NORWICH – The United Methodist Church, along with State Senator James L. Seward, are encouraging local citizens to support relief efforts for the people of Haiti. For years, Haiti has been devastated by hurricanes, flooding, political violence and major earthquakes. The massive earthquake on Jan. 12 has caused incalculable loss of human life and destruction to the homes and livelihoods of millions of people.

The United Methodist Church, as a worldwide body, has global connections which allow the church’s relief efforts to be on the ground in places where need is great almost immediately, said Pastor Jeff Hale.

“Because the administrative costs of the United Methodist Committee on Relief and the Advance, operating under the General Board of Global Mission, are funded by the generosity of local United Methodist churches, 100 percent of donations given go directly to the designated relief effort,” said Hale.