WASHINGTON WILDFIRES
Firefighters are finally containing the massive Carlton Complex Fires in Eastern Washington (52% contained as of Thursday, July 24th). The other wildfires burning near Chelan, north of Wenatchee, and south of Cheney are also being contained. Thanks be to God . . . and thanks be to the firefighters!
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| Photo courtesy of the Washington State National Guard, by SFC Jason Kriess. |
As the firefighters begin to stand-down and rest up for the next fire, the communities affected by the fires begin to seek relief and recovery. Hardest hit was the community of Pateros. Our Conference Associate Lay Leader, David Reinholz, posted a great report on the situation in Pateros yesterday. If you haven't read David's report and looked at the pictures he took, I urge you to do so.
Also hard hit was the Methow Valley, where the destruction was more widespread, the towns of Twisp and Winthrop being spared from a direct encounter with the fires. Throughout the more than 250,000 acres burned by the fire the power is out. Restoring power is one of the highest priorities of emergency managers.
Also hard hit was the Methow Valley, where the destruction was more widespread, the towns of Twisp and Winthrop being spared from a direct encounter with the fires. Throughout the more than 250,000 acres burned by the fire the power is out. Restoring power is one of the highest priorities of emergency managers.
BAHAMAS METHODIST HABITAT NEEDS INTERNS
Bahamas Methodist Habitat is looking for some Fall and Spring Semester Interns! We are looking for someone to help run teams, work in the office, and help with after school. If you or someone you know might be interested please email Brenda at methodisthabitat@gmail.com.
GLOBAL MINISTRIES SEEKS VOLUNTEER
The General Board of Global Ministry seeks experienced volunteer to support agricultural work, manage finances NEW YORK CITY (GBGM) - Una Jones, Assistant General Secretary for Mission Volunteers at the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries, recently issued an urgent appeal for volunteers to help fill the ministry gap left by the death of Tshala Mwengo (in an April car accident) until more permanent help is secured. There is a need for an experienced individual to support the agricultural work and manage the finances of the Mujila Falls project in Zambia. Interested volunteers available for three-to-six month short-term assignments can contact Una Jones at ujones@umcmission.org.
EBOLA OUTBREAK NEWS
Please be informed on information from the CDC regarding the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. This is the largest outbreak in history and they are working hard but struggling to contain it. The CDC has urged that no unessential travel occur to Seirra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia. Here is a link to this "Level 3" Warning: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/warning/ebola-liberia. Note that there are only three warning levels used by the CDC (http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices) and this is the one urging the highest caution. Please be sure to keep your teams scheduled to travel to these areas or even near these areas within the next 6 months posted--share this information.
UMCOR RESPONDS TO THE IMMIGRATION CRISIS AT THE BORDER
The current
immigration crisis involving adults,
accompanied minors, and unaccompanied minors
crossing into the U.S. along our Southwest border has been labeled a
humanitarian disaster.
UMCOR’s has
responded by supporting the conferences most affected with grant funds for hospitality,
material supplies where needed, and collaboration with our ecumenical and
governmental partners.
In the U.S., UMCOR always works on invitation of the
episcopal leadership of the Annual Conference that has been affected by a
disaster. In this instance, UMCOR has released emergency grants of $10,000 to
the Southwest TX and Desert South West conferences upon request of Bishop Dorff
and Bishop Hoshibata.
UMCOR is currently
engaged in grant discussions for ongoing coordination of relief services for
the areas of
McAllen, Laredo, Brownsville , and Nogales.
Bishop Dorff announced the
appointment of Rev. Javier
Leyva to oversee the coordination of Immigration ministry response for SWTX
conference - a position that will be
supported with UMCOR grant funds. The
Holdings Institute – a UMW property –
within SWTX has been meeting the hospitality needs of immigrant arrivals
in their area and will become part of a response plan with SWTX. UMCOR is in discussion with the WJ Council of
Bishops about ongoing coordination needs for the entire region including the
Methodist conferences on the Mexican side of the border.
UMCOR has supported the Mexican Border
Ministry Network (16 sites) in the past
with grants for blankets, socks, and
medical supplies. The MBMN and the neighboring churches have been
providing hospitality for the persons who have been processed through Immigration
and then released to appear at a later date. The individuals
(sometimes with children) are being dropped at bus stations and mission centers
without notification to the regional groups or physical resources to
continue their journey. UMCOR will be
supporting these ministries through conference grants. A delivery of 18,000 health kits was recently
released in the areas of McAllen, Laredo, and Brownsville to help support the
hospitality needs of those arriving.
UMCOR has been in continuing conversation
with FEMA, ICE, DHS, HHS, and the White House Office for Faith-based
initiatives to get greater access and insights to the processing of arriving
immigrants to be able to provide needed services. UMCOR will continue to
support the faith groups in the area so that they are able to assist and offer
hospitality. At this time, the conferences are not asking for any outside
assistance or donations of supplies from outside their region. UMCOR will work
with them on the possibility of teams coming to assist to provide respite for
the local church hospitality teams who have been tireless in their work.
In the area of Unaccompanied Minors –
UMCOR – along with most faith organizations – are included in a conference call
each week with officials from FEMA, ICE, DHS, HHS, and the White House
Office for Faith-based initiatives.
Since their detention has been
declared a “national security issue” the only persons with access are Dept.
Homeland Security and ICE contractors. NO groups are being given
continual access for Spiritual and Emotional Care or visitation. There
has been limited access by our Episcopal leadership. UMCOR and the
Bishops are continuing to pressure our governmental agencies for access to
little or no avail.. but we continue to dialogue. The government has clearly
stated that the children held in detention facilities have no unmet needs and
are not accepting donations of supplies or funding towards their care.
