Toronto: The United Church of Canada congratulated the federal government today for its commitment to provide an additional $50 million in financial support to humanitarian organizations delivering assistance to people in East Africa who are suffering as a result of the worst drought in 60 years.

The church also welcomed the government's decision to establish the East Africa Drought Relief Fund which will be used to benefit those most affected by the drought.

In addition The United Church of Canada congratulated the federal government on its commitment to match the charitable donations of Canadians who take action to support charities of their choice.

"These matching funds will encourage Canadians from all walks of life to provide direct support to organizations that are working in East Africa right now," says David Armour, The United Church of Canada's Director of Philanthropy.

The United Church of Canada is providing humanitarian relief in the region through its partners, including ACT Alliance, the National Council of Churches in Kenya, and the Organization of African Instituted Churches.

Earlier this week the United Church announced it was launching an Emergency Appeal for the Horn of Africa to respond to this humanitarian crisis.

Today's announcement means that funds raised through this appeal between July 6, 2011 and September 16, 2011, will be matched by the federal government.

Members of the United Church and the general public are encouraged to contribute to the work of ACT and the United Church's partners on the ground in East Africa by making a donation today at

Flamborough Food Bank. Your donations can be left in the food boxes outside the Hall upstairs or in the back of the Sanctuary. Donations are taken to the food bank after the first Sunday of each month.

Winston the M&S Bear is available to purchase again for only $10. Please see Wendy in the church office, or Pat Simpson to place your order. Pat is offering to personalize each bear with your child’s name. They make a great gifts for kids and all money goes to the Mission & Service Fund.

Collecting for Charities: Pleasea continue to bring in used postage stamps of all denominations. Leave at least 1/4" around the stamp when cutting it from the envelope. Stamps are collected, bundled, and delivered to the Leprosy Mission who sell them to stamp dealers in order to help support their work in combating and treating Leprosy.

We also collect used eyeglasses to send overseas through local Optometrist, Dr. Derrick Thornborrow. They are distributed to those in need in third world countries who otherwise have no access to eyewear to correct their vision.

Other items we collect are empty ink cartridges from printers, Campbell's Soup Labels, pennies for Outreach, ad Canadian Tire money. They can be put in the labeled drawers in the hallway upstairs outside the washrooms, or in the wicker stand at the back of the Sanctuary against the wall.  

KIVA Micro Finance Project: You may recall that the 2007 Vacation Bible School raised about $150 and chose to use the money to make loans to needy entrepreneurs in emerging countries through the KIVA web site which connect generous lenders to those borrowers using micro finance organizations in their respective countries. Since that time 17 loans have been made, 9 of which have been fully repaid and the money relent, to recipients in 14 different countries. Check out the bulletin board outside the upsatirs Hall for pictures of the individuals who have had their lives changed by these loans. For more information on KIVA and our loan portfolio which is managed by Paul Might, visit thes internet sites: www.kiva.org/lender/stjames2706 and www.kiva.org or talk to Paul! 905-631-6384.

M & S FUND

World Development and Relief (WDR) is the only area within the Mission and Service Fund to which you can designate funds. In fact, United Church people give close to $500 000 annually in support of WDR. The amount of money the United Church actually budgets for world development and relief spending is close to four times this amount. Additional funds for this work come from Mission and Service Fund contributions. All WDR money is spend on overseas development projects, emergency relief efforts and rehabilitation. To make an online donation to the M & S Fund or specifically the WDR Fund please visit http://www.strategicprofitsinc.com/unitedchurch/donate/index.php

LINKS:

www.wesleyurbanministries.com

http://www.kiva.org/lender/stjames2706

www.drummondhouse.ca

www.stevenmkuhn.com

www.scaw.org (Sleeping Children Around The World)

www.inform.hamilton.ca/details.asp?RSN=28931 (Flamborough Food Bank)

http://www.united-church.ca/funding/msfund 

How the United Church Responds to Emergencies - In responding to emergencies, the United Church gives priority to building the capacity of indigenous organizations to respond to local situations and enhance their emergency preparedness. We rely on expertise and reporting from global partner organizations to ensure the effective use of funds. Unlike large, specialized agencies whose primary work is emergency relief, the United Church maintains a limited capacity for emergency response, and does not usually deploy personnel to accompany or monitor a relief effort. The United Church is able to draw on or engage with several support mechanisms when responding to an emergency…

Emergency Response Fund: The United Church of Canada's Emergency Response Fund (ERF) is used to help alleviate the effects of humanitarian crises caused by nature, humans, or a combination of both. Usually these responses are short- or intermediate-term in nature. However, the ERF is also used in support of longer-term rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts. Each year the ERF is replenished with funds from the unified Mission and Service Fund (currently $130,000/year). In addition, the ERF is replenished with a percentage of "supragift" monies received. (Supragifts are donations made by United Church members or others that are above and beyond the Mission and Service Fund. They cannot be counted as Mission and Service Fund credits but are eligible for tax receipts.) Eighty-five percent of supragifts received and intended for disaster relief are deposited in the fund and allocated as designated by the donor, while 15 percent of the same supragift donations are retained and used to maintain the ERF.

Action by Churches Together (ACT): The United Church is a member of ACT, a global consortium of faith-based agencies and churches that has substantial capacity to respond to emergencies in all parts of the world. ACT works through its various regional and country members to respond to specific emergencies. It is able to draw on a standing Rapid Response Fund and relies on extra donations from its members for major disasters.

Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB): The United Church is a member of the CFGB. Primarily a food aid organization, the CFGB is able to organize substantial food aid interventions in emergency situations in the global South. Each year United Church members contribute equity to the Foodgrains Bank in the form of cash and grain produced through local growing projects. The equity is used in support of specific emergency responses.

Special Appeals: When a major disasters occur, the United Church is sometimes able to issue a special fundraising appeal to its members, guided by an Emergency Response Protocol. Funds raised are usually shared directly with global partners or channelled through an ACT appeal.

Toronto: The United Church of Canada congratulated the federal government today for its commitment to provide an additional $50 million in financial support to humanitarian organizations delivering assistance to people in East Africa who are suffering as a result of the worst drought in 60 years.

The church also welcomed the government's decision to establish the East Africa Drought Relief Fund which will be used to benefit those most affected by the drought.

In addition The United Church of Canada congratulated the federal government on its commitment to match the charitable donations of Canadians who take action to support charities of their choice.

"These matching funds will encourage Canadians from all walks of life to provide direct support to organizations that are working in East Africa right now," says David Armour, The United Church of Canada's Director of Philanthropy.

The United Church of Canada is providing humanitarian relief in the region through its partners, including ACT Alliance, the National Council of Churches in Kenya, and the Organization of African Instituted Churches.

Earlier this week the United Church announced it was launching an Emergency Appeal for the Horn of Africa to respond to this humanitarian crisis.

Today's announcement means that funds raised through this appeal between July 6, 2011 and September 16, 2011, will be matched by the federal government.

Members of the United Church and the general public are encouraged to contribute to the work of ACT and the United Church's partners on the ground in East Africa by making a donation today at