wfn.org | Methodists Form Flood-Relief Project

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS 97" by SUSAN PEEK on April 15, 1997 at 14:24
Eastern, about DAILY NEWS RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (525
notes).

Note 519 by UMNS on Dec. 22, 1997 at 15:26 Eastern (2260 characters).

CONTACT: Linda Bloom				707(10-21-71B){519}
	    New York (212) 870-3803	Dec. 22, 1997

NOTE: This is a sidebar to story #706.
 
United Methodists create recovery agency
to assist with Upper Midwest flood relief

				by United Methodist News Service

	United Methodists in the Upper Midwest have found innovative ways to
coordinate their flood recovery efforts.
	They have created the Upper Midwest Recovery Project under the guidance of
Bishop John Hopkins, Minnesota area, and Bishop Michael Coyner, Dakotas area.
It essentially has become a free-standing agency, according to Nina Martin,
project coordinator.
	A new warehouse for flood recovery supplies also was built in Fargo, N.D.,
and had its grand opening in November. Initially, supplies had gone to a
warehouse in Minneapolis, outside the flood area.
     The Dakotas Conference had some money and "very forward-looking
trustees," who decided to build the facility because no other space was
available, said Gordon Knuckey, chief of field operations and training for the
United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). The building will be sold after
the project closes.
	In an area that is only 6 percent United Methodist, cooperation with the
dominant Lutheran Church was essential, Knuckey said.
     "Really, to make this work, the Lutherans needed to be on board," he
added. "They came on very willingly and in a tremendous spirit of
cooperation."
	The major services of the Upper Midwest Recovery Project involve providing
structural technical consultation; coordinating volunteer work; supplying
materials for rebuilding; providing case management; fostering child care
projects; and offering pastoral care and counseling.
	Funding is provided by the two conferences, using budget money and donations,
and through UMCOR grants.
	Special projects have included:
	* distributing more than 1,000 school bags in August.
	* contacting 505 United Methodist households in Grand Fork, N.D., on Oct. 25
through "Operation: We Care."
	* distributing about 400 family Christmas boxes, with lights, ornaments and
other decorations.
	* establishing, through the Rev. Chuck Purdham, a network of 20 pastors to
fill in on a Sunday or assist another pastor.
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