The Servant's Journey 

Holy Week 2017 Issue

Report from Cuba

From March 3-12, four young adults from the Batlimore-Washington, Greater New Jersey, Upper New York, and West Virginia Annual Conferences journeyed to Havana, Cuba as part of their hands-on UMVIM Team Leader Training.  They partnered with Cuban Methodists, preached, prayed, led children and youth ministries, spent time with Cuban seminarians, experienced Cuban hospitality and culture, and aided in the construction of new faculty housing for the seminary.  Congratulations to Angela Flanagan, Samantha Lunn, Ellen McGaugh, and Emilee Hrtyanski - the next generation of Team Leaders from the NEJ!

Check out the video below for the flavor of the experience.  Applications for the 2018 Young Adult Mission Discovery Journey should be available next month.  Stay tuned!

Active Shooter Guide Available from FEMA

From Cathy Earl at UMCOR:

"UMCOR has received an increasing number of requests for training to prepare for an “active shooter” incident.  UMCOR defers to emergency response professionals for such training, so you may want to invite local law enforcement to provide expertise on the matter – perhaps in context of a Connecting Neighbors training!

 While UMCOR is not endorsing any single training on the subject, one such opportunity is FEMA’s free on-line training:IS-907 - Active Shooter: What You Can Do.

You will need to register with FEMA’s EMI (Emergency Management Institute) https://training.fema.gov/emi.aspx to take the course, if interested.

We recognize there will always be the need to address the emotional, spiritual and social crises that accompany incidents involving violence. Thankfully, there are many clergy and laity, professionals and paraprofessionals, and others who are prepared to attend to these crises of individuals and communities in the aftermath of such tragedy.

UMCOR will continue to  identify ways to support the people of the United Methodist Church to respond in these circumstances with a ministry of care that seeks to alleviate suffering and bring hope and healing."

U.S. Disaster Response Update

--In the Northeast

The long-term recovery effort is well underway.  UMCOR recently released a $500,000 grant for WV to assist in disaster case management, construction coordination, supplies and materials.  The goal is to help at least 120 families in the next two years.  Go to 
http://wvumc.org/About/Ministries/Disaster-Response for all the information you need to donate or volunteer.

A Future With Hope is still working with a $750,000 grant from UMCOR to continue recovery from the 2012 Hurricane Sandy.  There are many homes in Atlantic County that are still in need of volunteer teams.  In many cases these are people who were swindled by contractors in the immediate aftermath of the storm and have now recovered their funds.  The more teams, the further the grant money stretches and the more families we can help!  Register here or join one of our existing teams.

The Connellsville Flood Recovery Center still has 109 active cases that they are working with in the aftermath of flooding in late August last year. Many of those homes will need volunteer assistance to do repair and rebuild work as spring approaches. Housing and hospitality for teams wishing to serve for multiple days up to one week is available though one day teams have been the most common practice. Some teams, such one from Latrobe UMC, serve once a month! Volunteers can register online at https://connellsvillevolunteers.org/2016/09/08/how-to-volunteer/ or email volunteer@wpaumc.org. We expect to be scheduling volunteers throughout spring and summer 2017. 

--Outside the Jurisdiction

North Carolina:  Find current information about the disaster recovery from Hurricane Matthew in the North Carolina Conference here: https://nccumc.org/news/tag/hurricane-matthew/

South Carolina: If you are a team leader and would like to register your team with the United Methodist Church Disaster Recovery to assist with the rebuilding of homes and churches please contact screcovery@umcsc.org or 803-888-3051.

Louisiana is recovering from two recent flooding events in different parts of the state.  To send a team, visit www.la-umc.org.

Central Texas: We are looking for groups from High School age (with adult supervision) to adults.  We have 36 homes in total in are in need of work in Hood County(Granbury, TX).  The work varies from putting in sheetrock and insulation, laying flooring, painting and more.   If you don’t know how you can have on the job training.  Please, we are looking for groups of 3 or more to work.  If you are interested in helping please contact our Volunteer Coordinator/Case Manager Katheryn Meroney through the email and give her your contact information and choice of dates to work.  From there she will send you forms to fill out for skill sets, and medical and liability release.  The construction person will be in contact with you about types of work.  If you know of groups who wish to stay overnight to work accommodations will be made for this also.  The contact information is kathrynmeroney@gmail.com Corsicana has 76 homes to be worked on with the same type of work and they will be ready for teams starting March 1st.    Please contact Agustin Soto at floodrelief.navrroco@gmail.com  Both locations have the local Methodist church to stay in with showers and a kitchen for your accommodations.  All of that will be arranged through your volunteer coordinator.

      Virginia:  The Virginia Conference is requesting trained Early Response Teams to respond to flooding in the Hampton Roads area. Team members must have completed ERT training and have a current badge.  To schedule your team, please contact Michele Michaelian, Conference ERT Coordinator, via email at   mlskcs@aol.com.

Southeast Arkansas:  is seeking teams to help with repairs needed as a result of the March 2016 floods.  The damage incurred is a result of the same storms that devastated areas of Texas and Louisiana.  Organization of Long Term Recovery was delayed for various reasons but is now in place and operational.  Projects are identified and funding secured but volunteer help is little to none.  When considering mission opportunities, please consider our neighbors in Southeast Arkansas.  Several priority cases are waiting.  To volunteer contact Ron Jones, Site Volunteer Coordinator, at woodrat3@live.com or Janice Mann, Disaster Response Coordinator, at disaster@arumc.org.

Mississippi: Hattiesburg, MS and Petal, MS were severely impacted by tornadoes the weekend of January 21, 2017.   Long-term recovery teams are now needed.   Housing and meals are available at the Volunteer house. Housing at the volunteer house is $25 per night.  Other accomodations can be arranged.  Meals are flexible.  You can bring you own cook and food if preferred.

Work needs include : carpentry, drywall removal , general helpers and more. Please contact Chris Adams at adams.chris.73@gmail.com ; 601  818-5899

Each issue of The Servant's Journey will be archived at http://umvimnej.org/news_events/newsletters.html.  Go back and see what you missed!