United Methodist youth raise $830,000 for the hungry

A UMNS Report

By Linda Green*

United Methodist youth teamed up on Super Bowl Sunday with young people across the United States to raise more than $9 million in goods and dollars to fight hunger and poverty in their local communities through the 2008 Souper Bowl of Caring.

More than 13,600 churches, schools and businesses participated in this year's campaign, including about 2,200 United Methodist congregations and about 25,000 United Methodist youth, said Caroline Stephens, director of church relations for the nonprofit Souper Bowl organization.

United Methodist collections total approximately $830,000 thus far this year.

"We are excited about the extraordinary participation among United Methodist congregations in the 2008 Souper Bowl of Caring. More United Methodist churches registered to participate than ever before," Stephens said.

In 2007, more than 2,700 United Methodist churches participated, raising nearly $975,000 in goods and dollars.

Groups have been reporting their collection totals to the campaign's home office in Columbia, S.C., since Super Bowl Sunday on Feb. 3.

"We hope churches that have not yet reported … will do so, so that we can accurately measure the impact (that United Methodist) congregations had on the fight against hunger in the days surrounding Super Bowl Sunday," Stephens said.

The Souper Bowl of Caring is designed to transform the weekend of the NFL football championship game into the nation's largest youth-led weekend of giving and serving.

Since the campaign's launch in 1990, young people have raised more than $41 million for soup kitchens, food banks and other charities in communities across the world. During or following worship on game day, youth and young adults in all 50 U.S. states stand at the doors of their churches, collecting $1 or a can of food from each person walking by.

"We view it as an opportunity to help educate the congregation and kids on how many blessings that we each have," said Amanda Ferguson, youth leader at Central United Methodist Church in Phoenix, which collected $350 for this year's Souper Bowl. The group also participates "to recognize others in need and to share their blessings with them."

The youth of Grant Memorial United Methodist Church, Presque Isle, Maine, participates because "it makes a very good connection with the kids," said the Rev. David Williams. "The whole sports and hunger thing is something they can really relate to, and our kids are very into missions and mission work. It is just a natural connection. They get excited about it and get the congregation excited." This year, the group raised more than $500.

At Seay-Hubbard United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tenn., the youth raised $300 for local and worldwide mission. "Our youth have participated in the Souper Bowl of Caring for the past three years because engaging in this activity provides an opportunity to help people immediately," said Helen Allen, youth group leader.

In talking with people about hunger, Allen said, the youth have been surprised at the number of people who do not have food and the impact of hunger on people that they know. "It gives them a connection," she said.

The United Methodist Committee on Relief encourages churches and youth groups that have not yet designated a charity for their Souper Bowl collection to direct part of their gift to the World Hunger/Poverty program, UMCOR Advance #982920.

To report Souper Bowl collections, visit http://www.soupbowl.org/ or call (800) 358-SOUP (3687).

*Green is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in Nashville, Tenn.

Info Needed on ALL Affected Communities

While we have an abundance of information on some of the harder hit counties, we DESPERATELY need to know about needs that may exist in some of the less affected communities. If local churches and/or communities have needs that are not being met or if there are some larger, longer term needs that are determined, PLEASE contact
us so we can help with funds, volunteers, and training/advice. While we will be training case managers to work with some of the harder hit areas, we will also make some training/and or case managers available to any community. JBrock@tnumc.org, 615-329-1177

Celebrating Ministry

Loretto UMC was able to clear trees/debris for a person in Centerville (Hickman Co.) this weekend.

Green's Chapel UMC, along other churches on its circuit, provided food, clothing, and other aid to several isolated communities in Williamson Co. when no one else responded.

Lafayette UMC hosted the first organizing meeting for the community to begin planning for long term recovery. Similiar meeting are being held this week in Williamson and Sumner counties, with our disaster personnel providing leadership in developing these efforts.

Volunteer Coordinator Contacts

Here is the latest contact info I have for anyone/any group wanting to offer volunteers.

