The Great Hour of Sharing is a way in which we can be an additional help to those annual conferences here in the USA, and in the connectional system abroad, when disaster strikes.  This allows UMCOR staff to be one the ground as a resource all over the world in times of need. 

"We are inevitably our brother's keeper because we are our brother's brother. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

As we remembered the witness and prophetic actions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. yesterday, I'm also reminded of the great strides the church has made to be in ministry with those on the margins of society here in North Alabama. Everyday churches across the conference are reaching out to feed the poor, heal those who are hurt or broken, and show God's hope to many who struggle to see it.

UMCOR cleaning buckets are urgently needed to resupply the Conference Disaster Response Warehouse.  

Click here to see the components of the cleaning buckets.

If your church or organization wishes to collect and drop off these items, please contact Rev. Ray Crump, Executive Director of the Conference Disaster Response Warehouse at raylcr@aol.com or 256-341-9961

- Matt

Rev. Matt Lacey, Director of Mission and Advocacy, North Alabama Conference

What can you do to help Hurricane Sandy victims right now? Conferences on the East Coast have begun to request UMCOR Cleaning Buckets to help victims begin to clean their homes. If you or your church wants to make an impact, click here for the components and assembly instructions for the cleaning buckets. After assembly, these can be taken to the North Alabama Conference Center in Birmingham, or the Disaster Response Warehouse in Decatur, AL (3220 Hwy 31 South, Building F, Decatur, AL 35603, or click here for directions). Delivery to the Disaster Warehouse in Decatur, AL is preferred for faster deployment of items.

You can also give through UMCOR. Please help now. Please help in years to come. Click here to donate to UMCOR US Disaster Response, Advance #901670, and select Hurricanes 2012 from the drop-down menu. You can also text the word RESPONSE to 80888 to give an immediate $10 donation. If you have any questions, please let me know.

-Matt

Rev. Matt Lacey, Director of Mission and Advocacy, North Alabama Conference UMC
mlacey@northalabamaumc.org

The damage to areas of the Northeast has surpassed any prediction, but the United Methodist Church is working to be in action and compassion to those affected. You can click here for an UMCOR update, and to give to the relief fund, you can text text the word RESPONSE to 80888 to give an immediate $10 donation.

UMCOR's team is currently setting up a way to give online. You can also give by sending a check to the conference office, made out to the North Alabama Conference marked "Hurricane Sandy Relief."

- Matt

Rev. Matt Lacey, Director of Mission and Advocacy, North Alabama Conference

The Louisiana Conference is ready to welcome UMVIM teams to the clean-up from Hurricane Isaac.

Hurricane Isaac arrived on August 29, 2012 on the seventh anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. And though Isaac did not bring about the amount of damage caused by Katrina, a reported 178,000 residences around the New Orleans area were hit. Hardest hit are many areas that were not usually in the flood prone areas.

As you know, volunteer teams provide both spiritual and physical support to those who are in need of friends. Volunteers bring the gift of God’s love as they swing hammers, gut homes, hang sheet rock while taking time to talk and laugh and hug those whose lives have been turned upside down. Your help can change lives and show the light of Christ in word and action.

We are currently organizing a team of case managers, a project manager, and a volunteer coordinator to oversee the work of response and repair. Several Early Response Teams have been hard at work following the storm. They will complete their initial response by September 30. The ongoing response phase will begin on October 1, 2012. We are now inviting our UMVIM friends to register to come to the Gulf Coast to help with this ongoing response. Every team must have a trained and certified UMVIM team leader but volunteers do not need to have ERT training.

Volunteer housing has been organized in five churches in close proximity to the worst hit areas. There will be cots, restrooms, kitchens, showers, and washers and dryers available for visiting groups. The case managers will be identifying those who need help the most, and the project manager will provide the guidance for the work to be done.

Volunteer today to serve on a disaster response team by visiting: http://www.la-umc.org/pages/detail/1761

We have received word that the Louisiana Conference have started registering Early Response Trained teams to respond to damage by Hurricane Isaac.  If you have a current ERT badge (ie. have completed the UMCOR ERT course in the last three years), please start making plans within your local churches by beginning to form teams and collect materials. Please visit the registration page at the Louisiana Conference website by clicking here or going to: http://www.la-umc.org/pages/detail/1761 

There is a cost associated with the response effort.  Teams are needed for construction and gutting of houses.  Please check the above link for more details.

If you have any questions, please contact me at mlacey@northalabamaumc.org

-Matt and Eric

Rev. Matt Lacey, Director of Mission and Advocacy, North Alabama Conference

Rev. Eric Bell, Disaster Response Coordinator, North Alabama Conference

The following is an update from the Louisiana Annual Conference concerning ERT teams and disaster response. As Larry notes, please allow the annual conference to issue a formal invitation before deploying teams into another annual conference. Myself and Rev. Eric Bell, the disaster response coordinator for our conference, will issue further updates as they come in. Thank you for your prayer and support for the victims of Hurricane Isaac. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me at mlacey@northalabamaumc.org

- Matt

Rev. Matt Lacey, Director of Mission and Advocacy, North Alabama Conference.

