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Beloved,
Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ.
Our hearts are heavy as we turn our attention to the people of Venezuela, who now face great suffering in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake. Entire communities have been shaken. Lives have been lost, homes reduced to rubble, and the fragile threads of daily life have been torn apart in a matter of moments.
As United Methodists, we are a people shaped by grace and sent in love. We are called to believe and to respond by embodying compassion in tangible ways. From our earliest days, we have understood that holiness is expressed in acts of mercy, in tending to the wounded, in standing alongside the vulnerable, and in restoring dignity where it has been diminished.
This is who we are.
In times such as these, we are reminded that we belong to one another. The pain of our neighbors - near or far - is not distant from us in the Body of Christ. Scripture teaches us that when one member suffers, all suffer together. The cries rising from Venezuela are the cries of our own family.
Ruben Saenz Jr.
Bishop-elect Ruben Saenz Jr. of the South Central Jurisdiction
Through the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), we have a trusted and faithful channel to extend that care. UMCOR is already working with partners on the ground to provide emergency assistance, including food, clean water, medical care, and shelter. Their presence is a sign of hope in times of despair.
I invite you to join in this sacred work of healing by supporting these efforts. Our generosity becomes a lifeline for those who are suffering.
You may give through UMCOR at the following link: Click here to give
Even as we give, we also pray.
Let us pray for those who mourn, that they may be comforted.
For those who are injured, that they may be restored.
For those who have lost homes and livelihoods, that they may find shelter and stability.
For first responders and relief workers, that they may be strengthened for the work before them.
And for the Church in Venezuela, that it may continue to be a beacon of hope, courage, and steadfast love.
May the peace of Christ guide us and may the compassion of God move us to act.
Walking with You in Christ's Mission,
Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr.
President, Council of Bishops
The United Methodist Church
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