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United Methodists help Hurricane Katrina refugees

Aug. 31, 2005

NOTE: Photographs and related coverage are available at
http://umns.umc.org.

A UMNS Report
By Ciona Rouse*

United Methodists found opportunities to be in ministry with hurricane
evacuees before volunteer teams were allowed to enter communities torn
by Hurricane Katrina's fierce winds.

Volunteers were asked to stay away from areas affected by the hurricane
until the completion of all rescue and assessment, but displaced
residents of Louisiana and Mississippi found shelter and community with
United Methodists.

Bishop Robert E. Hayes of the United Methodist Church's Oklahoma Area
joined First United Methodist Church of Marshall, Texas, as members
welcomed evacuees of New Orleans into shelter at the Marshall Civic
Center.

The bishop said seeing United Methodists working together in response to
the refugees was one of his "proudest moments."

Hayes was preaching a revival at First Church when the congregation
received news about the shelter opening for evacuees. The church
immediately responded to whatever needs the shelter had, providing
towels, food, water bottles and human assistance.

After meeting and praying with people in the shelter, Hayes sent a
letter to his annual conferences encouraging their active participation
in relief efforts.

"We know from Oklahoma what disaster's all about," he said, referring to
tornadoes and a bombing that have affected his state. "When we've
experienced disaster, the church - the United Methodist Church - has
been there, and we intend to be there for the people of Louisiana,
Mississippi and Alabama. That's the connection at its finest!"

Mark Smith, a volunteer at the shelter and First Church member, has
spent each day at the shelter since it opened.

"The longer people are there, you can tell they're anxious. They're
nervous. They're scared," he said. "Some of them walk around in a state
of shock. It reminds you of a hospital waiting room because everyone's
glued to the television and uncertain of the future."

Smith, who is experienced in grief counseling, believed it most
important to be a listener as he worked with the evacuees. Several
times, he witnessed people responding to the television newscasts.

"They're seeing their street signs and the water's up to the street
sign, and they're saying, 'My God! I don't have a house!'" he said.

In Memphis, Tenn., a ministry known as Service Over Self opened its door
with free housing and meals for hurricane refugees.

"SOS has taken on a new venture today - short-term disaster relief,"
said SOS Director Eric Basye in an e-mail to donors. "As a response to
this natural disaster, SOS has opened up our doors to house families who
are in need, free of charge. ... This raises some logistical issues that
we are yet to figure out, but we know this is right, it is what we are
supposed to do and that it will all work out in the end."

Members of Christ United Methodist Church in Memphis-which launched SOS-
as well as Germantown United Methodist Church and other area
congregations responded to the call.

As of noon Aug. 31, the SOS building was near capacity with about 100
refugees.

A sign on Christ Church's front lawn reads, "Help Katrina Victims Here
in Memphis: log on to cumcmemphis.org/Katrina." This page on the church
Web site includes the list of needed items for SOS and details on how to
make donations to the church's efforts and to the United Methodist
Committee on Relief.

UMCOR's disaster response is a three-stage process. The emergency stage
is expected to last up to 10 days. That's followed by the relief phase,
in which the agency helps homeowners who need to "muck out," assess
damage, receive emotional and spiritual care, and begin the long road to
recovery.

The third phase, long-term recovery, includes taking a holistic approach
to people who have suffered losses. It entails seeking them out in their
neighborhoods and providing information and advocacy about their federal
and state assistance rights. In coordination with other religious and
community service agencies, UMCOR participates in repairing and
rebuilding homes and providing assistance with living expenses.

"This is an anxious time for all of us because we are awaiting word from
those we care about," said UMCOR executive Kristin Sachen. "But we wait
with hope in our hearts and with our hands and minds engaged in
preparation for the right time for us to act on the scene."

UMCOR is committed to the most vulnerable people affected by the
hurricane, including those yet to be visited by what is now Tropical
Storm Katrina. "We will bring our years or experience, our capable
volunteers and our creativity to the rebuilding of these communities,"
Sachen said.

The Board of Global Ministries, UMCOR's parent agency, also has received
information on several United Methodist facilities in the Gulf Coast
area, as of midday Aug. 31:

"	The Dumas Wesley Community Center and its Cybil Smith Family
Village in Mobile, Ala., reportedly sustained minor damage to the roof
and siding, and trees were also damaged. It also had no power, according
to Director Claire Ester.

"	The Wesley Community Center in Meridian, Miss., suffered severe
flooding, partly caused by a tree crashing into the side of the
building, according to Director Nell Grisson. Skylights were blown out,
and she feared that computers and equipment in a clinic might have been
destroyed. There was no electrical power.

"	The staff, children and facilities of the MacDonnell Child Care
Services in Houma, La., were all right.
"	The Bethlehem Center in Jackson, Miss., was without power.
"	Waveland, Miss., home to historic Gulfside Assembly, was hit
hard by the hurricane. On-sight inspection of Gulfside Assembly has not
been possible, but Director Marian Moore was safe in Hattiesburg, Miss.
ABC News reported widespread destruction of property in and around the
town of Waveland.

Also, students at United Methodist-related Dillard University in New
Orleans were evacuated to another church-related school, Centenary
College in Shreveport, La., or received shelter at local churches.

To volunteer or to donate online to UMCOR's relief efforts, visit
http://methodistrelief.org.

Besides the Web site, donations to UMCOR's relief efforts can be made
through local churches or sent directly to UMCOR, 475 Riverside Drive,
Room 330, New York, NY 10015. Designate checks to UMCOR for Advance No.
982523 and "Hurricanes 2005 Global." Credit-card donations may be made
by calling (800) 554-8583.

*Rouse is a freelance writer based in Nashville, Tenn. Deborah White,
associate editor of Interpreter magazine, contributed to this report.

News media contact: Tim Tanton, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or
newsdesk@umcom.org.

********************

United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org

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