UMCOR and SUM’s Volunteers in Mission: A Winning Combination

Since 2006, SUM’s Volunteers in Mission has teamed up with UMCOR to meet the needs of those who find themselves in the aftermath of natural disasters. SUM’s Disaster Response Ministry continued in January with a second long-term hurricane recovery trip to Ft. Meyers, FL, with ten volunteers representing four churches! Together, we finished installing doors and flooring for one family. In another home, we reinstalled sheetrock and painted new ceilings while providing hope and reassurance that God is walking this journey with them and that they’re not alone. After many years of VIM work, a BIG first occurred on this trip! Homeowners Heather and Bob asked to be baptized, and retired Rev. Dr. Craig Fitzsimmons just happened to be our team leader! Dressed in work clothes and boots, we stood beside them and responded as the church at large. Craig’s words and prayers brought tears to all as two new friends became siblings in Christ. These experiences do not happen in a vacuum! The continuous support of SUM and UMCOR teaming together allows us to be the hands of Christ to so many.  

Don’t forget! SUM’s UMCOR Sunday is tomorrow, April 14th. Special offerings on that day will help underwrite UMCOR’s administrative costs and ensure that 100% of other gifts directed to specific UMCOR projects throughout the year will go toward those projects. 

Cassandra Broadus-Garcia
SUM VIM Coordinator