September 21, 2005

Hurricane Relief Update

Edited by Daniel R. Gangler, director of communication
Indiana Area of The United Methodist Church
dgangler@inareaumc.org

FLOOD BUCKETS, SCHOOL KITS NOW NEEDED FOR RELIEF IN GULFPORT

According to Evansville Pastor Randy Anderson of the South Indiana Conference, UMCOR is moving from recovery to relief in Gulfport, Miss., and in need of flood buckets and school kits. Up to this time, the emphasis has been on health kits, bottled water and blankets. The contents for both of these kit items can be found in several print formats online at www.umcor.org. However, school kits need to be packed in backpacks rather than in cloth bags. According to volunteers working in Mississippi, NO CLOTHES are needed.

UMCOR SAGER BROWN ISSUES TOP SUPPLY NEEDS

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) Sager Brown Depot issued a call last week for items needed to help with Katrina relief. UMCOR Sager Brown houses and distributes relief supplies for UMCOR's domestic and international work. The priority needs are as follows:

1. Health kits
2. Flood buckets
3. School kits
4. New blankets
5. New air mattresses

Visit http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/print/kits/shipping.stm  for shipping instructions. Or you can contribute directly to the purchase of the most-needed supplies by giving to UMCOR Advance #901440, Material Resources and mailing it to UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087. Be sure to write the advance number and name in the memo line of your check.

International Shipments Continue

In addition to providing relief supplies to the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina, UMCOR Sager Brown is continuing with responsibilities for worldwide shipments to UMCOR's field offices around the world. Shipments to be made in the immediate future are to Sudan, Afghanistan, Haiti, and the Republic of Georgia.

Volunteering at UMCOR Sager Brown

Volunteers are needed at UMCOR Sager Brown to work in the phone bank that was set up to for Hurricane Katrina assistance, to unload and load trucks, as well as drive supply trucks. Many volunteers have already signed up to help UMCOR Sager Brown such that lodging and meal accommodations are booked for the rest of September. If you are interested in assisting during October, November, or December please contact the volunteer coordinator at UMCOR Sager Brown at volunteers@sagerbrown.org or call 1-800-334-4221.

Truck shipments to UMCOR Sager Brown

Please notify UMCOR Sager Brown at 337-578-3562 when a shipment is going to arrive at the Depot. UMCOR Sager Brown must have the name and cell phone number of the driver. Truck are being loaded and unloaded at all hours, call ahead as UMCOR Sager Brown needs to make the appropriate arrangements. The roads to UMCOR Sager Brown are open. Please call for specific directions or instructions. For updates about Sager Brown, log on to: http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/05/sagerbrowntopneeds.cfm

SOUTH CONFERENCE CONTINUES TO SIGN-UP
V-I-Ms

The South Indiana Conference continues to sign-up volunteers in mission for relief work. The fifth work team from South Conference is scheduled to depart for Gulfport today. Those interested in volunteering their service to recovery efforts, may apply for VIM work by completing forms available on the South Indiana Conference Web site at www.sicumc.org. For more information, call Elsie in the South Indiana Conference Center office at 800-919-8160.

UMCOR HAS RECEIVED TO DATE $3.6 MILLION FOR HURRICANE KATRINA RELIEF

As of noon on Sept. 19, the UM Committee on Relief has received $3.6 million in cash contributions for Hurricane Katrina relief and rehabilitation. This figure includes donations made by Internet, telephone, and mail, according to Roland Fernandes, treasurer of the General Board of Global Ministries. Fernandes noted that online contributions have slowed considerably but that checks are still arriving in great quantity. The figure does not include any money directed through annual conferences and the General Council on Finance and Administration. Meanwhile, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America reports that as of Sept. 15, it has collected $6.1 million for relief efforts.

TIPS FOR CONGREGATIONS HOSTING HURRICANE EVACUEES

Several United Methodist congregations across the state are in the process of volunteering homes and apartments to host evacuees. If you are one of them, UMCOR has published online a list of "Tips for Congregations Hosting Hurricane Evacuees" at http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/05/opendoors.cfm or log on to www.umcor.org and click on "Tips for congregations hosting hurricane evacuees." If your congregation wishes to host an evacuee family, contact Indiana Homeland Security Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 4 at 317-233-4487. Homeland Security is working with Red Cross, Salvation Army and Hope International to place evacuees.

INDIANA FIRM GIVES WAREHOUSE OF BOOTS TO RELIEF EFFORTS

Rick Acra recently bought a warehouse and its contents for his automotive firm. He was surprised to discover that the warehouse housed more than 70,000 pairs of boots. So, what do you do with 70,000 boots? Perfect fit. Some were given to the Indiana State Police. The vast remainder of left-over boots was packed on four semi-truck loads and shipped to the South. One of many interesting stories being told after Katrina. If you have a story to share, send it to e-HUM at editor@inareaumc.org.

