NEWS

TSUNAMI RELIEF : As you are aware, the destruction and devastation caused by the Tsunami (Tidal waves) is the worst natural disaster to ravage South East Asia. The scenes of horror that I encountered, on my visit to a few place, continue to haunt me. Thousand have lost their lives, their homes and belongings. Many have been displaced and are being sheltered in Camps opened in Churches, Temples, schools, etc. among those who suffered are many members of our Church, including our ministers and workers.

I am personally thankful to our members who have taken immediate steps to collect items of food, clothing, medicine and other urgently needed material, etc. and have them distributed among people in affected areas.

Steps taken by the Church

The first such relief was provided by our Church to the people in Galle, Matara, Batticaloa and Trincomalle on 27 Dec. Over 10 Camps have now been set up in our churches and other buildings, where people are being
sheltered and cared for.

A task Force with a two-fold purpose has been appointed by the Standing
Committee.

1.    To attend to the urgent and immediate needs of affected people. With this end in view, a Collection Centre has been set up at Methodist Headquarter (Scott Hall). I urge all our members to give generously and
bring in their contributions to this Centre. These contributions would then be sorted, packed and despatched to affected areas in an effective manner, ensuring that relief is evenly distributed and not duplicated. Be assured that your contributions will reach the needy. The immediate needs are=
    *    Dry /rations
    *    Milk foods for children
    *    Medicines (Antibiotics, Pain killers, antiseptics, bandages, plasters etc)
    *    Clothing
    *    Bedding (mats, pillows, sheets, towels etc)
    *    drinking water
    *    Toiletries (toothpowder, toothpaste, soap sanitary napkins with loops, tapes, etc)

A 'Hot Line' has been set up at Methodist Headquarters to provide further information and also to collect and collate information. Phone no.575638 will be manned from 8.30 a.m. - 4.30 p.m. on week days and Saturdays Phone No. 2826035 after hours. And on Sundays, Rev Leslie Dareeju has been appointed Co-ordinator. Please pass on any information regarding specific needs to Methodist Headquarters as soon as possible. More details will also be available with the Centre.

Money (cash/cheque) can be sent to Methodist Church Account no. 01-100352061 at the Standard Chartered Bank, 37 York Street, Colombo 1.

2    Long Term Relief Measures.

    The Task Force is looking into this area, where there will be a need to provide the folloing :
    *    Construction and/or repair of houses
    *    Facilities for school children to continue their education
    *    Provide counselling services.
What can YOU do :
    *    Pray for the victims and their families: for survivors and displaced people; for all aid workers, for donors in Sri Lanka and abroad.
    *    Organise prayer groups in Churches and homes.
     *    Display a banner in your Church/Church hall as an indicator of being a collection centre.
    *    Please deliver your generous donations to Methodist Headquarter (Scott Hall)
    *    Please offer special prayers at your Watchnight Services and the New Year services and all Church   from    now onwards.

Let us all join together, unite and work at this time of nee

Methodist Church Sri Lanka Tsunami Disaster Relief Operations as at 6 Jan. 2005

The Methodist church has been requested to co-ordinate all medical assistance to all the Refugee camps, 11 in all

The Church ran a small Refugee Camp in the Church premises but it is now closed as the facilities were inadequate.

Dry Rations are being distributed to the refugees who were transferred to other camps.

Within the last few days, refugees have come to the Kiran Ashram , which is under our care.

Caring for 50 families who have moved away from the Kalawankemi area

Dry rations and other assistance being given to the State run Refugee Camp at the Central College (former Methodist school)

With the help of the ASP in Batticaloa, helping displaced people who are now living with their relatives and no in a Camp.

Facilitating people to clear their homes in the Amirthaveli area

Our minister, Rev Christy Kumar is the Co-ordinator of the Relief Programme in the area

Relief supplies being given to affected people in the Koddaikallar and Ontjimadam areas

Looking after about 75 families. We expect that in the near future, some children will be sent to Christa Illam

40 families in Nilaweli have been severely affected. 230 families in Muttur are being cared for. The Church is working in collaboration with the Inter Faith Committee, first to ensure that thesee families receive immediate relief. It must be mentioned that not much relief has reached Verugal

As State run Refugee Camps exist in this area, The Church is involved in clearing wells, spraying disinfectants.

