Debris removal teams are currently needed in the Albertville area. Teams should contact Bill Cater at (256) 390-3404. Housing is available.

There is also a need for clerical help to assist people in filling out their assistance requests. Interested individuals should contact North Alabama Conference Disaster Response Team Coordinator Rev. John Hassell at (205) 275-7397 or Bill Cater (256) 390-3404.

There will be a need for UMVIM Teams as we progress into Long Term Recovery.
 

North Alabama United Methodists are reaching out to be in ministry to victims of storms and flooding that have affected North Alabama and other areas of the southeastern United States over the last few weeks.

North Alabama area

Volunteer early response teams are on the ground in the Albertville and Geraldine areas where tornadoes caused much damage on April 24.

Soon after the storms struck, an UMCOR grant was requested to help fund the United Methodist work in this area and a formal request was made for trained Early Response Teams (ERT) to begin disaster recovery in the Albertville and Geraldine areas.

Almost $500,000 in relief supplies have been sent to this area from the North Alabama Disaster Warehouse near Decatur in the Northwest District. Within 48 hours of the storms four equipped emergency trailers from the Northwest District, plus trained personnel, food, first aid equipment, water purifying systems, generators, tarps and prayers were in the area thanks to the generosity of North Alabama Conference United Methodists.

Following its District Conference on May 2, volunteers in the Mountain Lakes District gathered and packed backpacks of food for the children of Geraldine who because of the storm damage to their homes may not be able to eat on weekends when school is out. A commitment has been made to do that each week for as long as necessary. Churches in the Mountains Lakes District have also reached out to the McNutt Memorial UMC whose building was destroyed by a tornado on April 24.

As with any disaster, the United Methodist Church, through UMCOR, partners with other disaster organizations and denominations to help in the disaster recovery process. This partnership allows different organizations to offer their skills and expertise in different aspects of the disaster recovery process. United Methodists not only are among the first on the scene through trained early response teams, but we also are part of the long range recovery process with many volunteers trained in case management. This disaster is still in the early response and assessment period. However, UMCOR and United Methodist volunteers and work teams will continue to work in the area for many months to assure that every person in need is assisted.

United Methodist teams are being coordinated by the Mountain Lakes District Disaster Response Team. There is still a need for trained Early Response Teams. Contact the Mountain Lakes District Disaster Response Coordinator Bill Cater at (256) 390-3404 or Conference Disaster Response Coordinator Rev. John Hassell at cumc@dbtech.net or (205) 275-7397.

Mississippi and Tennessee

Storms on April 23 and 24 also caused damage in parts of Mississippi. UMCOR is responding to needs in those areas including sending relief supplies of cleaning (flood) buckets and health kits into the Mississippi Conference.

This week in response to the flooding in Tennessee, UMCOR sent a shipment of Cleaning Buckets from the UMCOR Sager Brown Depot on Monday morning, May 3. On Wednesday morning May 5, North Alabama volunteers delivered approximately 2000 health kits from the Disaster Warehouse in Decatur. These kits were collected in the last few weeks to restock the supply of kits after the majority were forwarded to the UMCOR Sager Brown Depot in Baldwin, La. -- the headquarters for UMCORs relief supply operations.

North Alabama Conference congregations and individuals have been amazingly generous in supporting the church’s disaster response through UMCOR this year. Beyond giving more than $225,000 in cash donations to the relief efforts for the earthquake in Haiti, United Methodists also collected Health Kits and other supplies. Several containers of supplies were sent directly to Haiti from North Alabama. Others truckloads of supplies were shipped to the UMCOR Sager Brown Depot. These supplies were both shipped to Haiti and ready to go as other disasters  strike – including the storms and floods affecting the Southeast at the current time.

How you can help:

Pray:

Please pray for those who have suffered losses in these storms.

Give

Help UMCOR respond with your gift to US Domestic Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #901670.
Every time you give to a designated emergency or program 100% of your gift supports the intended need. UMCOR does not use any of your designated gifts for administrative or home office costs-they are covered by other funding channels (such as the One Great Hour of Sharing Special Offering each year.)

To Give:
Write US Domestic Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #901670 in the memo line of your check.
By Offering - For local church and Annual Conference credit, put your gift in the offering plate on Sunday. Local Church can then send the funds to the Annual Conference Treasurer's Office.
By Check – Make your check to UMCOR and send to: UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087
By Credit Card - Call toll-free (800) 554-8583 or Give online at www.methodistrelief.org

Donate Kits and Relief Supplies

Currently, there is a specific need for Cleaning Buckets. (formerly called Flood Buckets)

Click here to find out more about Cleaning Buckets and to download a pdf to print and share with your congregation.