Macon County – Don Stevens, 615-666-9371.
Sumner County – Gallatin Chamber of Commerce, 615-452-4000.
Madison County
Union University – Campus Security, 731-394-2922.
Rest of Jackson – Northside Lions Club, 731-424-2529.
Hardin County – County EOC, 731-925-6178.
Williamson County- Bonnie, 615-799-2575 or 615-662-842

Donated Items Available to ALL Affected Communities

Abundant donated goods have packed many distribution sites, but if you know of needed items in your local community, let us know, so we can request those items from a large stock of items at the multi-agency site in Portland. Any community affected by the storms can draw from these supplies, but need to be put on the official list first. JBrock@tnumc.org, 615-329-1177

Retired teacher inspires supply shipment to Zimbabwe

By Heidi Robinson*

Francie Markham and high school student Jeremy Wilson unload a box of school supplies bound for a United Methodist-supported high school in Old Mutare, Zimbabwe. UMNS photos by Heidi Robinson.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (UMNS)--Like the curtain on opening night, the warehouse door slides back to reveal an eye-popping scene.

Inside the 2,000-square-foot building are furniture, computer equipment and school supplies stacked six to eight feet high. Boxes of seeds, hospital beds and crates of textbooks sit on wood slats ready to empower a small community in famine-stricken Zimbabwe.

All of the supplies were donated by churches, businesses, schools and families across South Carolina to provide hope for families living on the other side of the world.

Retired high school teacher Francie Markham inspired the project with stories of her mission trips to Old Mutare Mission Center, a United Methodist-supported mission that includes two schools, a hospital, a children's home and church.

During her four trips that begin in 2001, Markham noticed that students at the mission's Hartzell High School approach learning with enthusiasm, but often without textbooks--or lunch. Her last trip in 2006 enabled her to take inventory of the school's specific needs.

The needs reflect the larger problem in an African nation where electricity is available for only about two hours a day and store shelves are barren of many food staples.

"These students are living in a country that is collapsing," said Markham, 55, a member of Trenholm Road United Methodist Church in Columbia. "This project is about dignity for every student. Every student of any school anywhere in the world should have dignity in his or her quest for knowledge."

Blood, sweat and tears
A self-proclaimed "scavenger," Markham began "a year of blood, sweat and tears"--gathering items from anywhere and everywhere that could be shared with Hartzell's 900 students.

She arranged for three large truckloads to be hauled to the storage warehouse from Dreher High School before the Columbia school was torn down and replaced with a new building. "We got everything from bookcases and pencil sharpeners to outdated textbooks. We pulled blackboards off the wall," said Markham, who spent her 28-year career teaching English at the school.

Many other individuals and groups contributed as well. Monetary donations from United Methodist churches and other groups went toward the $11,000 in overseas shipping costs.

"I'm a very persuasive beggar," said Markham. "Some of our excess will become someone else's treasure. That's such a sweet thing. It means we are recycling ourselves."

She also was moved by the phone calls from strangers offering assistance and expertise. "The Holy Spirit works in amazing ways," she said. "There were so many workings going on, and they were not happenstance."

Packing day
The logistics of getting the goods to Zimbabwe was daunting. They had to be packed to travel almost 9,000 miles and then loaded into a 40-foot-long cargo container for shipment. The packing job required manpower, and the shipping job required money.

Early one Thursday morning during the packing process, Markham was alone to survey the project. "I need an army to help pack all this," she sighed.

Soon, three vans filled with high school seniors from Midland Middle College in Columbia arrived to help and, in the process, received an unconventional lesson in global studies.

"Each box you pack here today will result in an improved life in Africa," Markham told the seniors. "Students in Africa will have textbooks because of your work here. Teachers will have chalk so they have the freedom to teach. Families will have a crop of beans because of your time here. You are needed on this site."

Breaking into teams, the students began to wrap furniture, pack textbooks and sort seed packets. "Wow! Look at all this stuff," exclaimed Samantha Shumpert.

"I had no idea how hard it is for those students just to go to school," said D'Aundra Tyler as she loaded boxes of chalk. "The things I take for granted, like water and power … they don't have."

Markham moved from team to team to offer encouragement. "We have to dream for this community. We can't just leave them there, and say 'Oh, well sorry you don't have any electricity.' We have to dream for them while we are here."

Within a couple of hours, boxes were labeled and taped, and three pallets stacked high. At the end of a school day, the army of students has packed enough boxes to fill at least one cargo container for shipment.

As the tired students walked toward their vans, several offered to come back if Markham needed more help.

"Today, they got it," she said while watching them drive away. "This is about something bigger than any one of them. They just know that there is a reason they feel good doing this, and God is that reason. They helped work a miracle today."

Though the container left Columbia on Nov. 17, it isn't expected to arrive until early March due to a rail strike in Mozambique. Markham plans to return to Zimbabwe with a Volunteers-in-Mission team in April or May to follow up on the project and also to conduct similar needs inventories for two rural schools, Clair High School and Nyakasapa High School. Those schools will be the recipients of the next container project.

