An update about our brothers and sisters in South Carolina:
The South Carolina United Methodist Church is actively involved in recovery efforts after the historic flooding around the state. For more information on what United Methodist’s are doing go to www.umcsc.org
How you can help
- Pray. Pray for families who are impacted by this disaster through loss of property and livelihood. Pray for first responders and all those who put themselves in harm’s way to care for the vulnerable in our midst. Pray that communities will come together and forge stronger relationships and connections in the recovery process. Pray for God’s sustaining grace through it all.
- Give generously of your compassion and your financial resources, but please refrain from making unsolicited donations of things like clothing and food. Respond to identified needs.
Donations may be made to AWFUMC Disaster Fund, UMCOR Domestic Disaster Advance #901670, or to the South Carolina Conference fund to help those in need recover from the flooding. Unlike the UMCOR funds, these funds are available to help local churches.
http://www.umcsc.org/data/disasterresponseflood2015.php.
In the past, our Conference has found gift cards to Lowe’s, Home Depot, and Walmart in $25 and $50 increments to be a blessing for pastors to have on hand to give to those in need. Those gift cards may be mailed to the SC Conf or to Amelia Fletcher, AWF Conf Disaster Response Coordinator.
- Consider being trained and volunteering for recovery efforts through UMCOR ERTs (Early Response Teams) and United Methodist Volunteers in Mission. Much effort will be required in the coming days and weeks and even years to bring new life into devastated areas. For training or renewal of badges, please contact AWFUMC Disaster Response & Recovery Ministry or visit http://www.awfumc.org/erttraining
- Put together United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) kits. Health Kits and School Kits specifications can be found at www.awfumc.org/reliefkits. Please hold onto kits until we have a specific call for them, or send kits to Sager Brown (LA) or Decatur (AL) Warehouse. South Carolina is NOT calling for cleaning buckets to be sent by churches or groups. Contact information for warehouses:
UMCOR Sager Brown
Elizabeth Graham, Director
131 Sager Brown Road, Box 850
Baldwin, LA 70514
337-923-6238
or:
North Alabama Disaster Warehouse
Ray Crump, Director
3220 Highway 31 S., Building F
Decatur, AL 35603
256-341-9961
A call for teams from our area has not been made at this time. We respect the South Carolina Conference and will send volunteers when requested. If your church or district would like to begin planning an effort, please notify AWFUMC Disaster Response Ministry of your intentions. We would like to support your trip. My contact information is below.
Thank you for your generous response thus far. It is a blessing to be a part of such caring and responsive congregations.
Please monitor our website for current information. You are also welcome to call or email me with your questions.
Blessings & Peace,
Amelia Fletcher, Disaster Response & Recovery Coordinator
Alabama-West Florida Conference United Methodist Church
PO 374
Gulf Shores, AL 36547
amelia@gulfshoresumc.org
251-978-8384