Note: if the requested item size is not available, go down to the next available size. If nothing is available in the requested or smaller size, put masking tape on the outside of the bucket saying, "This bucket contains no _________"

• 5-gallon bucket with resealable lid
• Bleach (two 1-quart or one 82 oz. bottle. Do not include bleach if you are shipping the bucket through the US Postal Service, UPS or FedEx)
• 5 scouring pads
• 7 Sponges
• 1 scrub brush
• 18 cleaning towels (reusable wipes)
• Liquid laundry detergent (two 25 oz. or one 50 oz. bottle)
• 1 household cleaner, 12-16 oz. bottle
• Disinfectant dish soap, 16-28 oz. bottle
• 50 clothes pins
• Clothes line (two 50 ft. or one 100 ft.)
• 5 dust masks
• 2 pair latex gloves
• 1 pair work gloves
• 24-bag roll of heavy-duty trash bags, 33-45 gallon (remove roll from box before placing in bucket)
• 1 Insect repellant spray, 6-14 oz. can (If aerosol, cans must have protective caps. See Special Requirements below.)
• 1 Air freshener, 8 or 9 oz. can (If aerosol, cans must have protective caps.

• All items included in kits must be NEW items.
• All emergency kits are carefully planned to make them usable in the greatest number of situations. Since strict rules often govern product entry into international countries, it is important that kits contain only the requested items-nothing more.
• Do NOT include any personal notes, money or additional materials in the kits. These things must be painstakingly removed and will delay the shipment.

Buckets may be delivered to:
Location 1 is the Disaster Warehouse near Decatur. Click here for information and directions to the warehouse. This warehouse is staffed by volunteers. So make sure you call before you plan your trip to the warehouse. Call (256) 341-9961 to set up your drop off time.

Location 2 is the United Methodist Center in Birmingham. Click here for directions to the United Methodist Center. 

Stay Informed

Subscribe to the North Alabama Conference Disaster Response email list to be notified of more specific needs by email. To subscribe click here and fill out the form choosing "Disaster Response Updates" as an area of interest.

Rev. Ray Crump reports that the Disaster Warehouse in Decatur is completely out of flood buckets. There is a growing need for these supplies in Tennessee.

Cleaning Bucket Kit Items Value: $55 per bucket.

Click here to find out more about Cleaning Bucket (formerly called Flood Buckets) and to download a pdf to print and share with your congregation.

Note: if the requested item size is not available, go down to the next available size. If nothing is available in the requested or smaller size, put masking tape on the outside of the bucket saying, "This bucket contains no _________"

• 5-gallon bucket with resealable lid
• Bleach (two 1-quart or one 82 oz. bottle. Do not include bleach if you are shipping the bucket through the US Postal Service, UPS or FedEx)
• 5 scouring pads
• 7 Sponges
• 1 scrub brush
• 18 cleaning towels (reusable wipes)
• Liquid laundry detergent (two 25 oz. or one 50 oz. bottle)
• 1 household cleaner, 12-16 oz. bottle
• Disinfectant dish soap, 16-28 oz. bottle
• 50 clothes pins
• Clothes line (two 50 ft. or one 100 ft.)
• 5 dust masks
• 2 pair latex gloves
• 1 pair work gloves
• 24-bag roll of heavy-duty trash bags, 33-45 gallon (remove roll from box before placing in bucket)
• 1 Insect repellant spray, 6-14 oz. can (If aerosol, cans must have protective caps. See Special Requirements below.)
• 1 Air freshener, 8 or 9 oz. can (If aerosol, cans must have protective caps.

• All items included in kits must be NEW items.
• All emergency kits are carefully planned to make them usable in the greatest number of situations. Since strict rules often govern product entry into international countries, it is important that kits contain only the requested items-nothing more.
• Do NOT include any personal notes, money or additional materials in the kits. These things must be painstakingly removed and will delay the shipment.

Buckets may be deleivered to:

Location 1 is the Disaster Warehouse near Decatur. Click here  for information about both the Northwest District area warehouse. This warehouse is staffed by volunteers. So make sure you call before you plan your trip to the warehouse. Call (256) 341-9961 to set up your drop off time.

