Cumbria Argentina Methodist Partnership Urgent Appeal

The Methodist Churches in Argentina are working in a number of locations in different provinces to feed about 800 families in great need during these difficult times.  They have been doing this during the course of the pandemic but now the money is running out.

Bishop Americo acknowledges the UK also has poverty and need but hopes some help towards continuing the programme will be possible.

The members of the District Argentina-Cumbria Partnership group agreed we should respond with an initial sum of £1000 from the Partnership fund and an appeal to people in the Methodist churches of the District to make donations.  In doing this we are mindful of the fact that some people will have been adversely affected financially by Covid19 , but hope there will be those who are in a position to help.

Donations can be made

• by cheque – payable to Cumbria Methodist District Argentina Link & sent to the Treasurer, Ray Wager, Langwood Barn, Langwathby, Penrith CA10 1LW
• by Bank Transfer:
        Sort code:  30-16-28 (Lloyds Bank, Penrith)
        Account no:  15973468
        Account name:  Cumbria Methodist District Argentina Link 
  
• It would be helpful if donors could email details of their donation to Ray.  GiftAid can be added if you supply your initials, surname, postcode and first line of address

Letter from Bishop Americo

Grace, peace and the blessings of our Lord be with you and the whole church.

We hope that you yourselves are well in this time of great complexity, which is for many people a huge economic, social and health crisis.

Here in Argentina we continue abiding by days of quarantine, and in some provinces people are allowed wider possibilities with social distancing and all preventative measures.  Here in Rosario, for example, we can go out for a walk or to participate in individual sport.  And at the weekends there is the possibility of having emotional family meetings.  Similarly we can use parks and public squares while keeping at the allowed distance.  Depending on the particular situation in each province there are more possibilities to be less shut away, while Buenos Aires is the most critical at present and is the place where most work is being done to check the infection.

As the church we have been working hard through the social action programme, being alongside more than 800 families throughout the country distributing groceries and hygiene items.  The situation which has developed as a result of the pandemic has impacted very strongly on families within our churches and on families in the neighbourhoods where the churches are situated.  So we are devoting time, young volunteers and financial resources to address the distressing realities of vulnerable families.  According to our forecasts, we are exhausting the resources to meet the demand which is placed on us by families in general.  This situation, which impacts strongly on childhood and old age, worries us enormously.

It is in the face of this economic and social crisis, which impacts on the Global Village with great virulence and in many places faces us with the lack of food for hundreds of families, that we wanted to ask you about the possibility of the Cumbria District coming to our aid in our aim of prolonging the provision of boxes or bags of food.  We are making our last deliveries throughout the country and we no longer have the resources to meet such need.  Perhaps you in the Cumbria District could assess the possibility of joining us in this humanitarian effort by sending prompt aid for this purpose. If this were possible it would be very Good News for the families whom we have been alongside for months.

We know very well that the situation there in your country is also difficult and that it impacts strongly on all of your people.  Because of this we pray that the Lord will sustain us with his grace and make us strong in our weakness.

Receive our close affection and prayer for you. Warm and serene greetings. 

Américo