Friends, we are very thankful for your messages of support and offers to help through ERT's and long term mission teams in these days after Isaac. We are still in the stages of evaluation and will be better prepared to receive you and make assignments toward the end of the week. It appears that much of the work with be mucking out and helping victims of the disaster to recover from flooding. You will understand that in some places we are still waiting for the flood waters to recede so that more accurate evaluations can be made. We will definitely need your help so please keep us in mind and in prayer. Announcements will be made soon regarding registration of teams and areas of need.

Larry D. Norman

Director LAVIM

Myself and the Conference Disaster Response Coordinator, Rev. Eric Bell, wanted to give a brief Disaster Response update on Hurricane Isaac and potential damage. We expect Isaac to hit the coast of Florida sometime this evening, with the potential of heavy storms reaching our conference around Wednesday. We wanted to remind everyone that while other conferences might appeal for help after first responders and others have done their jobs, any ERT (Early Response Trained) individuals and teams should not go inside or outside the conference for assistance without hearing from the Cabinet, myself, or Rev. Bell first. Of course, we do not mean for this to limit neighbors helping neighbors; this only addresses formal UMC disaster response protocol.

The Cabinet and the Conference Disaster Response team are keeping up with the latest information and are in touch with other annual conferences should the situation become extreme. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me at mlacey@northalabamaumc.org

- Matt

Rev. Matt Lacey, Director of Mission and Advocacy, North Alabama Conference

While many may dismiss the idea of “requirements” in our faith, I think Micah, and well, a bunch of other books in the Bible, make it clear. In order to call ourselves Christians, we must be the hands and feet of Christ in a broken and hurting world. If we aren’t doing that, we aren’t being the people God called us to be.

The lessons of the April 27th storms.

Our prayers go out to those who have already been affected by today's storms.  We are currently assessing the damage in the Northeast District and are looking to later this afternoon as more tornado-producing storms are likely in the conference area.  Our hearts also go out to those that have been previously affected, as painful memories once again come to the forefront of their minds.

Just a reminder in the event of severe weather today: neighbors helping neighbors is ok if it's safe, but outside volunteers need to hold off and wait for the conference/areas effected to issue a formal invitation. We will keep you posted, and share any information we have once it has been confirmed and finalized.  Please let the first responders do their critical work in the first hours and days of this disaster.  As Methodists we take pride in being one of the first groups on the ground, but also the last ones to leave in the time of disaster.

We will be sending out more updates, and you can also keep up with disaster information on Facebook by 'Liking' us at facebook.com/missionsnal  

- Matt

Rev. Matt Lacey, Director of Mission and Advocacy

Disaster Response work teams and ERT (Early Response Teams) teams are still needed in the areas of Clay and Center Point, AL. At this time we are calling for in-conference teams only, and outside conference teams can be scheduled on a case-by-case basis by contacting Rev. Matt Lacey, mlacey@northalabamaumc.org. If outside conference teams wish to serve all team members must have current and valid ERT UMCOR badges and disaster response experience, and must be self-contained.

At this time we are easing the requirements for in-conference teams. North Alabama teams must have a team leader with a valid UMCOR badge and disaster response experience. The members of the team must be disaster-response sensitive individuals, and though not required, UMCOR training is desired. All teams are subject to Safe Sanctuaries requirements. All individuals handing chainsaws must have chainsaw training or experience.

Here is the following information for how to serve in various areas. Please be flexible, and try your best to understand that individuals in affected areas, and volunteer orgs. are getting a lot of phone calls:

Clay, AL: Clay UMC is working with local authorities to continue to complete debris removal and chainsaw work. Please call 205-681-2727.

Center Point, AL: Please contact Christian Service Mission during the week at (205) 252-9906.

All areas: Hands on Birmingham is also coordinating relief. You can register through their website, after creating a login, or call (205) 251-5849. They will deploy teams on an as-needed basis.

If you have any questions concerning disaster relief work for the 2012 tornadoes, please contact Rev. Matt Lacey at mlacey@northalabamaumc.org
 

We have spoken with the EMA in the Clay area, which was heavily affected by Monday morning's storms, and as of Tuesday, January 24 at 8 a.m., they will be ready to receive Early Response Teams (ERT) from within the North Alabama Conference that fit the following criteria:

• Team leader must have ERT badge current in the last three years.
   
• Team members must have had ERT training at some point.
   
• All individuals must be disaster response sensitive and flexible.

Churches are encouraged to go ahead and have teams assembled and ready to tarp roofs and complete debris removal.

Team members must by 19 years of age and older. The EMA in the area will supervise volunteers and dispatch them. As always, teams are encouraged to maintain flexibility as disaster situations can change quickly.