Location 2 is the United Methodist Center in Birmingham. Click here  for directions to the United Methodist Center.

ERT Volunteers Needed

Also, trained volunteers are needed to do damage assement in the Albertville area. At this time we are coordinating with Bill Cater, the Mountain Lakes District Disaster Response coordinator. Please contact Conference Disaster Response Coordinator Rev. John Hassell at cumc@dbtech.net  or 205-275-7397 or Bill Cater at 256-390-3404. 

Support UMCOR's work

The spring storm season is upon us. Please pray for those who have suffered losses in these storms and help UMCOR respond with your gift to US Domestic Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #901670

Every time you give to a designated emergency or program 100% of your gift supports the intended need. UMCOR does not use any of your designated gifts for administrative or home office costs-they are covered by other funding channels (such as the One Great Hour of Sharing Special Offering each year.)

To Give:
Write US Domestic Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #901670 in the memo line of your check.

• By Offering - For local church and Annual Conference credit, put your gift in the offering plate on Sunday. Local Church can then send the funds to the Annual Conference Treasurer's Office.
• By Check – Make your check to UMCOR and send to: UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087
• By Credit Card - Call toll-free (800) 554-8583 or Give online at www.methodistrelief.org 

We have a formal request for all Emergency Response Trained members of the annual conference to begin disaster recovery in the Albertville and Geraldine areas. At this time we are coordinating with Bill Cater, the Mountain Lakes District Disaster Response coordinator. ERT trained members are needed for clean up and clerical work. Albertville FUMC will be the staging area for the recovery process. There is also a need for a disaster response trailer with a generator since there is currently no power. Please contact Rev. John Hassell at cumc@dbtech.net  or 205-275-7397 or Bill Cater at 256-390-3404. Please forward this message as needed.

Two United Methodist Churches in the Mountain Lakes District were destroyed during the storms on Saturday night, April 24, 2010.

McNutt Memorial UMC in Fort Payne was leveled by a tornado. Pine Grove UMC in Blount County burned completely on the inside. The State Fire Marshall is currently investigating the cause of the Pine Grove fire.

Mountain Lakes District Superintendent Rev. Bill Gandy reports, “The churches had worship on Sunday and many community persons have responded with help. Neighboring United Methodist churches to McNutt and Pine Grove have made their facilities available for worship to them.“

Gandy also notes that other areas of the District also suffered damage. “We also have damage from the storm in downtown Albertville and Geraldine. The first church at Geraldine suffered some damage to the building but won’t prevent them from using it. We have damage in the Mentone community as well.”

Gandy adds, “We have some injuries but no fatalities.”

The Mountain Lakes District Disaster Response team will meet this week to discuss how the church can respond to people who have been displaced and suffered property damage and loss. They will also work with the Conference Disaster Response team in seeking help from UMCOR if necessary.

We will share updates as more information develops.

North Alabama Conference Controller Johnny Frazier reports, “Thru February 28 we have sent $226,515 cash donations and gifts from the North Alabama Conference office for UMCOR relief efforts to Haiti. These have been gifts from churches and individuals who sent their donations through the Conference Treasurer’s Office. This would, of course, not include any direct donations or gifts by churches or individuals to UMCOR or the GBGM nor the many health kits and other supplies donated for this relief effort.”

Thank you North Alabama!

Here is an update from GBGM MIssionary John Elmore:

I was going to write this newsletter informing you of all the good work that was done by VIM teams over the last eight months. Due to the recent Earthquake. I think this will be better.

Earthquake Chile
Friends, Thank you for all your letters and prayers…First off Cristina and I are fine. The area we are in is about two hours west of the main earthquake activity. The City of Angol where we live and work was hit with a 8.9. Many building were damaged beyond repair. Most of the buildings that suffered the most structural damage were buildings made of adobe. Also a lot of very old brick buildings.

El Vergel Agricultural School, where I presently work, suffered damage as well. The Hostal, which is the original farmhouse that is still used by the school as a Kind of Hotel, was severely damaged. The teams that will come this year will be working on this building. The other damage that was significant was to the School Church, which is another old, beautiful building. The Social Hall where a lot of you worked this past year also will need some work.

A lot of this work will need to be done to the outside as well as the inside. Here in Chile it is approaching fall. Very soon it will start raining. For that reason it is urgent to fix the outside of these buildings. When the groups start coming in July, we can work on the inside.