*Robinson is a freelance producer based in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Feb. 20, Update

Currently, we are responding to cleanup needs as requests come from local churches and county volunteer coordination. Several conference, district, and local church representatives are working with affected communities, TEMA, and FEMA to bring together community leaders to begin planning for long term recovery.

Donations Requested, Deliver by Tuesday

Latest requests for the Tornado Survivors, to be delivered to Portland. These items should be delivered by Tuesday, as needs change rapidly. Note than used clothes and furniture will not be accepted.

Resource Staging Center (RSC) located at. 128 Distribution Pkwy Portland, TN 37148-4664 in order to assist the counties and the victims they serve. You can call either 1 800-422-3443 or from Middle Tennessee 615-323-8558

Pease make a note that the RSC is not set up to take any used clothes or furniture at this location. The RSC is not a client-based warehouse but is a staging center for supplies that will be shipped or picked up by the affected counties. Here is a list of the items currently needed. However this will change as we ramp up for the newly declared counties and as we work our way through this disaster.

Small Kitchen Appliances: Can openers, Coffeemakers, Toasters, Toaster ovens, Crock pot, Microwave

Other Kitchen supplies:Cutting boardsUtensils (dippers, paring knives gravy whisks, etc) ACS/DR recommends holding a "house-warming" of sorts, and brings all the items usually supplied for that.

Also needed are:Brooms, mops, dustpans, paper ware (top, paper towels, napkins), plastic ware, dinnerware, silverware, heavy-duty garbage bags, small fiber barrels, buckets (5&3 gallon).

Linens and other bedding, including pillows, comforters, blankets

NEW ONLY: underwear and disposal baby diapers, socks for men, women and children, coats. Again I must repeat that this facility does not accept any used clothing or furniture

Tools: shovels, rakes, hammers, pry bars

Volunteers in the Field Today

We have one Early Response Team (ERT) clearing debris/cutting trees in Williamson and/or Hickman Co., one ERT in Macon, and at least one other church group working in Macon.

If your group has worked/is working anywhere in the confernce clearing debris and/or cutting trees, please send your contact information to JBrock@tnumc.org so we can have groups to call on to respond to individual requests as time goes on. We'll also be inviting groups that have not had ERT training to future sessions so they can be better equipped for the work.

Many of the other Early Response organizations are wrapping up their work this weekend and will be passing the work over to local communities and to partners like us.

Update for February 15th -- and cleanup crews are definitely needed on Saturday, February 16th

On Saturday, February 16th, Macon County needs as many teams and individuals as possible to do clean up:

Needed are:
+General clean up crews or Individuals
+Chain saw crews

All volunteers are to show up by 8:00 a.m. at the Macon County Junior High School, 1003 HIghway 52 Bypass, Lafayette, Tennessee.

We are currently working with FEMA, TEMA, local governments, and local churches to set up for the long term needs of affected communities. As you may have read in the Tennessean, the TN Southern Baptist convention has 10,000 trained volunteers, most of whom are dedicated solely to feeding and chainsaw/debris work in the early weeks of disaster. We depend on them to lead in that work, just as communities depend on us to help organize long term recovery, provide case management, and send hundreds and thousands of volunteers to do the rebuilding.

We all do a little bit of everything, but over time we've had to divide the labor because none of us are big enough to do it all, and do it well. It's not a competition, it's cooperation in the Spirit, that God's will might be done on Earth, as it is in Heaven.

Feb. 14 Update, donated items

Currently, no church or agency is requesting additional donated items. The response to needs has been overwhelming. If your church has collected a large number of items, please take them the the Resource Distribution Center mentioned below. If a person or church has a few items, please get them to Bethpage UMC so they can include them in their shipment.

Update, Feb. 13, 4 pm

Reports from the field indicate most of the immediate cleanup has been done in most counties and that there are currently enough groups in the field to handle the current need. However, there may be more requests as insurance and FEMA inspections are completed.

As we recieve requests, we will contact those who have made such generious offers to provide aid. As we move towards long term recovery, we will look at opportunities to do rebuilding.

Conference personnel have been in periodic contact with affected districts and churches over the past week. At Lafayette UMC's request we will be meeting with their Board to work out how we can best partner in the community for recovery.

If your church knows of persons affected by tornadoes, especially in some of the counties with fewer homes affected, please let us know if we can be of assistance.

