least of these, all
over the world." Dixon and Rabb were just two of hundreds of United
Methodists in Haiti trying to improve health services and follow Jesus'
commands to reach out to those in need.

As we make donations to alleviate the suffering in this tragic situation, we
invite your prayers for the families, colleagues, and mission teams whose
sorrow has increased exponentially. It is clear that there are costs when we
seek to be disciples and serve where God calls us to go. These two faithful
leaders gave all they had to help the poor. How can we be more faithful in
our service of those in need in our own area? What gifts do we have to
offer? What skills can God use for mission in our church, our community,
South Eastern Wisconsin, and beyond? Are we willing to make sacrifices to
follow Christ's commandments? Our answers to these questions will not only
help to determine our future and the future of our churches, but also shape
the world God calls us to serve.
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