Teams are to meet Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012, at 8 a.m. at Clay United Methodist Church at 6790 Old Springville Road, Pinson, AL 35216. Teams are encouraged to wear your green Disaster Response t-shirts or a shirt from your local United Methodist church.

At this time we are only calling for in-Conference ERT teams. After completion of work, team leaders please email Rev. Jonathan Todd, Central District Disaster Coordinator, at johnctodd@gmail.com with the number of hours worked and number of properties each team assisted.

If you have any questions concerning ERT work, please contact Rev. Matt Lacey at mlacey@northalabamaumc.org.

Our prayers go out to all those affected by last night's storms as lives were lost and homes and buildings were damaged. Our heart goes out especially to those who had to relive the trauma of April 27th, 2011 once again.

I would like to once again urge caution as we begin to assess the situation and let local law enforcement and rescue agencies do their jobs first, by helping those in immediate danger. The most important task right now is opening up lines of communication and getting reports of damage so that we can help when the time comes. We do not discourage neighbors helping neighbors as long as the situation is safe.

Right now as power is out in many areas, communication is a concern. If you have damage to church property or mass damage to a particular area of the conference that has not been reported by the media, please email me at mlacey@northalabamaumc.org, use your smartphone to post on our Facebook wall at www.facebook.com/missionsnal with reports.

We recognize that the people who were effected the most by the storms will not get this email, but we hope that as you get reports from your family and friends, you will relay this information to us. Myself and Rev. John Hassell, the Disaster Response Coordinator for the conference, are working to assess the damage and mobilze ERT teams when the time comes.

Again, please stay safe and do not mobilize any ERT team until the call is sent out and local officials have had time to do their jobs.

Blessings,
Matt

P.S. ERT (Early Response Team) volunteers can begin to prepare for response efforts by getting their team and supplies organized for when the Conference puts out the call for ERT volunteers. He reminds teams that the Conference Disaster Response Team must defer to local officials first and coordinate with them to safely deploy ERT volunteers.

Currently, the most immediate need at this time is for financial gifts to support the disaster response effort. Direct gifts to the North Alabama Conference Disaster Response can be sent to North Alabama Conference, January Storms Disaster Response, 898 Arkadelphia Road, Birmingham, AL 35204.

A reflection on how we listen to our outreach partner's true needs. 

A list of 2012 Mission Grant Recipients  

 A model for ministry that is often overlooked: outreach.

 Statement Regarding HB56 (Anti-immigration) Ruling on Behalf of Concerned Clergy

EARLY RESPONSE TEAMS ARE URGENTLY NEEDED IN COASTAL AREAS OF EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA:

The North Carolina Annual Conference has activated the Disaster Response Call Center in response to Hurricane Irene.  If you are part of an Early Response Team and are available to serve, please notify the Disaster Response Call Center via the Early Response Team Registration Form  to schedule your team. ERT Team Leaders are also asked to download and complete the forms found in the Early Response Team Information Packet and return them via email or fax to the Call Center prior to arrival in North Carolina.

The Disaster Response Call Center may be contacted at (888) 440-9167 or via email at disasterresponse@nccumc.org.

Further updates regarding Hurricane Irene Early Response efforts in the NC Annual Conference can be found on the UMVIM, NC  and the NC Conference Outreach Ministry web sites.

FROM THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE:

Hurricane Irene caused some significant wind damage in areas around James City County, Williamsburg, and Richmond. There are many trees down and there have been requests for chain saw work and debris removal.  There was significant flooding in the Willoughby Spit/ Pretty Lake area of Norfolk and we are awaiting assessments before proceeding with assistance. I have been in contact with the VABCH Emergency Manager this morning and there are not any calls for tarping or muck out in the city at this time.  I have only heard from four of the sixteen Districts about their current status and damages. Those Districts reporting are Arlington, Alexandria, York River and Elizabeth River.  The majority of reports of damaged churches came from Arlington / Alexandria and they were reporting damage from the earthquake and not the hurricane.  

Conference ERT teams are still on standby and equipment has been strategically pre-positioned in support of the ERTs, with possible UMVIM support later.  This morning the CDRT Communications Coordinator is calling all the District Superintendents/District Disaster Coordinators to get an update on damages to the Districts.  
 
I have offered to obtain Cleaning Buckets, School Kits and Health Kits from UMCOR Sager-Brown if needed. The Tennessee Conference is sending two truckloads of drinking water to support VDEM requests. We should start receiving assessment information on earthquake damage soon from VDEM and we will offer assistance and support to those affected localities as able.  Communication efforts have been slowed considerably due to power outages and loss of cell towers/ telephone lines.  The latest update reports that the majority of the power to the Commonwealth will be restored by Friday.  

NORTHEASTERN JURISDICTION OF UMVIM

For updates for the Northeastern United states, please check out their website: http://www.gbgm-umc.org/umvim-nej/

For more information on Early Response Teams or ERT Certification, contact Rev. Matt Lacey at mlacey@northalabamaumc.org.