Site
Contents
 |
General Information about the Area Office
North Indiana Conference Office
South Indiana Conference Office
Prayer Guides
(Courtesy of the NIC Prayer Team)
Area United Methodist
Foundation
For resources to assist your congregation in welcoming guests,
click here
Seashore District Volunteer Center VIM project -- Completed
Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodists together |
Nov./Dec. 2004 |
Meet UMCOR's Paul Dirdak
By Matthew Oates
One could argue that when it comes to Indiana, general church leaders are much like presidents: they rarely visit here.
But on Oct. 17, the Rev. Paul Dirdak, deputy general secretary of the General Board of Global Ministries, came to Indiana to celebrate one of the Hoosier state's contributions to the American and global society - agriculture.
Dirdak, who has served six years as deputy general secretary, came and celebrated the harvesting of 23 acres of corn in the Benton County community of Oxford, which were sponsored by Grace UMC in Lafayette and Oxford UMC. In between the celebration service, lunch and harvesting, he talked to Together about some of the challenges facing the United Methodist Committee On Relief (UMCOR).
"If it's in the paper, we already know about it," said Dirdak about UMCOR being one of the first groups contacted regarding disasters. But UMCOR's job is more than just disaster relief, it's about looking at the cause of the disaster, which is more than just the natural aspects.
"What I'm concerned about is how many poor people are affected and how vulnerable they are. Another is are the people organized or not," he said.
Dirdak also said that if the local community is disorganized UMCOR is ready to step in: "We organize and tell the staff we're in anger management. Disasters make everyone mad."
He is appreciative of all the volunteers -- including those from Indiana -- who give of their time with disaster relief and are familiar with UMCOR's mission. UMCOR has been involved in disasters in 48 out of the 50 states.
"Everyone is receiving," said Dirdak of donors and implementers. "There have (been people who have) been both."
With four hurricanes crossing Florida and the Caribbean this year, more communities are hurting than what many people realize. "It's awful. It's a nightmare. The region of disaster is so vast." Some communities in Florida are now opening up for volunteers, but Dirdak knows that thousands of peoples' way of life has been changed forever.
Hoosiers can continue helping in the relief mainly by donating unrestricted funds to UMCOR. For more information, log on to: www.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/.
Last updated on 25 Apr 2008