As I am writing this letter March 6,2010 six days after the earthquake. We have had at least three shakes per day. Everyone keeps expecting a bigger one. It makes it hard to work, but everyone is doing their part in continuing their lives and repairing damages where they can. The accessibility to Internet for me here has been sparse. The first few days after the first Quake, we had no electricity or communication with the outside. We had no water. Things are slowly on the repair. Yesterday I was able to go to the hardware store, and purchase some supplies. Today after a 6.8 Quake this morning they are only permitting one person in the store at a time. So it is not over here. I believe it is going to be a while before things return to normal.

Children’s Home
Here in Angol The Methodist Church supports a Children’s home. It is a Place where kids from age 6months to eighteen years old, come to live. They are sent there by the courts, due to problems in their homes, sexual abuse, alcoholism drugs or the parents just can’t afford to have them. A few members of my church and I spend a lot of time with them, having cookouts, and taking them to parks. We try to give them the love and attention they so desperately need. A few of us from the church go there every week and do a devotional with them. We take our guitars and sing with them.

Over the last eight months every VIM group that has come to work at El Vergel Agricultural School Have had the experience of being with the Kids in there home. They have made a huge impression on these kids. All the groups have donated something to the Home, new furniture for the area where when the parents come to visit so they can visit comfortable. A refrigerator, Metal lockers with locks so that the older kids can have there own things. One group from Alabama had five ladies over there every day, painting beautiful murals on the walls, and also painting other walls. The place looks and feels completely different than the way it did when I first visited. Now the bad news.

The buildings walls are adobe. During the early Sunday morning hours of the 28th of February, the kids got out of their beds and were rushed outside into the yard. They could not return to there temporary home that night or even now. Their house, there home has been condemned. Early on Sunday morning the kids were taken along with some mattresses to Our Church building. That is where they are now and probably will be there until we can find them a new home. Over the last week we moved all their things from the home into the Church. I spent the last two days with the group that was with me, putting together bunk beds, and sorting clothes, turning the upstairs classrooms into dorm rooms.

The decision by the Board is to try and build them a new home. We are working on finding a piece of land somewhere in town. It is possible that the owners of the Old home that has been condemned will sell us the property; we could possibly build something new in the same location.

Reflection
When I talk to churches and VIM groups that come and work with me. I remind them that the physical work that is done is secondary. The most important work is that the relationships in Christ that are developed. The relationship between you and God that is strengthened. The relationship between two different cultures. I don’t want to say that the work is not important,. But the relationships in Christ are eternal. Buildings fall down, and we have just seen a prime example, of what a five-minute earth shake will do here in Chile as well in Haiti. So while we dig foundations, and footings and raise walls of a new building. Maybe God is building something stronger and everlasting in us.
Out of the rubble and when the dust settles, the presence of God is seen, through the helping hands of many that come to the immediate rescue in prayer.

Request
If you would like to help financially with either of these projects,

The repair work on the Agricultural School, which would include work on The Hostel- The Church – and the Social Hall/ Gymnasium.

Funds to help us build a new Children’s home. Just a note- the department from where the children come through and are monitored, has offered to help also with some construction funds for the rebuilding.

This is the advance Number
General Construction in Chile # 3020485
Write on the check where you want these funds to go.
1. El vergel Agricutural School
or
2. Childrens Transitional Home

Below is a message from the Methodist Bishop in Chile:

METHODIST CHURCH OF CHILE REPORT ON SITUATION ORIGINATED BY EARTHQUAKE

A fraternal greeting in the grace and peace of our Lord. Jesus Christ, special way to the Methodist brotherhood in the districts " William Taylor”, Concepción and the South, that undergo the rigor of the recent earthquake that has affected these regions of our country. Our solidarity and pray by the congregations, like also by thousands of our compatriots who are living this reality. We also express our affection and gratitude to the foreigners that have made us feel their concern, pray and support in these circumstances

Just yesterday Sunday and today Monday, after unfruitful efforts to obtain some telephone communication, we subsequent to have a partial vision of the situation the earthquake. Luckyly, until the moment, one has not inquired into damages or injuries to the methodist brotherhood integrity of. Nevertheless, the infrastructure of temples, pastoral houses, institutions or houses of the members of our Church, like also its equipment and furniture of houses, have been awfully damaged, especially in the churches of the districts “William Taylor”, Concepción and the South (seventh, eighth and ninth region of our country).

