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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodists together |
February 2005 |
Bishop asks Hoosiers to rebuild Banda Aceh church
By Daniel R. Gangler
When United Methodist Committee On Relief (UMCOR) representatives recently visited the parts of Indonesia most hard-hit by the tsunami disaster of Dec. 26, they encountered on the island of Sumatera in the town of Banda Aceh, a local Methodist Church (part of the Methodist Church of Indonesia) that was destroyed by the tsunami. This small town on the northern edge of Sumatera was nearest the actual epicenter of the earthquake, and the devastation there was reported to be amazing.
The pastor of that Methodist church in Banda Aceh requested help from UMCOR in rebuilding his church as a place of hope for his people. Christians there are a small minority and are often persecuted. Now with their church building destroyed, they are losing hope. UMCOR has agreed to make the rebuilding of the Methodist Church of Banda Aceh a priority (along with rebuilding houses for displaced people, providing medicine, and many other basic needs).
After hearing the Rev. Randy Day, general secretary of the General Board of Global Ministries, talk about the need to rebuild the Methodist Church of Banda Aceh, Bishop Coyner said his heart was touched, and he volunteered that the Indiana Area of The United Methodist Church could take on this project and raise the money needed for that church. How much will be needed? Coyner said, "We really don't know yet, because it will be difficult to get equipment into that area even to remove the debris and toxic materials washed in by the huge waves."
Coyner told Day that the Indiana Area will rebuild that Methodist church "no matter what it costs. I promised that because I know that United Methodists in Indiana Area are mission-minded, generous people." Estimates are the project may cost $150,000.
Bishop Coyner asks for help from Indiana's 1,200 United Methodist congregations to rebuild Banda Aceh Methodist Church in Indonesia. Special gifts and offerings can be sent to the North and South Indiana Conferences' treasurers marked "Rebuild the Methodist Church in Indonesia" and those funds will be forwarded to that specific project.
Coyner said he does not want this effort take away from any regular giving to support a local churches own ministry, to pay conference apportionments, or to support the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering on Sunday, March 6 for the administration of relief and rehabilitation projects worldwide. He said if congregations have extra mission funds to help rebuild the Methodist Church of Banda Aceh, then they can help restore hope to the Methodist people of Indonesia as they attempt to put their lives back together.
North Indiana United Methodists are asked to send their contributions for this project to: North Indiana Conference Treasurer, P.O. Box 869, Marion, IN 46952. South Indiana United Methodists are asked to send their contributions for this project to: South Indiana Conference Treasurer, 1520 South Liberty Dr., Bloomington, IN 47403-2307. If you have questions about giving, contact conference treasurers at Marion 800-783-5138, and at Bloomington 800-919-8160.
Last updated on 25 Apr 2008