ERT TEAM FROM CAL PAC TO OKLAHOMA
An Early Response Team (ERT) from Southern California left a week ago to go and serve in Oklahoma and surrounding areas until June 28th. In addition to their team they also had a trailor of tools and other items that will aid in their service! The team is led by Doug and Judy Lewis of Ontario First UMC in Ontario, CA. To hear about their experience serving as ERT short-term volunteers please email them at dfjklewis@aol.com. Or call them at 909-621-9076. If you are interested in serving in Oklahoma please contact Doug and Judy Lewis for contact information and details.
Volunteers Needed for Team to Uruguay
September 28-October 6. The team will be focusing on the Friendship House and Church in Montevideo. This is a special needs school for teens and older adults. They will be painting, installing tile on the floors and ceiling and other work around the school and church. If you would like more information, please contact Rev. Dara Austin atfaithworks2035@whiteschapelumc.com.
STRONG MISSIONS LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER TEAMS
Strong Missions, an Advance with the UMC and listed on the UMVIM project listing, still has plenty of room for individuals and teams this year-especially in the fall and early winter months, as well into next year. We really need help to complete the project list for this year. We're working in two churches building space to feed and educate children. Also, for those with a green thumb, you'll have the opportunity to dig your hands into some of the most fertile soil in the world. We need help preparing the new garden that will directly provide food for the children's feeding programs, and you'll also be able to visit such programs during your trip with us. There are also some home improvement jobs to get to if we have enough teams sign up. We need you! We hope to see you, and serve at your side. For more information please contact Rebecca Rusnack at freiburgerose@hotmail.com.
UMCOR RESPONDS TO FLOODS AND FIRES IN COLORADO, TEXAS, AND MEXICO
UMCOR is providing the Rocky Mountain Annual Conference with emergency assistance to respond to the Black Forest Fire which charred hundreds of homes and acreage. Rocky Mountain will use funding to work with families affected by the fires near Colorado Springs.
The Black Forest Fire, just recently contained, blazed through 16,000 acres, destroyed nearly 500 homes and claimed two lives, according to news reports. UMCOR’s US Disaster Response Executive, Gregg Forrester is in communication with Gary Haddock, disaster relief coordinator for the Rocky Mountain Conference, to assess future needs and support.
UMCOR is also responding to recent flooding in Texas with two emergency grants to the Southwest Texas Annual Conference. The grants will aid affected communities in the San Antonio area and residents affected by flooding in Eagle Pass.
In San Antonio, floodwaters deluged numerous roads, killed two women, and forced more than 235 rescues by emergency workers. Nearly 10 inches of rainfall was reported in a matter of hours by the city airport.
Piedras Negras, Mexico, a border town located three hours west of San Antonio, also was affected by flooding. UMCOR is in talks with Bishop Raul García, Eastern Conference of the Methodist Church of Mexico, to secure assistance there.
Your gifts to US Disaster Response, Advance #901670 can aid fire and flood survivors in their recovery, and help UMCOR to respond to needs as they occur.
Photo: Cleaning buckets, by Mike Dubose of UMNS.
PASSING OF MADAME DEPESTRE
UMCOR extends its deepest condolences to families and loved ones of Madame Anne Ruth Depestre, who passed away on Friday, June 21. Madame Depestre was the manager of the Methodist Guesthouse in Petionville, Haiti, and wife of Rev. Marco Depestre of the Methodist Church in Haiti (Eglise Méthodiste d'Haïti). The Rev. Jim Gulley, UMCOR consultant, is attending Madame Depestre’s memorial service in Haiti this week on behalf of UMCOR and Global Ministries.
As manager of the Methodist guesthouse, Madame Depestre was central in facilitating arriving volunteer groups or visiting staff who were coordinating or implementing recovery efforts in Haiti after the January 2010 earthquake. You are welcome to sign the United Methodist Volunteers in Mission online guest book to share your condolences.
Photo: Madame Depestre from website www.umvimhaiti.org.
LONG TERM RECOVERY BASICS TRAINING
On July 9-10, at 2 p.m. EST, the Emergency Response Specialists of Church World Service will present Long Term Recovery Basics. This series will cover a wide range of topics designed to help you and your community rebuild and recover after a disaster. This presentation is in response to requests from those who have been affected by recent summer storms.
Each webinar session will be approximately 75 minutes long, with a 15-minute break between sessions.
Register for the series by clicking here:
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/744781514
The sessions are:
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
2:00-3:45 pm Part 1
4:00-5:30 pm Part 2
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
2:00-3:45 pm Part 3
4:00-5:30 pm Part 4
Among those who will find this series of interest are:
- Clergy and lay leaders from houses of worship in disaster affected communities.
- Persons serving on local Long Term Recovery Groups.
- Disaster Case Managers and the staff of organizations who may provide disaster case management.
- Local, state, and federal Voluntary Agency Liaisons.
- Emergency Managers.
- Anyone concerned for those affected by recent disasters.
- Anyone planning to mitigate the hazards in their community before a disaster strikes.
Best,
Kuulei
Ku'ulei Funn
Emergency Response Specialist
Church World Service
808-226-6432
Honolulu, Hawai'i
kfunn@churchworldservice.org
visit www.churchworldservice.org
JOB OPENING WITH UMCOR NEW YORK OFFICE
UMCOR is seeking a program manager to be based in its New York City headquarters. This professional would guide and oversee UMCOR field offices in their program development, monitoring and reporting of activities, strategic development, and exit/transition planning.
Please visit UMCOR’s Careers page on our website for more details.