In some places, like for example: Church of Camilo Olavarría, has been necessary to evacuate the pastoral house by severe damages in its infrastructure and in other cities also the damages to pastoral houses have been considerable. The temples of Angol, Second of Temuco, Chillán, Los Angeles, First of Santiago, have serious damages in their infrastructure, other cases the damages are little smaller, but also of taken care of much. (Concepción, Temuco, Temple, and, the agriculture boarding school of El Vergel) In several properties of the Church, as much in Santiago as in province, the peripheral walls with the neighbors have collapsed

There are churches of which we do not have information some until the moment: Talcahuano, Chiguayante, Coelemu, among others, by mainly not to have been possible to establish some kind of communication.

In most of the cases not yet there is provision of the basic services: potable water, electrical energy, cellular telephone or. The food shortage is let feel with severity, like also the lack of fuels. In the central offices of theMethodist Church in Santiago, street Sergeant 1041, has been stated significant damages in its infrastructure, in addition, the potable water provisions and electricity not yet have been restored.

In the middle of this circunstance, we make a call express our brotherly solidarity throughg the prayers and helps by means of love offerings that allow us to accompany this difficult moment that many of our brotherhood are lived.

We express to each of them, next to its families, the love and communion of the Church, in the certainty that will receive the strength necessary to face this circunstance.
“But in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Romans 8:37

Brotherly in Jesus Christ.
Mario Martinez Tapia
Bishop Methodist Church of Chile

9 a.m.

I spoke with John Elmore, GBGM missionary to Chile affiliated with the North Alabama Conference by phone this morning. John and his wife are currently fine. However, the earthquake has caused a children's home in Angol to become uninhabitable and he believes that a new structure will have to be built. No children were hurt in the quake. Currently John is housing the children in his church. John said the biggest need right now was prayer and for churches to donate funds to help repair the damage. You can write a check either to the North Alabama Conference, or to The Advance using Advance number 3020485; please mark in the memo line "Angol, Chile - John Elmore". Or you can donate online using that same Advance number by clicking here (again, during checkout make sure you write "Angol, Chile".

-Matt

9 p.m.

UMCOR has now set up a site in order to receive aid. Visit at: http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/newsroom/releases/archives2010/earthquakeinchile/

-Matt

4:30 p.m.

I have received word that John Elmore, a North Alabama Conference affiliated missionary with GBGM is safe at home with his wife. Telephone and internet service is sporadic, and I will gather and share more information when I can.

-Rev. Matt Lacey, Director of Mission and Advocacy

6 a.m.

This is a message from Rev. Matt Lacey, Director of Mission and Advocacy, North Alabama Conference UMC:

Early this morning in Chile, a 8.8 earthquake struck the Southern half of the country. Reports at this time indicate around 100 deaths, and authorities on the ground are learning more about the situation. The North Alabama Conference currently has a missionary, John Elmore, stationed in Angol, Chile, which is in the South of the country. While I had not received word from John Elmore yet as to his safety, his station is 2 hours from the epicenter and 60 miles from a 6.0 aftershock. I am continually trying to reach John, and hopefully will receive word soon.

We have not accessed the needs of the area yet, and churches are asked to keep track through the conference webpage, or the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).

Just almost 2 months ago, a massive earthquake struck Haiti. Many are now fearful of the damage in Chile, as the earthquake there was larger in magnitude. However, if there is any good news (and that is a relative term) Chile's infrastructure was far more equipped to deal with this situation than Haiti. However, it is clear that there will be a great loss of life and spirit to those in the country. We ask all churches to pray fervently for all those affected by this, and any, disaster.

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

A 40 foot container packed with disaster relief supplies left Decatur at the end of last week and will arrive in Haiti on March 2.

The supplies include items donated by North Alabama United Methodists and others who have heard about the church’s work there and wish to help the people of Haiti. Items include tents, medical supplies, health kits and the fourth water treatment system sent by United Methodists. (This will make the 11th water treatment system sent by people from the North Alabama area.)

This loaded container is the second shipment to leave the Decatur Disaster Warehouse going directly to Haiti. (A private plane delivered supplies last month.) Other supplies donated by North Alabama United Methodists have been packed by volunteers at the Decatur Disaster Warehouse and shipped to the main UMCOR warehouse, the Sagar Brown Depot in Louisiana, to be forwarded to Haiti with other supplies collected by United Methodists across the United States.