BLOOMINGTON PREPARES TO RECEIVE MORE EVACUEES

The Bloomington District office was informed yesterday that Bloomington, Ind. has been put back on alert to receive more evacuees. Bloomington currently has 160 evacuees from the Gulf Coast. The Bloomington District office has issued a plea for donations of furniture and appliances. Those wishing to donate need to call the hurricane relief hotline phone number 812-349-3463. The items will be picked up by St. Vincent De Paul, which will store the items until they are needed. The City of Bloomington is issuing vouchers to evacuees to go to the St. Vincent De Paul store and purchase needed items. Questions? Contact Jessica Lindsey, administrative assistant, Bloomington District of The United Methodist Church at 812-339-1445.

UNITED METHODISTS SAY THEY WANT TO REBUILD GULFSIDE

WAVELAND, Miss. (UMNS) - Marian Martin searched through the remains of her home on the Gulfside United Methodist Assembly grounds and found her china set in the rubble. The United Methodist Church's historic Gulfside Assembly retreat center was washed away when Hurricane Katrina made landfall on the Gulf Coast Aug. 29. Martin, director of the assembly, was forced to evacuate. Upon returning, she found a nearly empty plot of land. Her possessions were scattered around town by the hurricane. Every building at the assembly was gone; even the new lodging and meeting facility named after Bishop Alfred Norris was destroyed. The conference had dedicated Norris Hall just two weeks before the catastrophic storm. While the cottages that made up Gulfside's Ernest T. Dixon Leisure Village for Older Adults no longer exist, the sign was unharmed. "I can't believe Katrina cleaned the sign. It was a little dirty before," said Edward Moultrie who helped build the sign in the early 1990s. Moultrie, retired employee of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, and his wife, Paula Milo-Moultrie, had moved to Waveland in the summer. Their home was damaged but not destroyed. Both mourned the loss of Gulfside, where they frequently visited and lived for a summer. Milo-Moultrie said she hoped the denomination will raise enough money to rebuild Gulfside Assembly. It is needed for families in the future, she said. For complete story with photos, log on to http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=9882 

UPCOMING CHILDREN'S SABBATH HIGHLIGHTED BY CHILDREN'S DEFENSE FUND

As the news shows images of displaced children among those whose lives were disrupted by Hurricane Katrina, the Children's Defense Fund is highlighting this as a connection for the annual observance of Children's Sabbath. While the day can be held at any time, the fund recommends the third weekend in October, while the 2000 General Conference suggested the second weekend. The fund provides materials for the observance at www.childrensdefense.org.

MISSISSIPPI CONFERENCE SAYS IT NEEDS TOOLS, MATERIALS TO REBUILD

While acknowledging the efforts of those immediately after the storm, Jeff Pruett of Tunica, the Mississippi Conference coordinator for the UM Committee on Relief, pointed out that recovery will take years and volunteers will be needed for months. "We're looking at tools and materials that will be needed for building such as ladders, hand tools, pressure washers, etc.," he said. Other needs are for flood buckets, which contain items needed to begin cleaning a house that has been flooded, and health kits. Churches, groups and individuals are asked to contact the conference office before making deliveries or sending work teams. For more information, contact the Mississippi Conference Storm Center toll-free at 866 647-7486.

NORTHWEST INDIANA MUSLIMS AID UMCOR FOR HURRICANE RELIEF

After Hurricane Katrina struck, the Northwest Indiana Islamic Center received an offering to aid its victims. Then came the task to determine what to do with the $10,000 they collected. Imam Mongy El-Quesny, the spiritual leader of the mosque, realized that the Islamic charities he was accustomed to utilizing did not have centers in the deep South, and that the Muslim community existing in New Orleans was among the evacuees. That is when the Imam came to the United Methodists for help. The Northwest Islamic Center has had a relationship with First United Methodist Church of Hammond for a number of years in their joint effort, "Children of Abraham," which ships medical supplies to third world countries. It was this relationship that made the Imam aware of UMCOR. In a conversation with Calumet District Superintendent David Schrader, Imam Mongy El-Quesny said, "We know about United Methodist relief projects around the world, and how American United Methodists have helped so many people. We trust you, and for this reason we ask that the United Methodist Committee on Relief use our funds to help the victims of this hurricane." Read more about this story in the October issue of Hoosier United Methodists Together and how Muslims and United Methodists are teaming to work together in recovery efforts.

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