Malaria is a preventable disease that kills over a half million people a year in Africa. According to recent statistics 430,000 of the reported 584,000 malaria deaths were children under the age of five. The West Ohio Conference, under the leadership of Bishop Gregory Palmer has led the denomination, in the effort to eradicate malaria, by pledging 3.5 million dollars. Last year HPCUMC embraced Bishop Palmer’s challenge and pledged $50,000 to the Imagine No Malaria Campaign.
The United Methodist Church has partnered with secular and sacred institutions committing $75 million. The Global Community effort involves a four-prong attack on malaria: Prevention- through the use of bed nets, providing access to diagnostic tests and medicine, draining standing water and improving sanitation; Treatment- ensuring clinics and hospitals have the diagnostic tests and treatment needed to save lives; Education- health care workers are trained to go door to door in remote communities to deliver and install bed nets and teach people how to use and care for the nets properly; Communication- using technology to reach millions with life-saving information about malaria.
In an effort to raise our $50,000 pledged, HPCUMC set up a Three Phase Imagine No Malaria campaign. Phase One: “Bring Change,” every man, woman and child was encouraged and challenged to bring their loose change to “change the world.” Phase Two: Alternative Christmas Giving. Individuals/Families were encouraged to make a donation to Imagine No Malaria as a Christmas gift to loved ones and aquiantances. Phase Three: The kick-off was led by a Youth sponsored 5K run April 16, proceeds to support Imagine No Malaria, and continues through May 8 offering the congregation the opportunity to make a one time gift (envelopes are in your bulletin for your use.)
Update: As we begin Phase Three, HPCUMC has raised $48,665 of the $50,000 goal! The question is not can we reach our goal, but how much will we surpass our goal? Can we raise $60,000? $70,000? Dr. Bev Connelly reminded us last fall, “No child should die from a preventable disease.”
Today we welcome Bishop Gregory Palmer to HPCUMC, the resident Bishop of West Ohio Conference, and world leader in the Imagine No Malaria campaign. Thank you Bishop Palmer for your leadership, challenge, and encouragement as together we walk with our brothers and sisters in Africa to healing and wholeness!
In Christ,
Pastor Doug