Rev. Ray Crump, the Director of the Decatur Warehouse notes volunteers are in the planning stages to send a second container in the next couple of months. Earlier Ray said the response to the Haiti Disaster is the largest he has seen in 50 years of ministry.

The wider community is also taking note of the United Methodist’s response. Many local media outlets have covered the collections and shipments from the Decatur Disaster Warehouse.Click here to see a story by WAAY in Huntsville from the day this latest container was packed to be shipped.

United Methodist Response continues

Below is the latest update from UMVIM, SEJ regarding the Haiti Response

United Methodist Volunteers In Mission (UMVIM), SEJ the short-term mission agency of the Southeastern Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church, announced that UMVIM, SEJ Executive Director Paulette West is traveling to Haiti with UMCOR and UMVIM officials in order to attend the annual conference of the Methodist Church of Haiti and to meet with church leadership. While there, Paulette will be having discussions with leaders on the ground as we identify projects and areas in which volunteers can safely and effectively serve.

At UMVIM, SEJ, we are intentional about working with local church leadership as we assess needs and readiness for volunteers. As soon as the Methodist Church of Haiti invites in volunteer teems, we stand ready to facilitate these teams. Please know that the United Methodist Church is already at work in Haiti, supported by your generous gifts to UMCOR. As part of UMCOR's work in Haiti, some of the debris-clearing and recovery work that could be done by volunteers will actually be done by Haitians in a pay-for-work program. In a country with near-universal unemployment, this pay-for-work program is vital, and we believe it to be a faithful part of our work there.

Once this initial work is completed, there will be many, many opportunities for UMVIM volunteers to serve in Haiti. We continue to work with annual conference UMVIM coordinators to disseminate information about the need for volunteers, and we will have more specific information following next week's assessment trip.

To register your interest in traveling to Haiti, please visit http://secure.gbgm-umc.org/HaitiVolunteer

 The following is a notice from Rev. Ray Crump, Director of the Disaster Resonse Warehouse in Decatur:

We have decided to close the Disaster Warehouse until next Thursday, due to weather. If our volunteers get sick, we will lose them and could be unable to keep it open. Our concern is that there is no heat in the warehouse and one day it is not expected to get above freezing. Those of you who have been at the warehouse, know what I am talking about. We will continue to operate by appointment only, just through next Thursday. So call these numbers if you have items you would like to bring to the warehouse and someone can meet you there, (256) 341-9961 or (256) 642-1759.

Please pass this along to your church family, as many of them may be serving as volunteers. Thanks and have a great weekend!

Please note: Due to the inclement weather forecast, The United Methodist Disaster Warehouse in Decatur will close on Friday, Jan. 29 at 4 p.m. for the weekend. The Warehouse will reopen on Monday morning at 9 a.m.

Today, volunteers from the Warehouse are networking with the Tennessee Conference and will be sending an eighteen wheeler full of health kits to the main UMCOR Sagar Brown Depot in Louisiana next week.

There is still a need for health kits. The warehouse is also collecting these specific items: rice, dry beans, baby formula and diaper rash ointment. All items may be delivered to a drop off location (see below) or directly to the Warehouse in Decatur. Please call to schedule a delivery time at the Warehouse (256) 341-9961.

Director for the Disaster Warehouse Rev. Ray Crump says, “Thanks, to every United Methodist for your time spent volunteering, your contributions, and especially your help at the warehouse. For those who have not been to the warehouse, come see what God's church is doing. Wear warm clothes and bring a camera. You will be blessed!”

Drivers Needed for Health Kits delivery: Anyone who is willing to volunteer for a one-time or on a reoccurring basis to take health kits to the North Alabama Conference warehouse in Decatur from the United Methodist Center in Birmingham please contact Director of Mission and Advocacy Rev. Matt Lacey at mlacey@northalabamaumc.org or call (205) 202-1879. Donations are coming in and we need to have all the supplies in one location to be shipped when needed.

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

We in North Alabama grieve the loss of Sam Dixon of UMCOR and Clint Rabb of GBGM Mission Volunteers. I have served with Rev. Rabb for several years on the UMVIM board, and with Sam through UMCOR, and know these losses will be felt instantly across the denomination. Though the loss of these lives and many, many others are tragic, we must continue to believe in a God who continues to move and work, and a God who grieves when we grieve and knows our pain. Continue to pray for their families as well as the families of those whom we may not know personally, and every single Haitian who has been affected.

I have received many phone calls and emails about North Alabama’s disaster response effort, and continue to be moved by the outpouring of support from our churches large and small.

