| Offering helps others around the globe By Erik AlsgaardUMConnection staff A hurricane strikes land in Florida. A flood devastates Houston, Texas. An earthquake flattens parts of an entire province. Civil war is waged in Africa. A bookstores roof is damaged in Michigan. And through it all, United Methodists of the Baltimore-Washington Conference are there, giving comfort, aid, healing and hope. How is this possible? Through the ministry of the United Methodist Committee on Relief, millions of people around the world are touched with the love and grace of God. UMCOR responds to all manner of disasters, man-made or not. They are often the first to come and the last to leave. On the fourth Sunday in Lent March 30 this year United Methodists have the opportunity to support UMCOR and continue its ministry of emergency response and after care through the One Great Hour of Sharing offering. The offering received from One Great Hour of Sharing helps provide dollars for administrative costs, according to UMCORs Web site, http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/ oghs.stm. Less than 10 percent of UMCORs total budget goes to administrative costs. One Great Hour of Sharing is our major source for keeping the lights on and the system in place, said Mel Luetchens, communications director of UMCOR. Because of One Great Hour, we can truly offer that Advance money and designated funds will go 100 percent to the program. It is essential for keeping the network in place at home and around the world. A critical part of the One Great Hour offering, UMCORs Advance ministries go above and beyond regular mission and ministry programs. Very few Advance ministries are funded fully by Advance giving from individual United Methodists and local churches, the UMCOR Web site notes. In fact, some receive no Advance gifts. They may not capture the imagination of the church, but they carry out vital, much needed ministries. One example of an Advance appeal is Advance #623225-4, Iraq Emergency. Donations will support humanitarian efforts in Iraq. UMCOR is working with its ecumenical partners, helping to provide food, aid, tents and blankets, medicine and relief kits. One hundred percent of each gift to this or any other Advance goes to that particular effort. Donations may also be made on-line or by phone, (800) 554-8583. Churches in the Baltimore-Washington Conference may ordermaterials for the One Great Hour offering by calling (888) UMC-3242; fax (770) 442-9742. | 
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