UM ads offer messages of hope to nation

United Methodist News Service
Millions of Americans saw messages of hope from The United Methodist Church during Cable News Network coverage of Hurricane Katrina relief work Labor Day Weekend.
The messages, which appeared in the corner of the TV screen for five or 10 seconds, said: “Support hurricane relief efforts at www.MethodistRelief.org. The People of the United Methodist Church.”
CNN made the spots available as part of the denomination’s national Igniting Ministry image and hospitality campaign during United Methodist Open House Month.
The General Commission on Communication was also placing an ad with the theme “Be the Hope” in USA Today Wednesday. Part of the ad was to say:
“At this time of great loss, let us commit to a hopeful, compassionate community, now and for the long-term future. Give through whatever means you choose. Volunteer. Be the hope.”    
“It’s important for us as a church to say to the people of the Gulf Coast that we are concerned and that we are praying with them and will be with them through the entire long recovery process,” said the Rev. Larry Hollon, chief executive at of the Nashville, Tenn.-based communication agency.
“We as a church can send a message to the whole of the United States, if not to the world, at times like these that community is important, that we need each other, that sharing with each other is a healing process. It restores the brokenness.”