Responding to Storm Damage in Eastern Missouri

On Friday afternoon, May 16, severe storms swept through eastern Missouri. Tornadoes were confirmed in St. Louis and the Sikeston area, causing significant damage and loss of life. Injuries and fatalities have been confirmed. 

Damage reports continue to come in about United Methodist church properties. Union Memorial on Belt Avenue in St. Louis sustained damage, including broken stained glass windows and downed trees on the property. New Horizons UMC located on Washington Blvd. had minimal damage to windows and some minor fence damage. Grace UMC on Skinker is currently serving as a Red Cross shelter. The Grace parsonage experienced minor house damage due to several significant trees.

• Please pray for those affected in St. Louis and across the state. Liturgical resources in the wake of storms can be found at Discipleship Ministries.
• Please do not self-deploy unless asked. Emergency services, including search-and-rescue operations, are still at work. We are actively in conversation with county and state disaster response efforts and will post updates on the Missouri Conference Disaster Response Facebook page. If you have questions, please contact Conference Disaster Response Coordinator Bambi Wheeler at [email protected].
• The best way for you and your church to help right now is by giving financially. Donate to the Missouri Conference Advance Special No. 7465, Disaster Response, through the special giving form or online at https://donorbox.org/disaster-response.