Resource Distribution Center NOW OPEN

(Not for individual dropoff, only larger collections)

Currently, no agency or church has a request for any items. The response to needs has been enormous.

128 Distribution Parkway, Portland, TN (exit 117 on I-65, Route 52), 615-323-1741.

Most collection and distribution locations, especially in Macon Co., have supplies stacked to the ceiling for now. While these items and those still on their way will be needed in the weeks and months to come, many cannot recieve more items at this time.

In cooperation with us and various other responding agencies, a Resource Distribution Center will be opened by the Adventist in Portland to recieve and sort donations. They will not be accepting clothes, as every agency has more than they can handle at the moment.

The donated items will be available for agenices/churches in all affected counties and communities to respond to needs survivors have over the coming months.

Out of Conference Teams

Update: Feb. 12, 4 pm (at this time we are not requesting aid, but if you send your information on as noted below, we'll contact you if needed.)

We're glad to have such great neighbors who want to help! However, we need teams to contact their Conference Disaster Response Coordinator with information on their training, equipment, and any housing needs. They will get the information to to right person and if we need you, we will contact you.

TN Conference Volunteer Team Information

(TN Conference Churches Only)

Sumner and Macon Counties have set up coordination of volunteers to aid in a variety of tasks. We have persons checking to see what current needs exist.

If your Team Leader and some members have had Early Response Training, please contact Jason Brock at JBrock@tnumc.org with information on the types of jobs you can do, what equipment you have, and whether you will need housing. He will put you in touch with someone who will work to try and get you connected over the next couple of weeks.

If you have a group with skills and equipment, but have not had training, please send me your infomation. If we are able to use you this time we will, but if not we would like to be able to set up training for future needs.

FEMA Assistance

FEMA has added 8 additional counties to their declaration: Benton, Hickman, Houston, Lewis, Montgomery, Perry, Trousdale and Williamson. Persons affected by tornadoes will recieve assistance based on their damage, insurance coverage, and financial ability to recover.

In addition, due to very few rental properties being available in Macon Co., FEMA is moving forward with providing FEMA trailers to be place on private property.

Volunteer Update, revised 2/12

Williamson Co. reports most cleanup finished, but in need of skilled chainsaw workers with heavy equipment to move and transport very large trees. Call the county coordination at 615-417-4090 for more information and to receive directions to the work site.

The Gallatin Chamber of Commerce is the clearinghouse for individuals or groups that wish to volunteer in Sumner County. The Chamber is open for registration and dispatching at 8:30 am.

Gallatin Area Chamber of Commerce
118 West Main Street
Gallatin, Tennessee 37066
(615) 452-4000

Macon County is almost ready for volunteer teams, depending on their skill, to expand the county cleanup. We have informed them of the groups we have available and we will be contacted as we are needed.

Cleanup continues in Hickman, Hardin, and other counties, but we have no updates at this time.

Relief and Recovery Transition

The Red Cross has contacted us about working with other volunteer agencies and local community to set up the coordination of relief services and begin planning for the transition to long term recovery. (Macon, Sumner, Trousdale).

Methodist Collection Locations

Hillcrest UMC in Nashville has been coordinating with Bethpage and the TEMA distribution site in providing needed supplies and reducing trafffic in the affected areas. See information in post below on CURRENT items requested by Bethpage. Next shipment schduled MIDWEEK.

The need will likely be something different by the end of the week, so please only collect items that can be delivered in the next couple of days. Grants have been made available to the Pulaski and Cumberland District, as well as, several churches to purchase additional items that are needed.

Contact Hillcrest at (615) 832-0157

Kedron UMC in Smyrna is also collecting items, (615) 893-9468

Community Information on Help Available and Ways to Help

W have been in touch this morning with TEMA and several of the community command centers. Access is still very limited for outside volunteers. We have a large number of churches/teams from our conference and many other from the eastern half of United States who have offered aid. We are on several "we'll call if you need you" lists and will continue to check for the latest information.

Below is a link to general information on where survivors can get help or contact numbers of where to check for latest infomation on ways to help.

http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080211/NEWS15/802110339

Bethpage Collections

Tommy Flood from Bethpage UMC reports the following Tornado Response Needs in effect for the next 3-5 days:

Blankets, towels, hygene items, cleaning fluids (chlorox, etc.)

Baby items: food, diapers

Food: canned goods, meats, spam, chicken, tuna, etc.

BETHPAGE UMC IS THE DROP OFF POINT (615) 841-3761. They are helping Lafayette keep traffic down by collecting and bringing in sorted loads as needed.

