It has been a busy spring for Missouri Disaster Response efforts! Read on to learn how Missouri United Methodists have both responded and readied themselves for the next time disaster strikes.

Early Response Team Training Update

In early April, four Missouri United Methodists completed the first half of UMCOR’s Train-the-Trainer class. This is a vital step in increasing the Early Response Team capacity of the Missouri Annual Conference!

The second half of this certification process involves teaching an in-person ERT Training. We’ve identified two dates – August 27 and September 17 – for in-person ERT Training in Columbia. Anyone seeking ERT Training is invited to attend. These classes will help our four train-the-trainer candidates get certified.

Interested in ERT Training?

Registration will open soon. Put your name on the wait list to be notified when registration is available.

Flood Bucket Delivery

In late May many in the Sedalia area were affected by wind and water damage caused by storms. State emergency management called and requested 50 flood buckets. Conference Disaster Response Coordinator Scott Burdin made a quick delivery.

Local Church Disaster Response Asset Mapping

One piece of the readiness puzzle is understanding where assets are located. When a disaster hits, information gathered ahead of time makes it easier to coordinate the help that affected individuals and local organizations need.

Conference Disaster Response Coordinator Scott Burdin is working to get a better idea of where United Methodist-related resources lie in Missouri. The Local Church Disaster Response Resources Form will help us identify churches who are willing to host teams, have showers, have professionally trained church members (doctors, nurses, counselors, etc.) who are willing to help, have equipment staging areas and more.

Work with your local church to fill out the form linked below. You can start the form, submit it and re-access it later to make updates. If your church does not have any of the assets listed, or is not interested in helping, please note that on the form. All information is helpful!

Fill Out the Form →

Celebrating Missouri’s Response

When natural disasters struck Tennessee and Kentucky, Missouri United Methodists didn’t hesitate to offer prayers and gifts to the affected communities. We celebrate the financial generosity of the following churches, who sent a total of $8,860 to our UM siblings to the east.

Amazonia
Arch (Hannibal)
Crossroads (Sedgewickville)
First (Sedalia)
Lamar
Memphis
St. Luke’s (St. Louis)
Zion (Gordonville)

Service Opportunities

Short-Term Recovery in North Texas

The North Texas Conference is asking for and accepting registration of ERT teams to do tarping, muck-out and tree trimming. They can be either a fully trained ERT team or have a 1:1 ratio (one trained team member for each untrained team member). The county is supplying all the tarps, 2x4s, plywood, etc. The county can house two teams at a time plus day-trippers who do not need lodging. Teams are encouraged to plan to arrive either Sunday night or Monday morning. Ideally, each team will work up to three days on site and depart on Friday morning.

Interested? Teams must please register with Rev. Jacob Fields. Email or call him to indicate interest in serving, to seek more information or to ask any questions at [email protected] and at (940) 320-9492. If you, or anyone from your church or team goes to help, please report your volunteer hours to Scott at [email protected].

Louisiana Long-term Recovery

The Louisiana Annual Conference is ready to receive long-term volunteer teams to help with recent years’ devastating hurricane seasons. Lodging and meals will be provided. You need to provide the team and tools. Materials will be at the job site. If your group is interested, fill out this form.

Recovery in Tennessee and Western Kentucky

The Tennessee/Western Kentucky Conference is getting ready for long term recovery teams to help with the rebuild. Some areas are a little farther along than others, and this is just the beginning to a long-term process. If you, your church or your ERT team are interested in helping, visit www.twkumc.org/disaster-response to sign up.

Conference Disaster Response Coordinator Scott Burdin suspects this will be a situation where you fill out the form and then wait for someone to contact you and let you know where they are ready and in need of help. Please be flexible. Go where you are needed.

If you, or anyone from your church or team goes to help, please report your volunteer hours to Scott at [email protected].

Recovery Teams Needed in Texas

The Northwest Texas Conference is seeking teams to work in Lamesa, Texas. Please contact Charlie Brown at [email protected] to find out more detail about dates, supplies needed and to schedule teams. Read more at www.ntcumc.org.