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.

An invitation to discussion regarding Alabama HB 56. 

 One response to Alabama's new immigration law, by Rev. Matt Lacey.

 How we shift into the long-term recovery phase of this disaster.

How we transition into the long recovery phase from the deadly April tornadoes.

How we reconcile the tragedy, and the promise of God 

Starting tomorrow (Wednesday, 4 May) at 7a.m., we are creating a Disaster Response Center at the North Alabama Conference Office.

You can reach the center at this number: 1-855-862-8657, starting Wednesday, May 4th, at 7 a.m.

The past 6 days have been a long journey for many of us. As I have traveled to heavily affected areas, I am reminded of what it really means to be the body of Christ. Churches, from the minute the dust settled, reached out to those in need. We began organizing as soon as the storms passed, last Wednesday night, to get relief on the ground.

I want to make this clear: the UMC was on the ground, being the body of Christ the moment the storms hit. I want to thank all of our churches, districts, leaders, staff and volunteers. I cannot express what a difference you have made. Lives were saved, restored, and comforted because of you.

As we open the call center on Wednesday, I encourage you to phone in and ask what supplies you can give, where you can take supplies, what you can do to volunteer (ERT trained, or not), and for updates about affected areas. I want to express my thanks to all those who have helped me delegate and process information on the ground around the conference, so we could help those in this disaster over the past week. We could not have done this without you.

I hope you pay attention to the criteria we released just yesterday which opens up the volunteer base significantly. If you missed it, click here for that information.

If you are available, I would like to invite you to volunteer at the conference office, operating this important phone line. If you are interested in this, please contact Mary Simpson at (205) 226-7974 or msimpson@northalabamaumc.org  to be added to the call center volunteer schedule.

Thank you again for all your hard work. In the times of deepest need, God makes God's presence known the most, and that is through all of us, the hands of feet of Christ.

-Matt

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

A group comprised of North Alabama Conference Director of Mission and Advocacy Matt Lacey, Tom Hazelwood of UMCOR, and clergy/cabinet members affected by the tornado disaster revisited the requirements for Emergency Response Team leaders. This group met following the pre-conference meeting of the Central and South Central Districts and reevaluated the makeup of teams working in heavily hit disaster response areas.

These new criteria will allow [only] in-conference volunteers to mobilize on the ground in these areas, and to gain valuable experience in disaster response:

• Teams may be comprised of disaster-response-sensitive individuals with a passion for this ministry, but no formal UMCOR ERT training.
• Team leaders of such teams will need to have had UMCOR training since 2004, and experience in the disaster response field.
• Team leaders will then register their team through the conference website, and await further contact for deployment (please be patient as we are getting a lot of requests).

Teams coming from outside of the conference to serve in North Alabama will have to follow these criteria:

• Team members must be UMCOR ERT certified in the past 5 years
• Team leaders much be UMCOR ERT certified in the past 3 years, with disaster experience.
• Team leaders and potential team members should contact your Annual Conference to find out about teams in your area.
• Team leaders will then register their team through the conference website, and await further contact for deployment (please be patient as we are getting a lot of requests).

To register your team click here.

We are now understanding the full scale of this disaster.  It has wrecked lives, homes, cars, and hearts.  But, the United Methodists of North Alabama are mobilized and making a big difference in the lives of many, many people.

Here is the good news: we have established a supply network through many of our churches, and as of today, have organized a volunteer network through the UMCOR and UMVIM partnership of Emergency Response Training [ERT].  ERT teams from within and outside of the conference are now out in full force making a difference.

But, it is not over. We will remain after the news cameras have gone, and after other organizations have left.  United Methodists are here to stay.  

Here is what you can do:

-Donate supplies.  Click here for a list of network churches which are now accepting supplies.  Please call ahead and be sensitive that these churches can quickly become overwhelmed and supply needs will rapidly change.

-Give through the UMCOR Advance. The Advance allows 100% of your donation to go to the affected area.  You can donate online by clicking here, or through writing a check to the conference office and adding the Advance number 3021326.

-Volunteer. I encourage United Methodists to volunteer with organizations like Red Cross and United Way.  For individuals who are ERT trained through UMCOR in the past 5 years (for team leaders 3 years), and wish to act as an early response team, click here to register.  Please be patient as volunteer requests come in rapidly.  We will have more ERT trainings soon.  Please check the conference website for details to come.

-Pray and listen. Be a witness with those folks who have been affected.  Listen to their story, and lift it up to God everyday.

Everyone has worked extremely hard.  I hope you know churches across the conference have been showing the love of Christ to those in need, and United Methodist have been, are, and will continue to be on the ground, being the body of Christ for the world.

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

What you can do to respond to the tornadoes on April 27th.  

How you can respond to the tornadoes on April 27, 2011 

We are receiving more information as the day progresses.  We continue to advise individuals not to travel to the hardest hit areas, as the emergency responders and Red Cross need us out of the way at this particular time.  Our best guess is that UMCOR Emergency Response trained [ERT] individuals will be needed next week and in the weeks to come.  We will be having a couple of ERT trainings in the conference soon.  Please check the conference website for more information.  

We have established the regulations for already UMCOR ERT trained individuals.  We will begin organizing ERT teams at the beginning of next week. Team leaders MUST have a valid UMCOR ERT badge in the last 3 years. Team members must have a valid conference or UMCOR ERT badge in the last 5 years. To volunteer, please email alumcvolunteer@gmail.com with the following info:
- Name
- Church
- Appox. date trained
- Do you still have your badge?
- Dates available to volunteer

Again, we stress that these regulations be maintained.  If you have any questions, please contact me at mlacey@northalabamaumc.org or at 205.202.1879. 

- Matt

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

We lift up all those affect by yesterday's storms.  We have received many reports of damage throughout the conference and are working diligently to assess all information.  I would like to remind everyone that though we want to help as much as we can, we need our police, firefighers, and search and rescue teams to do their jobs first, as well as organizations like the Red Cross.  Please do not travel to heavily affected areas without an invitation.  We will be mobilizing volunteers, but need to assess first.

If your church has been severely damaged, please contact your district superintendent.  If there is severe need for food, health, and medical supplies in your area, that has not yet been broadcast, please contact me at mlacey@northalabamaumc.org or at (205) 202-1879.  Please visit the conference website for additional information.  

- Matt

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

Be a part of real hope, throughout the world, at this year's annual conference.