Volunteers are needed to work...loading, unloading, sorting and delivering.

Welch Family Celebration of Life, Service and Visitation

Rev. Michael Welch Family - Celebration of Life Service and Visitation

A Celebration of Life Service will be held in memory of The Rev. Michael Welch Family at the Lafayette First United Methodist Church on Tuesday, February 12 at 10 a.m.

A visitation will be held on Monday, February 11 at Lafayette First United Methodist Church from 5-8:00 p.m.

Welch Family Donation Information

Lafayette United Methodist Church

Information regarding the death of the Reverend Michael Welch and family: wife Julie, children Hannah and Jessie.

Cash donations and donations in lieu of flowers may be made to:

Welch Family Disaster Relief Fund
Citizens Bank
P.O. Box 100
Lafayette, Tennessee 37083
Phone: 615-666-2195

Welch Family Disaster Relief Fund
Macon Bank & Trust
P.O. Box 10
Lafayette, Tennessee 37083
Phone: 615-666-2121

Donations for the survivors of the Welch family may be made to:
Welch Memorial Fund
Lafayette United Methodist Church
Reba Bellar, Treasurer
P.O. Box 122
Lafayette, Tennessee 37083
Phone: 615-666-3497

Map of Storm Tracks

National Weather Service map of storm tracks

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/ohx/surveys/images/020508/poststorm_020508.php

Volunteer Contacts

Many of the hardest hit areas have very limited access, accepting only those who are trained, equiped, and qualified to cut trees/remove debris safely and without jeoperdizing survivors' insurance or FEMA assistance. Below are the contact numbers presently for teams or individuals to find out the current need or qualifications required to help.

Macon Co.--615-666-2324 or 615-666-9364
Sumner Co.--615-452-7584 (EMA) and 625-452-4000 (Chamber of Commerce)
Davidson Co.--to help other counties 298-1108, ext. 112, or go to the Hands On Web site, www.hon.org.
United Way--dial 211 if your area supports service for reference on where to donate or volunteer

Feb. 9 Disaster Response/Recovery Update

Many communities are still working out the process for how they can effectively and safely use volunteers without subjecting survivors to loss of further property and/or put in jeoperdy insurance coverage and/or FEMA assistance. Below is a brief report on a few areas or items that have not been reported in previous updates.

Savannah (Hardin Co.)--84 homes destroyed or with major damage, Rev. Will Wells working with ministerial association to respond to needs and help coordinate aid. Limited access at this time for volunteers outside the community. Emergency grant given to Pulaski District and Savannah 1st for immediate needs with conference disaster personnel ready to provide aid/consultation as needed, especially as community begins to organize for longer term needs/recovery.

Fairview (Williamson Co.)--23 homes destroyed or with major damage. Rev. Ed Brit working with community leaders in responding to immediate needs. Some local cleanup efforts and collections this weekend are being organized out of the Fairview High School.

Lafayette (Macon Co.)--179 homes destroyed or with major damage. At TEMA's request we sent a member of St. Mark's UMC (Murfreesboro) to Lafayette to help the local officials evaluate and assign volunteer teams. Emergency grant has been sent to Cumberland District and Lafayette UMC for immediate needs with conference disaster personnel ready to provide aid/consultation as needed, especially as community begins to organize for longer term needs/recovery.

Bethpage (Sumner Co.)--117 homes destroyed. Food, water, and other supplies have been collected and distribution happening. Able to respond to immediate needs, as well as, be able to help down the road. Hillcrest UMC (Nashville) collection going there. Gallatin CARES will help with storage and/or distribution. Aid/consultation available as needed from conference.

TN Conference--various destruction and damage in 14 counties. The loss of life is the most striking and devastating result of this storm. Please keep these families and communities in your thoughts and prayers. Various churches have responded to needs in their local communities and aid will be available, including lesser hit areas, as needed. We have recieved offers of around 10, in total, trained Early Response Teams from the following conferences: W. North Carlonia, IL Great Rivers, Virgina, Holston, Florida, Kentucky, and others if we called them.

In the coming weeks the Conference will be working with UMCOR (funds and training) and the local communities to provide training as needed for spiritual emotional care and case management for survivors. After the news coverage has ended and many of our early response/relief partners have finished their work, we will fulfill our call and our role in being partners with families and communities throughout their recovery.

Update: United Methodists respond to storms

By Kathy L. Gilbert*

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - United Methodists are helping communities in four states recover from a series of tornadoes that killed nearly 60 people in one night.

