Mission Ministries
Update on the Caribbean
September 15, 2017
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, St Martin/St Maarten, the British Virgin Islands, and Turks and Caicos are the islands most affected by hurricane Irma. Critical needs for supplies and support are being addressed around the clock. In the Dominican Republic and Haiti, local authorities are managing response and restoration to normal activities in the affected areas with local resources, as the effects are ...
Current US and Worldwide Disaster Response
September 12, 2017
The New York Conference Disaster Response Office has been in contact with UMCOR as we continue to monitor the effects of disasters around the country and the world to make plans for an appropriate response. At this point we are in a position of "waiting" - but that does not mean one of inactivity. UMCOR is working with local Disaster Response Coordinators to identify and prepare Early Response Teams for future deployment, identifying volunteer housing, and preparing a database of supplies and ...
NY Conf Flood Bucket/Cleaning Kits Drop-Off Locations
September 12, 2017
The following churches are accepting flood buckets/cleaning kits: Bayport, NY UMC M-Tu-Th-Fri 10am-2pm; Special arrangements, please call 631-472-0770 or e-mail: senior.pastor@bayport.org Bronx, Calvary UMC Tu-Th-Fri, 9am-1pm Brooklyn, NY, Sheepshead Bay UMC, Call to make arrangements with Pastor Cundy 347-553-3300 Croton-on-Hudson, NY, Asbury UMC Call Pastor Melissa at 646-241-7746 Hicksville, NY UMC 9:30 to 11 AM 10/14, 11/11, 12/9 or by arrangement: Ellen Giuffrida ...
Update on the Caribbean - Hurricane Irma
September 11, 2017
The Methodist bishop of Puerto Rico requests prayers for his island and its people. Read the letter from Bishop Héctor F. Ortiz Vidal here. Friends of UMCOR—here is an update on the Caribbean from Dr. Olusimbo Kehinde Ige, Interim Executive Director of UMCOR. Hurricane Irma has become one of the most powerful hurricanes ever recorded in the Atlantic, a category 5 hurricane with sustained winds of 295 km/hour. To date, it has passed over Barbuda, Saint Barthelemy, Anguilla, Saint Marten, ...
Church Partnership with Hardware = Cleaning Buckets
September 07, 2017
By Neal Bowes Written for the Youth Worker Collective Giving teens a way to get their hands dirty in response to disasters like Hurricane Harvey is absolutely essential. Far too often churches relegate the hands-on helping to the adults and miss the power of harnessing the passion of students. What do you do? How do we help channel our students in our churches to make a difference in the lives of those recovering from this tragedy? One word: UMCOR. The United Methodist Committee on Relief ...
Bishop Bickerton Responds on Hurricane Relief
September 06, 2017
Dear Friends & Colleagues, It seems that writing pastoral letters to you has become a constant in these days of turmoil and uncertainty. Global instability, political upheaval, and domestic acts of hatred have dominated our lives in recent weeks. Now, yet another threat has consumed our thoughts and prayers. I, like you, am heartbroken at the images coming out of Texas and Louisiana in response to Hurricane Harvey. And, even as I write this letter, Hurricane Irma is raging through the ...
Hurricane Harvey - Update
September 05, 2017
Even as Hurricane Harvey was forming, United Methodists, through UMCOR and our connectional system, were preparing for a response: queueing up clean up buckets and health kits, alerting Early Response Team volunteers, and making emergency grants available. In response, in some areas local churches are serving as emergency shelters, ERTs are on the ground, and UMCOR is working with other relief/recovery agencies. For the latest UMCOR response update please click here. Following UMCOR protocols: ...
Hurricane Harvey Update
August 30, 2017
An UMCOR - coordinated conference call between Disaster Response Coordinators from Texas and Louisiana and Coordinators from other Conferences was held on Tuesday evening. Each had an opportunity to report on their current situation, the status of their relief/recovery efforts, and provide other information. In summary: All reported that this event was unlike any other experienced before - more than 50 inches of rain. Rain is still falling in some areas and others are still recovering from ...
Hurricane Harvey
August 29, 2017
The New York Conference Disaster Response Office has been in contact with UMCOR as we continue to monitor the effects of Hurricane Harvey and make plans for an appropriate response. At this point we are in a position of "waiting" - but that does not mean one of inactivity. UMCOR is working with local Disaster Response Coordinators to identify and prepare Early Response Teams for future deployment, identifying volunteer housing, and preparing a database of supplies and equipment which can be ...
NYAC Disaster Response Opportunities
Disaster Recovery Ministries Team
February 07, 2017
VIM Long-term Recovery Team - West Virginia - February 18 to 25 Ross Porter is leading an LTR Team to assist with the recovery efforts from recent flooding. The team will be going to Rainelle, West Virginia, and staying at the UMC of Rainelle. They are now in the re-building stage of the disaster. All skill levels are welcome. ERT or Disaster Recovery training is not mandatory. Minimum age for trip is 16 years old. Cost of trip approx. $200. Cost includes travel to WV, all meals and sleeping ...