July 19, 2011

Dear Friends,

It is with mixed emotions that I inform you that I am leaving UMCOR. I hope you will rejoice with me when I tell you that I do so to respond to a new call. The South Central Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church today elected me to be one of its bishops.

I am excited about this new direction in which the Lord leads me, and I’m so happy to serve The United Methodist Church in yet another challenging capacity. Although I will miss my colleagues at UMCOR, I am certain my new ministry will be leavened with the experience of the good we accomplished over the past two and a half years.

You have been a rich part of that experience, and I thank you for accompanying me and UMCOR. Together, we responded to the needs of survivors of cataclysmic events: the 2010 earthquake in Haiti and, in 2011, the unparalleled triple disaster in Japan and the widely destructive spring storms season in the United States.

Your grace and self-sacrifice made a difference to the survivors of these and many other emergencies. I know in my heart that this was no accident but a deep expression of your faith and spirit of connection with all people and creation. I leave confident that you will continue to support and to be a part of UMCOR’s good work.

May you continue to know God’s blessing in your own lives and to share it with the vulnerable and those in need at home and around the world.

Yours in Christ,

Reverend Cynthia Fierro Harvey