A rare midwinter storm spawned the tornadoes that struck the U.S. South Feb. 5, flattening homes and businesses. Alabama, Arkansas and Kentucky all suffered fatalities, with Tennessee experiencing the highest death toll at 32, according to news reports.

Bethpage (Tenn.) United Methodist Church is collecting donations to help pay for the funeral of a young mother, Karey Beth Stowell, whose infant was ripped from her arms during the deadly rampage. The infant was found and taken to the hospital and is doing well, according to the Rev. James R. Hewgley. Another family in his congregation lost grandparents in the storm.

The church is also serving as a drop-off site for donations to storm victims. "We have a big parking lot, 22 acres, and we can handle big trucks while many other areas are blocked by debris," Hewgley said.

Students reach out
Two United Methodist churches in Tennessee were damaged, but Bill Carr, disaster relief coordinator in the Memphis Annual (regional) Conference said the church was "so blessed."

Macedonia United Methodist Church in Arlington, Tenn., suffered minor damage, and Andrews Chapel United Methodist Church had moderate damage, Carr said.

Many other denominations were not so lucky, he said, citing Baptist-related Union University in Jackson, Tenn., as one of the places heavily damaged. Students were trapped in collapsed dormitories, but no one was killed.

United Methodist-related Lambuth College in Jackson, Tenn., reached out to students and faculty from Union.

"I want to thank all our faculty, staff and students who have volunteered to help Union," said R. Fred Zuker, president of Lambuth. "I am especially grateful to those students who prepared rooms and stood by to welcome any Union students who sought refuge on our campus. This effort is indicative of our students' character and their generosity of spirit."

The Rev. Thomas Bullock, pastor of Dyer United Methodist Church, and his wife, Betty, were hospitalized for carbon monoxide poisoning from a generator they were using after the storms knocked out electricity. Both were expected to be released from the hospital Feb. 7, Carr said.

A 'windshield assessment'
In Alabama, Upper Sand Mountain Parish Director Teddy Crum reported that "at least 16 families in our area lost their homes completely while others suffered major damages to homes."

The Upper Sand Mountain Parish, a cooperative of nine United Methodist churches in the northeastern part of Alabama, is working along with the Mountain Lakes District and North Alabama Conference to coordinate relief efforts in its ministry area.

The Rev. Charlie Douglas, who inspected the hardest-hit areas in Kentucky, said all the damage is centered in four counties, with Muhlenberg reporting the worst damage. Douglas said 150 to 175 homes in three communities in that county were destroyed.

"In a windshield assessment, I would say about 20 percent of the families that lost homes in that area are without insurance," he said.

First United Methodist Church in Central City, Ky., is serving as a distribution point for a shelter close to the church.

"Right now, we just need help removing debris," Douglas said.

Arkansas: Major disaster area
Injuries and extensive property damage were reported in 10 Arkansas counties. The hardest hit communities were Atkins, Cleveland, Clinton, Ash Flat, Highland, Mountain View, Zion, Junction City and Gassville.

The United Methodist Committee on Relief issued a $10,000 emergency grant to help with the Arkansas Conference's initial response. President Bush declared Arkansas a major disaster site and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts.

Churches across the state are serving as collection sites for supplies such as water, blankets, ready-to-eat foods, personal care items and cleaning products.

The homes of several United Methodist church members in affected area were damaged, a few church members suffered minor injuries and one was reported in serious condition. Damage to United Methodist property was relative light. The Junction City United Methodist Church reported extensive roof damage to its sanctuary and education building. Mount Eagle Christian Center had numerous trees downed across its 1,000 acres.

UMCOR responds
UMCOR is working with the areas affected by the storm and has sent out some emergency grants, said the Rev. Tom Hazelwood, the agency's domestic disaster coordinator.

Christy Smith of Brownsville, Tenn., near Jackson, is coordinating UMCOR's response to the tornadoes.

Checks for relief can be dropped in church collection plates or mailed directly to UMCOR at P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087. Write "UMCOR Advance #901670, Super Tuesday Tornadoes" on the memo line of the check. Credit-card donations can be made by calling (800) 554-8583 or be clicking on any of the "Give Now" links at http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor online.

*Gilbert is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in Nashville, Tenn. Jane Dennis in Arkansas and Danette Clifton in North Alabama contributed to this report.

United Methodists respond to storms

By Kathy L. Gilbert*

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - United Methodists are helping communities in four states recover from a series of tornadoes that killed at least 57 people in one night.

