wfn.org | UMCOR sets Feb. 24 teleconference

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

Dec. 18, 1998	Contact: Linda Bloom·(212) 870-3803·New York
10-71B{748}

NEW YORK (UMNS) -- A satellite teleconference about the work of the
United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is scheduled for Feb. 24 at
8 p.m. Eastern Time.

The one-hour program will celebrate the 50th anniversary of  "One Great
Hour of Sharing," a yearly offering that provides the bulk of the
monetary support for UMCOR's general operations. UMCOR is a part of the
United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.

The 1999 One Great Hour of Sharing offering will be taken on March 15.

Wendy Whiteside, the UMCOR executive who is coordinating the
teleconference, said she hopes the program will provide "a mutual
sharing of information about the work" and an increase in participation
by United Methodists. "A third of the whole show will be dedicated to
people's questions and comments and our response to those," she added.

One Great Hour of Sharing originated in 1949, when North American
Christians responded to widespread humanitarian need following World War
II. The first special offering to relieve worldwide suffering drew
participation from 75,000 churches.

Since then, the offering has assisted with development aid, disaster
relief and refugee resettlement in more than 70 countries. Working with
local communities, UMCOR and other church relief agencies create
partnerships in areas overwhelmed by poverty, hunger, disease, conflict
and natural disaster.

The teleconference will review the work of UMCOR that is made possible
by One Great Hour of Sharing and include a panel discussion by UMCOR
staff about the conference, local church and partner relationships which
make the agency's work more effective.

Panelists will be the Rev. Paul Dirdak, UMCOR's chief executive; the
Rev. Lloyd Rollins, assistant general secretary for emergency response;
Lilia Fernandez, executive secretary for refugee concerns, and
Whiteside.  M. Garlinda Burton, editor of Interpreter Magazine, will
serve as moderator.

The teleconference is free to all participants and downlinks.  Host
sites with satellite dishes are currently being sought across the
country. For information on becoming a host site or where to view the
teleconference, contact UMCOR at (212) 870-3814 or by e-mail at
UMCOR@gbgm-umc.org.

United Methodist News Service
(615)742-5470
Releases and photos also available at
http://www.umc.org/umns/