News

Moving toward sustainable development in Haiti

By Marvé Ralston, special contributor Rev. Jim Gulley, consultant to United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), gave a workshop focused on “sustainable development” in Haiti at the Global Missions Experience Feb. 25. Rev. Jim Gulley, UMCOR consultant, shares information about creating long-term change and sustainability in Haiti. (photo by Marvé Ralston) Gulley works with...

St. Peter's UMW makes pillowcase dresses for Haiti girls

By Laura Kerley, special contributor The fellowship hall of St. Peter's United Methodist Church in Topeka was abuzz with activity Jan. 18, where the local United Methodist Women's unit was busy making pillowcase dresses for little girls in Haiti. With four sewing machines whirring and others cutting and measuring, in about two hours, the women completed at least eight adorable dresses with a number of others started. Some of the women took the partially completed ones home to finish, bringing...

Many hands needed in Haiti

By Sheryl Crooks, special contributor “Mardi 12 Janvier 2010. Dieu est bon.” is written on the chalkboard in the Methodist School in Mellier, Haiti. It translates as “Tuesday, January 12, 2010. God is good.” Mellier was close to the epicenter of the Haiti earthquake last year. The Methodist church was completely destroyed, and the school is no longer structurally safe. Classes are held in a UNICEF tent under some trees. Tarps are hung outside to shade the students and...

Conference approves Haiti partnership

LEAWOOD - Kansas East Conference members June 10 unanimously adopted a covenant agreement between the conference and the Haiti District of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas. “We’ve been sending teams to Haiti for well over 35 years,” said Rev. Claudia Bakely, chairperson of the Conference Board of Global Ministries. “Many of you remember the Rebecca at the Well project. Many people all over the conference have been on teams to Haiti, most often...

Haiti partnership tops business items

A proposed partnership between the Kansas East Annual Conference and the Haiti District of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas tops business items at the 2010 Kansas East Annual Conference session June 9-12. Under the proposal, church members will be asked to hold each other in prayer, work together in mutual relationships and develop and implement various projects and activities including three specific projects identified by Gesner Paul, president of the Methodist Church...

Haiti pilot project readied for mission volunteers

By Elliott Wright General Board of Global Ministries STAMFORD, Conn.—Earthquake-related United Methodist mission-volunteer service in Haiti will focus on housing, health, education and pastoral services under a six-month pilot project expected to get underway soon. The pilot, which could be extended for a longer period, will involve both Haitians and volunteers from outside the country. It is the outcome of consultations among the representatives of the Methodist Church in Haiti, the...

Conference collects 28,392 health kits for Haiti

TOPEKA—The Kansas East Conference provided 28,392 health kits for the people of Haiti. In addition, two pallets of surplus items and a pallet of birthing and layette kits were sent. United Methodist Church of the Resurrection served as the final collection point for health kits in the Kansas East Conference. Kits were collected at more than 35 local churches and other sites in communities across the conference. Students at the Washburn Campus Ministry organized a drive for kits on...

KEC Leadership Team endorses pursuit of Haiti covenant

By Lisa Elliott Diehl Area Communications director TOPEKA—The Kansas East Leadership Team March 20 unanimously approved the conference Board of Global Ministries’ efforts to explore a partnership with the Methodist Church of Haiti. Claudia Bakely, conference Global Ministries chairperson, said the board has discussed many times establishing an official conference covenant with another annual conference or branch of the Methodist Church. “There are a lot of diverse places...

Haitian Methodist president expresses appreciation

By Rev. Gesner Paul On behalf of the Methodist Church in Haiti and the Haitian people, we thank you. Thank you all for your outpouring of love, support and Christian brotherhood in our great hour of need. Haiti has suffered a great tragedy, and to rebuild, recover and strengthen, it will take us all. You have kept us in your prayers, and we are grateful. You have sent donations through the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). We thank you for your generosity. You have expressed your...

Kansas missionaries recall Haiti earthquake

By Susan Cooper Associate director of Communications WICHITA—When the 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on Jan. 12, two United Methodist missionaries from Kansas were in the capital city of Port-au-Prince. Joe and Shirley Edgerton had lived on La Gonâve, an island of Haiti west of Port-au-Prince, for two years as long-term volunteers through the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM). They ended their term and came back to the United States in 2009. But they returned to...