News

9/2/2016

Much of the Florida panhandle and the gulf coast has been preparing since Thursday for Hurricane Hermine to make landfall. Most of the northern part of Florida, all of south Georgia and parts of middle Georgia are under a tropical storm warning for sustained winds of 35 mph. A flash flood watch has also been issued for parts of middle and eastern Georgia, on the inland side of the hurricane path.  Gov. Nathan Deal has declared a state of emergency for 56 counties in southern and middle Georgia ...

8/25/2016

(Updated Aug. 30) Please join us in praying for those affected by the flooding in Louisiana. UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) is working with the Louisiana Conference to respond. The Louisiana Conference has extended an invitation for ERT teams to work in the areas effected by recent floods. For details and to register as an individual or team visit:https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/UMCVolunteerRegistration There is great need for UMCOR Cleaning Kits ("Flood Buckets"). Find ...

6/26/2016

Last week, parts of West Virginia saw some of worst flooding the state has seen in three decades. The floods claimed 23 lives and damaged or destroyed thousands of homes. Please join us in praying for the people of West Virginia. UMCOR is working with local officials to respond. Those who wish to support UMCOR’s response to, and preparedness for, disasters in the US, are always encouraged to give to the US Disaster Response Advance #901670 (directly to UMCOR) or Fund #4390 when giving through ...

12/31/2015

Team leader Rev. Michael Dunar helping with Flood recovery at Canaan UMC. Photo courtesy of the South Carolina Conference. By Matt Brodie South Carolina Conference It’s been more than three months since the congregation at Canaan United Methodist Church, Ridgeville, felt the devastating effects of the historic flooding in South Carolina. But even though the floodwaters have long since receded, the aftermath is still strongly felt. The congregation has been unable to worship at Canaan since the ...

10/14/2015

Note to ERTs: Individuals and Teams October 14, 2015 If you are an ERT in the North Georgia Conference and have called the SC hotline and verified where you are going, pleae let the North Georgia Conference know by emailing ngumcdisasterteams@gmail.com. Cindy and JR Campbell are coordinating among North Georgia teams.  If you are a trained ERT and would like to join a team please email the above address. There may be opportunities for one or two individuals to join another North Georgia Team. ...

5/28/2015

Volunteers assemble at First United Methodist Church of San Marcos. Photo by Rev. Todd Salmi The Rio Texas Conference has extended an invitation for trained ERT teams to deploy to areas affected by the flooding in Texas.  They are currently deploying teams in Wimberley and San Marcos but may have additional areas within the week.    Teams should register at http://riotexas.org/flood-updates. They will then be contacted by the Rio Texas Conference ERT team coordinator. They have churches that ...

7/11/2014

By Jonathan Brown    I am just returning from a meaningful mission trip with Zoar UMC's youth group to the UMCOR Depot in Decatur, Ala. Zoar UMC has long been a mission focused church. When I joined with them in ministry as youth director, the youth and church leaders had a strong desire to develop a mission-centered youth group. The expectation was to have a youth mission trip for the summer of 2015. One of our church leaders, Terry Raymond, presented us with an opportunity to get our young ...

5/6/2014

Please read and share the update below from Alabama-West Florida Conference Bishop Paul Leeland regarding last week's storms: Dear friends and colleagues in ministry, The immediate storm within the bounds of our conference produced more rain water than Hurricane Ivan. Hundreds of homes and churches were damaged by the storm. As your Bishop, allow me to invite your prayers and generosity to offer a healing presence within our communities as we share a compassionate presence to bring relief and ...

11/12/2013

United Methodists are among those starting to provide emergency supplies while assessing damages from the powerful Nov. 8 storm, known as Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines. As Bridges mission partners with United Methodists of the Philippines, North Georgia is already reaching out to our connections in the country as well. Northwest District Superintendent Herzen Andone has been in touch with Bishop Juan of the Philippines to express both our sorrow at the loss of life and our willingness to ...

11/11/2013

We have followed the devastation and the impact on the largest storm in recorded history, Super Typhoon Haiyan, as it hit the Philippines and continued its path toward Vietnam. The rescue and recovery efforts are already underway.  The United Methodist Committee On Relief's initial response will involve distribution of food and water purification tablets.    UMCOR has a field office in the Philippines and has been partnering with the local people for some time to prepare this area in the event ...