Distributing dry rations to refugees who have come from Mullativu. Assessing the situation to plan future programmes.

Our minister, Ref Surangika Fernando, who has a good relationship with leaders of other faiths and is well accepted, is doing effective work. Dry rations and other needs are being supplied to about 150 families. Assistance has been given to clean up debris. Students educational needs have been met by the Church.

The Korean team of Doctors assisted in the medical treatment at Rahula College Refugee Camp, where over 1,200 people are accommodated. Over 30 people from the school next door come daily to the Mission House for meals, which are supplied by Rev Anil Silva and his wife. Relief supplies are being distributed.

30 People are being accommodated in the Mission House and the Minister, Rev Kingsley Weeraasinghe and his wife supply with with meals. 25 others come daily for meals. Dry rations and other needs are being supplied to those who have lost their livelihood in Kalahe.

Ran a Refugee Camp until the Government requested the refugees to go into the Camp run by the State. Supplied relief aid to Galle and Tangalle.

Supplied lunch and dinner to displaced persons on the day of disaster, ie. 26 December.

* Relief supplies reached all affected areas except Mullaitivu within 4 days.

* Arrangements are being made for Trauma Counselling ie. to train people in the villages on basic Trauma Counselling, where will be able to identify 'difficult case; and channel them to fully qualified Counsellors.

* Children - some injured and orphaned children have been handed over the care of the Maradana Church

* The Task Force is now looking into specific areas of need, so that project proposals can be sent to donors.

* There is a need to help the fishermen who have lost their belongings and therefore their livelihood in Valachchenai. 80 such families are being cared for by the Kiran Fishermens Society .

* The members of our congregations were able to act extremely quickly to assist those in need.

* It is imperative that long term relief has to be planned and as such, it would be vital that All Our churches must be encouraged to channel aid through the Task Force of Methodist Headquarters.

* Those desirous of visiting affected areas, should co-ordinate with the Task Force. It would be very useful if these groups can accompany relief aid vehicles, help distribute items, etc. so that aid is evenly distributed and not duplicated.

Rev Ebenezer Joseph was elected as President of Conference for the year 2005/2006. He will assume duties in August 2005. At present Rev Ebenezer Joseph is the Secretary of Conference.

The Vision of the Department of Evangelism is to take the Gospel to many unreached areas, commence Gospel Ministries, help people to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. To make disciples and establish Churches in these areas.

The Retired Workers’ Housing complex was declared open by the President of Conference, Rev Noel Fernando on 5 April 2004

The Methodist Workers’ Health Scheme organised a Health and Eye Camp in June, organised together to the Board of Social Responsibility of the Kollupitiya Methodist church and sponsored the Lions Club of Colombo Host. Six doctors were in attendance and 100 persons, ranging from infants to senior citizens attended The Lions Club provided spectacles and medicine.

The Methodist Women’s Fellowship : The Island Council has continued in its role of coordinating the work of the MWF groups island wide. In times of crisis and disaster, appeals have been made to MWFs to render assistance whenever a need arose.

Centre for Deaf People : The main aim of the Deaf Link is to be of service to the deaf and differently- abled community by providing facilities to improve the quality of life, there by enabling them to play a positive roll in the life of the community. We have commenced a computer center for the deaf community in Colombo. Computer studes and sign language development is conducted by an instructor.

Three ministers were Ordained at the Puliyantivu Methodist Church, in Batticaloa on 11 November 2004

Inter Faith collaboration on the Peace process in Sri Lanka, was held jointly organised by the United Evangelical Mission Asia Region and hosted by the Methodist Church. This was held at the YMCA Auditorium in Jaffna, for nearly 45 participated including 3 from Indonesia and 1 from the Philippines. 4 Buddhist priests, Hindus and Muslims participated in this programme which was held from 12 – 15 November.

.United Evangelical Mission held a Training Programme on HIV Aids. This was held in Kunming, China. 2 representatives form the Methodist Church of Sri Lanka participated in this programme which was held from 1- 5 November.