Residents pick through the rubble of their home destroyed by a tornado in Jackson, Tenn. Dozens of tornadoes hit five states in the southeastern United States on Feb. 5, killing at least 55 people and causing widespread destruction. A UMNS photo by Cathy Farmer.

A rare midwinter storm spawned the tornadoes that struck the U.S. South Feb. 5, flattening homes and businesses. Alabama, Arkansas and Kentucky all suffered fatalities, with Tennessee experiencing the highest death toll at 32, according to news reports.

Bethpage (Tenn.) United Methodist Church is collecting donations to help pay for the funeral of a young mother, Karey Beth Stowell, whose infant was ripped from her arms during the deadly rampage. The infant was found and taken to the hospital and is doing well, according to the Rev. James R. Hewgley. Another family in his congregation lost grandparents in the storm.

The church is also serving as a drop-off site for donations to storm victims. "We have a big parking lot, 22 acres, and we can handle big trucks while many other areas are blocked by debris," Hewgley said.

Students reach out
Two United Methodist churches in Tennessee were damaged, but Bill Carr, disaster relief coordinator in the Memphis Annual (regional) Conference said the church was "so blessed."

Macedonia United Methodist Church in Arlington, Tenn., suffered minor damage, and Andrews Chapel United Methodist Church had moderate damage, Carr said.

Many other denominations were not so lucky, he said, citing Baptist-related Union University in Jackson, Tenn., as one of the places heavily damaged. Students were trapped in collapsed dormitories, but no one was killed.

United Methodist-related Lambuth College in Jackson, Tenn., reached out to students and faculty from Union.

"I want to thank all our faculty, staff and students who have volunteered to help Union," said R. Fred Zuker, president of Lambuth. "I am especially grateful to those students who prepared rooms and stood by to welcome any Union students who sought refuge on our campus. This effort is indicative of our students' character and their generosity of spirit."

UMCOR responds
The Rev. Thomas Bullock, pastor of Dyer United Methodist Church, and his wife, Betty, were hospitalized for carbon monoxide poisoning from a generator they were using after the storms knocked out electricity. Both were expected to be released from the hospital Feb. 7, Carr said.

The United Methodist Committee on Relief is working with the areas affected by the storm and has sent out some emergency grants, said the Rev. Tom Hazelwood, UMCOR's domestic disaster coordinator.

Checks for relief can be dropped in church collection plates or mailed directly to UMCOR at P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087. Write "UMCOR Advance #901670, Super Tuesday Tornadoes" on the memo line of the check. Credit-card donations can be made by calling (800) 554-8583 or be clicking on any of the "Give Now" links at http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor online.

*Gilbert is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in Nashville, Tenn.

Hillcrest Collection Saturday

Below find a list of SPECIFIC items Hillcrest UMC is collecting to send to Bethpage UMC for distribution in Sumner, Macon, and Trousdale Counties. PLEASE ONLY BRING ITEMS LISTED because those are the ones that have been requested and there may not be a way to store or distribute other items. Items needed can change day to day, so look to http://theresponder.blogspot.com for the lastest information on needs and ways to volunteer.

HillCrest UMC (615-832-0157) Nashville, TN, February 7, 2008: Hillcrest United Methodist Church, located at 5112 Raywood Lane, Nashville, Tennessee, will provide a local donation collection site for the victims of the recent tornados. Items will be received on Saturday, February 9th, from 9:00AM to 1:00PM at the church. At one o’clock, the tractor trailers will depart for Bethpage United Methodist Church for drop-off. The following are needed: bottled sports drinks, juices, peanut butter, snack crackers, bread, chips, snack cakes, powdered milk, paper products, canned goods, fruit, diapers, clothing, baby formula, blankets, flashlights, lanterns, generators, toiletries, first aid supplies, water, trash bags, cleaning supplies, and feminine hygiene products.

FEMA Individual Assistance Available

The survivors of the following counties are eligible to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance: Hardin, Macon, Madison, Shelby, and Sumner Counties.
For those that qualify and meet specific guidelines, grants would be available for such things as temporary housing, repair, home replacement, and other non-housing related expenses caused by the disaster (including burial expenses for those persons who died as a result of the storms). More details at the link below.

http://www.fema.gov/news/event.fema?id=9346

Gallatin, Light Debris Cleanup Volunteers

TORNADO CLEAN-UP THIS WEEKEND

VOLUNTEERS & DONATIONS NEEDED
Gallatin City Hall Parking Lot
Saturday & Sunday
Arrive between 8am & 10am
Email info@gallatintn.org to sign up

At the request of the Sumner County Emergency Management Agency, the Gallatin Area Chamber of Commerce is organizing tornado clean-up this weekend.

