Hurricane Response

• FINANCIAL SUPPORT -- Please give generously to UMCOR. Make your check to your local church (for example, "First United Methodist Church") or to "Holston Conference." Mark "Hurricanes 2005 Katrina #982523" or "Hurricane Rita #901323" on the memo line. Then, we suggest the churches submit contributions through the Conference Treasurer's Office, P.O. Box 32939, Knoxville, TN 37930-2939, to receive credit for the Advance Special contribution. Church treasurers should designate Project 527 for funds sent to Hurricane Katrina, or Project 529 for Hurricane Rita, on their remittance forms.You can also make credit-card donations by calling (800) 554-8583 or online at http://methodistrelief.org.
  
  
• EARLY RESPONSE TEAMS – Early Response Teams provide a critical role in Disaster Relief and Recovery. Persons, teams, or local churches interested in sending an Early Response Team through United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) must contact Bonnie Howard by e-mail or phone 865-458-4943. Bonnie is the contact for making arrangements, being assigned a work site, and completing necessary forms for each team to go. It is very important that each team work through Bonnie, so we ask that you contact her early in your planning. Additional Info for Volunteers
  
  
• TRUCKS OR TRAILERS – UMCOR Sager Brown is still in need of trucks or trailers with accompanying volunteers who can stay and help with distribution for a few days. To volunteer with a truck/trailer, call Ted at 1-800-334-4221 or e-mail Volunteers@Sagerbrown.org.
  
  
• EVACUEE CARE AND HOSPITALITY – Many congregations, conference ministries, and individuals have reached out to help persons displaced by the hurricanes. UMCOR has joined with Church World Service Disaster Response to formulate some helpful tips for those who already have persons they are hosting  or for those who may consider offering hospitality in the future. 
  
  
• IMPORTANT WORD OF CAUTION -- Please don't go to a disaster zone too soon. Some areas are still in the rescue phase, while others have moved into the early stages of relief. Relief operations will not begin until after the Public Safety officials clear the areas for residents to begin returning to examine the damage. If clean-up begins before insurance adjustors have examined damage for claims, then property owners may have problems making appropriate claims for damage. Teams can be organizing now for departure in the next 7-10 days. Teams will be needed to help with mucking-out  homes for a month or more. Rebuilding will not begin in some areas for several months yet. If you can send a team, please contact Bonnie Howard (865-458-4943).
   
  
• EMOTIONAL RESPONSE TO CRISIS -- Dr. Gary Mauldin, Holston Conference Pastoral Counselor, has provided us with a resource to assist pastors and lay persons in dealing with the depression and stress created by this natural disaster (insert .pdf link here). The document, "Critical Incident Stress Reactions," assists in recognizing signs of stress and provides some suggested steps to take to address the signs of depression.
  
  
• WORSHIP RESOURCES -- "When the Wind Blows: Worship Resources for Use After Hurricanes or Other Natural Disasters." Clergy and lay leadership may want to have this to plan worship for Sunday.
  
  
• UMCOR NEWS – Are you interested in the latest updated news from UMCOR? Click on these links below for additional information about how United Methodists are responding to Hurricanes and other disasters around the world:
  Hurricane coverage by United Methodist Committee on Relief Hurricane coverage by United Methodist News Service
  
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