A Special Message regarding Disaster Response
Many are wondering what we can do when disasters happen? Our hearts break for those who have been so greatly impacted. One of the most important things to remember is: DO Not Self Deploy to the affected areas and please do not send collected goods to the areas.
What we can do is first pray. For some this does not seem like much, but no greater help can we offer than to place these folks and responders into the hands of a loving God who is all powerful.
IF you live in a community that has been affected by flooding, please reach out to your district superintendent.
If your community is not in urgent need, then please consider making a monetary donation to UMCOR OR your West Virginia Conference Disaster Response team through your local church.
100% of your donation through UMCOR will go to the disaster. With monetary gifts UMCOR can purchase supplies the people truly need, not what we might think they would need.
The best way to donate funds is to give to your local church and write Advance #901670 or UMCOR US Disaster Response in the memo. The local church will then remit the donations to the conference treasurer.
You may also follow the link to UMCOR to give directly to US Response 901670.
Local churches may assemble flood buckets, we may be asked to provide supplies to the next phases of response. For instructions to assemble a cleaning kit (flood bucket) follow this link.
For instructions on how to assemble a health kit, follow this link.
As always, if you want to support the work of your West Virginia Conference disaster response team - as an individual or church financial donation to flood efforts, that would also be greatly appreciated, because financial contributions go a long way to help with flood response and recovery.
You may support our Disaster Response efforts by donating using one of the methods below.
The West Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church in partnership with UMCOR and WV-VOAD.
Follow this link to learn about how UMCOR is responding to crisis' across the US and around the globe!
Contacts:
Conference Disaster Response Coordinator
Rev. Jim McCune DisasterResponse@wvumc.org (304) 813-1274
Volunteers in Mission Coordinator:
Rev. David Stilgenbauer: 304-210-6938
New Vision Depot Ambassadors are a new ministry that focuses on providing support to the mission of the New Vision Depot. To learn more plan on attending one of the upcoming work days: December 10, January 14 or February 16.
You may also reach out to us via email.
How to Donate to WV Conference Disaster Response
Your financial contributions go a long way to help with future disaster response and recovery efforts across the West Virginia Conference.
SUPPORT FINANCIALLY our Disaster Response and New Vision Depot efforts by donating using one of the following methods:
Give through your local church. The church would then send the money along with their church remittance form, earmarked for WV Disaster Response or New Vision Depot.
Checks made payable to: Conference Treasurer and mailed to
WV Conference Treasurer
PO Box 2469
Charleston, WV 25329.
Disaster response ministry demonstrates a core Christian value: caring for people affected by sudden emergencies.
Our Conference disaster response coordinators help assess needs in the days following a disaster, recruit work teams, and help organize and collect materials such as cleaning buckets, health kits, and other materials as needed.
Volunteers in Mission
is a grassroots movement within The United Methodist Church that provides a way for lay and clergy Christians to use their skills and talents in service at home and around the world on short term mission assignments.
Learn More
U. M. C. O. R.
The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to alleviating human suffering around the globe. We are grateful for our partnership with UMCOR, especially around the areas of Disaster Response.
Rev. Rick Duncan, pastor of Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church in Alderson, West Virginia, shares how their church is prepared for flood waters, a practice that prevented significant loss due to flooding in June 2016.
Only a few items are needed for the flood barrier: Plywood, helicoils, bolts, caulk, wrench. Plywood and bolts are stored until need arises.
"If we hadn't put these in our basement would have had 3 feet of water in it, instead we had just a skim of water." Rev. Rick Duncan. Pastor Duncan serves a church a block away from the Lower Greenbrier River.
As spring storms move into the region preventive measures such as this can make a difference! Watch the video for how Johnson Memorial UMC, Alderson, West Virginia built their own flood barriers.
Disaster Response Ministries: Responding with Love for as Long as it Takes.
Disaster response ministry demonstrates a core Christian value: caring for people affected by sudden emergencies.
Our Conference disaster response coordinators help assess needs in the days following a disaster, recruit work teams, and help organize and collect materials such as cleaning buckets, health kits, and other materials as needed.
Values
- WV Annual Conference Disaster Response Ministries provides practical, proactive support to the most vulnerable survivors of chronic or momentary emergencies stemming from natural or civil causes.
- The WV Annual Conference Disaster Response Ministries honors cultural differences. We deliver aid to people without regard to race, religion, politics, gender or sexual orientation. We seek input from local communities in identifying needs and developing innovative solutions.
- All people have God-given dignity and worth. The most essential partner in the West Virginia Annual Conference Disaster Response Ministries work is the beneficiary.
- WV Annual Conference Disaster Response Ministries works with partners—especially those who are indigenous to the affected locale. Civic organizations, faith communities, school leaders, and other local resources are great assets to sustainable recovery and development, particularly after massive traumatic events.
- WV Annual Conference Disaster Response Ministries is a good steward of its gifts and grants.
- WV Annual Conference Disaster Response Ministries does not tie the promise of its relief and development activity to any religious or political viewpoint.
- The WV Annual Conference Disaster Response Ministries professional staff incorporates best practices and standards to provide innovative, effective, and integrated ministry.
- The WV Annual Conference Disaster Response Ministries welcomes the good efforts of countless individuals and churches who support us through gifts, prayers, and service.