I urge you to continue to pray, support, and give. At this time the best way to help is to donate money through UMCOR. While most people feel this is the most impersonal way to give, it helps in any number of ways, including stimulating the local Haitian economy.

Health kits are, and will continue to be for many months, needed and will continue to be collected either at the United Methodist Center in Birmingham, the disaster response warehouse in Decatur, and at Anniston First UMC.

I have also received some phone calls about volunteering in Haiti. While some trained staff are on the ground at this time, please do not send volunteers into the disaster area. If you know of anyone from North Alabama that is currently on the ground, or is planning to go, please let me know immediately. We estimate that it will be mid-March at the earliest before mission teams will be sent.

This week, as we remember the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. we must remind ourselves of the importance of our service. As Dr. King said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’”

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is mobilizing resources and working with it's partners to begin direct relief operations in Haiti. UMCOR continues to receive gifts online which have totaled more than $1 million so far.

100% of all gifts to UMCOR will support relief efforts in Haiti. UMCOR has a four star rating from Charity Navigator and is one of the only organizations working in Haiti to have an A+ rating from the American Institute of Philanthropy.

Mark your donations “Haiti Emergency Advance #418325." Give online at www.umcorhaiti.org

UMVIM, SEJ now collecting contact information for those interested in traveling to Haiti to assist in disaster recovery

At the request of UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief), UMVIM, SEJ (United Methodist Volunteers in Mission, Southeastern Jurisdiction) is collecting contact information for individuals interested in traveling to Haiti to assist in disaster recovery and humanitarian aid. Interested missioners can visit www.umvim.org/haiti  and enter their contact information into the form on that page. This list of contacts will be activated as soon as UMVIM has news about scheduling a mission trip to Haiti.

At the current time, it is unsafe for UMVIM mission teams to enter Haiti. UMVIM anticipates it being mid-March before the situation will have settled enough to be able to support mission teams.

While the desire to offer immediate help is universal among Christians, prayerful waiting is the most faithful witness missioners can offer at this time. Those wishing to give immediate assistance should continue to contribute to UMCOR.

For continuing information about the situation in Haiti and UMVIM, SEJ's response, visit www.umvim.org/haiti

For Updates and Information

Subscribe to North Alabama's Disaster Response eNewsletter at http://northalabamaumc.org/site/stayconnected

You will also find breaking news and information appears at http://www.umc.org/haiti  and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/unitedmethodistchurch  

A bulletin insert about UMCOR's work in Haiti and how to help is now available. Click here to download a pdf file http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/media/cbi-pdfs/haitiemergencybulletin.pdf 

Health Kits

The North Alabama Conference has shipped 3000 Health Kits to Haiti. We need to replenish our supply so more kits may be shipped to Haiti and other areas of disaster as needed

Health kits provide basic necessities to people who have been forced to leave their homes because of human conflict or natural disaster. Please remember for Heath Kits to be shipped internationally, they must comply to the standards described in the instructions.

Click here for Health Kit Instructions: http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/getconnected/supplies/health-kit/

Click here for a downloadable and printable PDF file of Health Kit instructions: http://na.brickriver.com/files/oFiles_Library_XZXLCZ/sbdhealthkitv02_XZ7YUB4B.pdf

To save money on shipping, you may bring your church's health kits to one of the drop of locations within the North Alabama Conference. They will then be taken to the Conference Warehouse so they can be shipped in bulk.

Drop off Locations:

The North Alabama Conference Disaster Response Warehouse in Decatur, AL
2342 Breckenridge Avenue, Building R, Decatur, AL 35603
Call to schedule a delivery time: (256) 341-9961

United Methodist Center in Birmingham
898 Arkadelphia Road
Birmingham, AL 35204

First United Methodist Church in Anniston
1400 Noble Street
Anniston, AL 36201
256-236-5605

Process to schedule a mission team to Haiti

The Southeastern Jurisdiction Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM, SEJ)  is now collecting information from those who are interested in traveling to Haiti to assist in the recovery effort.

Any volunteers wanting to go to Haiti  first should go to www.umvim.org and click on Haiti News, and fill out the form.  (The direct link to the form is: http://www.umvim.org/newsite/umvim/web-content/Pages/about/haiti.html )

Once the disaster area is ready to accept volunteer team information about scheduling a mission trip to Haiti will be sent to the people on that list with the details from UMVIM, SEJ .