November 25, 2005

Hurricane Recovery Update -- Be the hope

Edited by Dan Gangler, director of communication
Indiana Area of The United Methodist Church
This connectional service is provided by your church's apportionments.
dgangler@inareaumc.org 

REPORTS FROM ACROSS THE NORTH CENTRAL JURISDICTION

By Lorna Jost , Administrator, UMVIM-NCJ, 928 4th Street, Office #2, Brookings, SD 57006, e-mail umvim-ncj@brookings.net, Phone :605-692-3390; Fax:605-692-3391

TWO NURSES REPORT IN NEW ORLEANS

Greetings from New Orleans! My name is Cathy Shively and a volunteer with the Public Health Service. I'm a member of the Reading, Mich. UMC. I am serving as a nurse providing healthcare to the people of New Orleans. I have been providing care in a vacant parking lot- open area care. My team is providing primary care from good old fashion TLC and reassurance to emergency care that needs to seen in an ER. My deployment is from 11/15-11/29/2005. I have lots of pictures and can share with others my experiences. cambriacathy@yahoo.com

FYI, I am currently in Louisiana. I was deployed by PHS/HHS, arrived 11/15, will be leaving 11/28. We stay in Baton Rouge and travel to New Orleans daily, staffing mobile clinics offering primary care to those who have lost their doctors. Kathryn Leenhouts MD, klrocket2000@yahoo.com, North Olmsted, Ohio 44070

ILLINOIS CHURCH TRAVELING TO BAYOU LA BATRE TO DELIVER SHOE BOXES

Grace UMC of Jacksonville, IL is putting together a trip to Bayou La Batre, Ala. the week of Dec. 12. This will be a Christmas shoebox delivery for the elementary children affected by the hurricane and a delivery of goodies and sweatshirts that are now being requested by that area. Kristine Lyon, kris@jaxgrace.org

TEXAS CONFERENCE NEEDS WORK TEAMS!

Rita Hurricane -- Texas Conference - The Texas Conference has moved the Call Center to Wesley UMC in Beaumont.

New number is 409-892-0140 and the toll free is still 877-774-2700.

We have hired some staff for the disaster recovery and are putting a huge push to get caseworkers/family advocates into the field. UMCOR has been helping over the past month with Casework training both in the Houston and Beaumont areas.

We still need many teams to remove trees. The trees are slowing down all the recovery work because now, 8 weeks after the storm, many people still do not have electricity and those who do have no phone service. People are living on porches and in pup tents on their lawns because they have a tree right through the house. Schools are just now starting and are running at about 50-60%. 59 churches in one of our districts were damaged leaving only 3 to escape. Sabine Pass has only 7 homes with roofs to repair because all the other homes have been destroyed and will need to be rebuilt. Up to January 1 we will continue working on tree and debris removal. After that we will begin rebuilding and repairing churches and parsonages until the Family Advocates have homes identified for repair. We have churches and retreat centers to house teams. Food is available in most towns, but kitchens can be used in all the facilities by the team.

Call Katie Beran 409-225-3136 to schedule work teams.

MISSISSIPPI CONTINUES TO HAVE GREAT NEED OF VOLUNTEERS

Mississippi continues to have great need of volunteers. After cancellations and shifting of teams, we have space for teams after Thanksgiving and onward. If you have heard otherwise, I apologize for the confusion. Peace and Grace, Chris Bowers -- Miss. Conference Disaster Response, Call Center 866-435-7091, disastercenter@meridianumc.org

From: Becky Trask, Mississippi Conference Children's Advocate

rebecca_trask@yahoo.com 

Date: Nov. 22, 2005

Dear Pastors -- At the beginning of Advent, there are many things we prepare for: Church pageants, family dinners, gift exchanges. We look forward to time with family and a special season of celebrating Christ's birth and anticipating His return. For our brothers and sisters affected by Katrina, Christmas may bring not a sense of anticipation, but a renewed sense of despair for the lack of "normal" they have in their lives. This is where people of faith can rise up and provide these families with an opportunity regain some of that normalcy. I have been working with the superintendents of the schools on the coast as well as schools throughout the state that have been affected by the storm. I have been gathering "wish lists" of children who's family are unable to provide Christmas this year. Some churches have already connected with a town or school -- we applaud your initiative and bless your effort. For those churches still looking for a way to connect with a town/school, here is how you can help:

Ask the principal of your local school if they have any evacuated children enrolled.

Seek support from your church to adopt any children in need in your community.

Prayerfully consider collecting toys for children on the coast.

Specific Needs:

1. MOST URGENT: By Dec. 1, the Bay St. Louis/Waveland School District will be having a toy distribution for their K-5 program. They need us to collect toys and assist with the distribution of the toys from 1-4 pm on that day. If you are able to participate, please collect toys and plan to bring them to the coast on that day. Contact Becky Trask (601-519-6825) to let her know you will be collecting and bringing toys.
2. Jackson County Schools has submitted the wish lists for 12 children of the employees of the Food Service Department. (More wish lists from other departments may be coming). These children have each requested 4 gifts they would like for Christmas. These children need "adopted" and their gifts need to be wrapped and delivered to the coast by December 14. Please Contact Becky Trask (601-519-6825) if your church is interested in adopting these children. Specific delivery instructions to follow after Thanksgiving.
3. Jackson Public Schools in Jackson, Miss. has 764 children that have enrolled in there schools that have been affected by Katrina and Rita. The principals are collecting wish lists from the children in need, and will be sending those to the Conference Office after Thanksgiving. East and West Jackson District churches are asked to sponsor these children. Large numbers of evacuees are also in Tupelo, Wiggins and McComb. Churches in these districts should contact their schools after the Thanksgiving Break.
4. Pascagoula City Schools is collecting wish lists for the children in their school. They will be sending those after Thanksgiving to the Conference Office. These children will also need adopted.
5. FUMC in Lucedale has identified that there is a population of children living in FEMA trailers in George County. They are collecting toys to distribute to these children. Any support is welcome. Contact: Pastor Harrell Moore at 601-947-8132 to partner with their efforts.
6. In addition to these specific needs, we also are asking churches to gather age/gender appropriate packages to be distributed to children who did not submit a wish list. Please collect the following:
   1. Infants: In a stocking: stuffed animal/teething; ring/blanket/rattle/$10 Wal-Mart Gift Card
   2. Toddlers: In a stocking: stuffed animal/board book/blanket/nesting toys/blocks/sorting toys/bath toys/$10 Wal-Mart Gift Card
   3. Pre-School: In a stocking: stuffed animal/blanket/ books/ dress-up clothes/trains, trucks, cars or dinosaurs/$10 Wal-Mart Gift Card
   4. Elementary School: In a book bag: stuffed animal/age-appropriate books/puzzle or game/hair bows (for girls only!)/ art supplies/ doll or action figure or car/ play doh/ school supplies, sports equipment; $20 Wal-Mart Gift Card
   5. Teen: In a book bag: $20 Old Navy OR Wal-Mart gift card; sports equipment; art supplies; school supplies, nail polish (girls only!); trivia game; ball cap.

These items need to be sent to the Wiggins Warehouse at 227 N. Azalea Drive; Wiggins, MS 39577 by Dec. 14 for distribution on the coast. If you are bringing a large load, please call the Call Center to arrange delivery. 866-435-7091.

FOR ALL OF THESE PROJECTS: PLEASE CONTACT BECKY TRASK WITH YOUR CHURCH'S COMMITMENT TO THE PROJECT. Thank you for your commitment to ALL of God's children during this holiday season.

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