Oklahoma Tornado Response
The Missouri Conference is in touch with our brothers and sisters in the Oklahoma Conference to assess the ways we can help. Things you can do RIGHT NOW to assist are; pray for everyone affected/involved/responding, and donate to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). Remember 100% of your donation through UMCOR goes directly to this disaster response. And finally keep informed via the Missouri Conference Disaster Response newsletter "The Responder". To subscribe to "The Responder" contact Dan Steska at steska@umocm.com. Information on how to volunteer with your presence will be shared in the coming days/weeks. Please remember to be patient as search, rescue, and emergency responders do their work. Our prayer in the Missouri Conference is that we will be able to assist as needed in the future and that our volunteers will do no harm.
Mozambique Flood Relief
The flooding of the Limpopo River in southern Mozambique continues to affect hundreds of families. The Mozambique Initiative has reached out to communities separated from necessary resources to provide for those needs. February 7th Mozambique Initiative staff provided rice, instant porridge, corn flour, and cooking oil to 50 displaced families. Food was provided through the Missouri Conference/Mozambique Initiative pledge to raise $15,000 to provide food, clean water and other supplies to those surviving this disaster. For more information on how you can help visit http://www.mzinitiative.com/FLOOD_RELIEF__.php.
Flooding in Mozambique
Photo Credit: Anna Wallenlind Nuvunga/IRIN News (www.irinnews.org)
Last week the Limpopo River in southern Mozambique flooded displacing 150,000 people who fled their homes for camps at higher ground. Aid organizations are working to meet the overwhelming needs of these displaced Mozambicans. The Missouri Conference through the Mozambique Initiative plans to raise $15,000 to provide food, clean water and other supplies to at least 600 people. For more information on how you can help visit www.mzinitiative.com/FLOOD_RELIEF__.html.
Joplin Home Dedication
Pam Brannan Celebrates the completion of her Habitat for Humanity home. United Methodist Volunteers assisted with the building of this and several other Habitat Homes following the May 2011 tornado in Joplin, Missouri.
Hurricane Sandy
Photo Credit: ABC News (abcnews.go.com & MartinMMC/Twitter)
Rev. Tom Hazelwood, UMCOR Assistant General Secretary for US Disaster Response shares this information regarding United Methodist Response to Hurricane Sandy: "There will be a lot of needs as a result of this storm," which meteorologists have referred to as "near historic" in size. "There are many ways you can help, but the most important right now is by giving to UMCOR US Disaster Response, Advance #901670, which will also cover needs in the Caribbean region," he said. Be sure to choose "Hurricanes 2012" from the drop-down menu. For up-to-date Hurricane response information check the Creative Ministries site at www.umocm.com/disaster or contact our Disaster Response staff person, Dan Steska.
Welcome Dan Steska!
Creative Ministries welcomes a new Disaster Response Coordinator, Dan Steska. Dan will coordinate Disaster Response efforts for the Missouri Conference so for more information on his ministry and how you can help please contact steska@umocm.com.
Personal Preparedness Kit
This week the Office of Creative Ministries staff participated in the "Great Central U.S. Shakeout", an exercise in disaster preparedness. In order to be ready for a disaster we encourage you to put together a personal preparedness kit for your home. For more information and a suggested list for this kit visit http://health.mo.gov/emergencies/readyin3/.