10/10/2013

Teams Needed in Alabama-West Florida Conference Disaster recovery efforts continue in the Mobile and Marianna/Panama City districts following severe flooding. Hundreds of homes have been damaged in several counties following extensive rain in these areas. Volunteer teams are being accepted October 1 for each area. Teams do not have to be ERT certified, but it would be most helpful for the leaders to have UMVIM Team Leader training or other volunteer site training. Notes: Team members must be ...

9/13/2013

By Heather Hahn United Methodist News Service United Methodists in Colorado are asking for prayers and monetary donations in the wake of ongoing floods that have ripped up roads, cut off communities and taken the lives of at least four people. “My prayers are with all who are responding to flooding along the Front Range today,” Mountain Sky Area Bishop Elaine J.W. Stanovsky posted on Facebook. “And more to come. God is in the midst of the trouble. A very present help in time of need.” With ...

8/28/2013

Gilmer County was struck by flooding earlier this month, washing out roads, causing mudslides and of course, damaging homes. North Georgia Conference Disaster Response has already begun to help. "We have distributed 60 flood buckets so far," said Rev. Thom Shores, pastor of Bright Star UMC and a member of the Conference Disaster Response Team. Teams from Jasper UMC and Cartecay UMC have helped to muck out homes. More teams will likely be needed as damage is fully assessed. To volunteer, ...

7/9/2013

In a new video, Greg Forrester, UMCOR's (United Methodist Committee on Relief) US Disaster Response executive, urges United Methodist congregations to come together and assemble the much-needed relief supplies. Bedding packs, cleaning buckets, health kits, layette kits and sewing kits are among the supplies most needed.    These relief supply items are a tangible and practical way to help survivors of natural and human-caused disasters. They can be shipped to any of the depots in the UMCOR ...

6/24/2013

By Ansley Brackin People who live by the motto “out with the old and in with the new,” are usually referring to simple changes within their control: clothes, hairstyles, or furniture. Oconee Street United Methodist Church in Athens felt the weight of these words when a fire unexpectedly deemed their historic church home of 110 years as unusable. But the jolt of this situation was almost immediately buffered. Allison Floyd, Young Harris Memorial UMC’s Children and Youth Programs Coordinator, ...

6/10/2013

The human spirit shines in times of disaster. In the aftermath of the May 20 tornado that destroyed parts of Moore, Oklahoma and surrounding towns, individual volunteers and community groups across the country are looking for ways to lend a hand.  One Great Hour of Sharing, a program of The United Methodist Church, has put together the following list of suggestions: 5 Ways Everyone Can Provide Help And Hope To The Oklahoma Tornado Survivors 1.     Prayer Go to www.umc.org/disaster-pray for a ...

3/28/2013

ERT teams are needed in the Peninsula-Delaware Conference and North Georgia   SANDY HURRICANE RECOVERY & ASSESSMENT For those teams wanting to go to help with the Sandy Hurricane Disaster there is a new contact email, umcorteamcrisfield@comcast.net.  The need for ERT teams is increasing as warm weather comes. Zion UMC in Salisbury, Maryland is able to provide housing and to feed teams. Please email to reserve space for your team.   Contact information: Rev. D.Richard Walton, Sr Pastor, Zion UMC ...

3/27/2013

By SYBIL DAVIDSON  In April 2011, severe storms caused damage from one side of Georgia to the other. The rural community of Vaughn in the Griffin District was hit hard.      Thirteen houses in one neighborhood and Vaughn UMC, the 107-year-old church that sat atop a hill, were destroyed.     UM churches across the North Georgia Conference sprang into action. The following Sunday they collected special offerings and mission teams signed up to work.      Two years later, as the world-wide ...

3/19/2013

The Conference Disaster Response Team is aware of damage in many communities following last night's severe storms. If your church or parsonage is damaged, please contact your chair of Trustees, your insurance company and your District Superintendent. Trained Early Reponse Teams, chainsaw teams and mission teams are ready to respond as needs are formally assessed. Georgia Emergency Management reports one fatality, several injuries and damage ranging from downed trees to hail damage to major ...

2/27/2013

From Rev. Thom Shores Conference Disaster Response Chair We want to thank all of the ERT and Chainsaw teams that have responded to the initial cleanup in both Bartow and Gordon Counties. A tremendous amount of work has been accomplished in a relatively short amount of time.   Bartow County has now transitioned into the rebuild stage and is inviting volunteer groups to come help with this effort. Groups or individuals should call the Church of God in Adairsville that is still acting as the ...