To participate, contact the Gallatin Area Chamber of Commerce via email at info@gallatintn.org or call (615) 452-4000.

Volunteers are asked to arrive at the Gallatin City Hall parking lot between 8am and 10am on Saturday and Sunday mornings. From there, teams will be dispatched to assigned clean-up areas.

Volunteers should wear sturdy shoes and protective clothing. If available, they should bring gloves, rakes, shovels, etc. These items will also be available on-site, but any extras are appreciated. PLEASE BRING BOTTLED WATER. Lunch will be provided at Cragfont Baptist Church.

Please call the Chamber by 4pm on Friday to put your name on the list to participate. Groups are welcome and will be able to work together.

Volunteers should be prepared to work a minimum of four hours.
Teenagers may work with supervising adults.

Note from Hartsville UMC Pastor

From Eric Limbo and Hartsville First UMC

I want to first thank everyone who has responded to the crisis caused by the tornado. Your concern and quick response reminds me why I am glad that I am a United Methodist and part of a connectional system.

Next, in evaluating the storm damage, I want to let you know that Trousdale County and the city of Hartsville were extremely fortunate and blessed, in comparison to Sumner and Macon Counties. It appears that the tornado just skirted the Trousdale Country line and left the majority of the county, including all downtown Hartsville, completely intact, except for the occasional tree or limb. The only concern that many people have is no electricity, because Hartsville receives its power through Tri-County Electric in Lafayette.

Once again, thank you for your offers of help and supplies to Hartsville, but I want to make sure they get to where they are needed - and right now that is in Sumner and Macon Counties, which are being coordinated through Hap Hewgley at Bethpage UMC and Michael Welch at Lafayette UMC.

Please continue to pray for the families and all those affected by these terrible storms.

Peace,

Eric Limbo

Financial Donations

We will not know for some time the financial resources that will be needed to respond in the 5 counties in our Conference that have been most affected by the recent storm. When we have a clearer picture of the need, we will consult with the Bishop on asking for a special offering. Until that time, we do have funds available to respond to immediate needs and the offer of emergency funds from UMCOR as needed.

If persons do make gifts, we have a standing Conference Advance Special that provides aid during relief and long-term recovery, as well as, training in preparedness before disasters occur. Checks can be made out to Tennessee Conference UMC, designated TN Conference Disaster Response, and be sent by the church treasurer to Administrative Services.

Please keep the affected persons and their communities in your thoughts and prayers.

Grace and Peace

Rev. Jason Brock
Mercy, Mission, and Justice
TN Conference of the United Methodist Church
304 S. Perimeter Park Dr., Suite 1
Nashville, TN 37211
615-329-1177
JBrock@tnumc.org

Message from Lafayette UMC Pastor

I have been in contact with some of the persons responsible for the
disaster response here in Lafayette. Today the community is in the
process of discerning what is needed, and in what order. It is not
possible to rush this process, even though there are so many persons
who want to help. Please be patient and work through established
channels or offers of help can become distractions for those who are
trying to coordinate relief efforts.

To cite just one example of the need to be responsible: Lafayette
Mayor Bill Wells, a member of Lafayette UMC, told me this morning that
private parties using heavy equipment, and in a rush to help, are in
danger of destroying infrastructure, such as gas and electrical
connnections, that will have to be replaced at the eity's expense.
This, at a time when the city is facing a fiscal challenge with things
as they are.

We are grateful for any and all help. We just need persons to make
sure that they are helping in the most effective and constructive ways
possible, and at the best time.

Blessings,

Michael Welch

Feb. 7 Disaster Response Update

For those wanting to make donation of supplies or help clear debris, please see this article for current contact information http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080206/NEWS15/802070387

We are working with the local churches and agencies in affected areas to help, we’ll make further updates as they are available.

Feb. 6 Disaster Response Update--2

Let us keep in our thoughts and prayers persons in several communities across the state who have suffered damage and loss of life. Currently, District Offices and District Disaster Response Coordinators are making contacts in the Conference to assess the damage and begin to find ways we can support those affected. At this time, Emergency Officials, the Red Cross, and local residents are the primary persons allowed and best suited to be working in affected areas.

While there has been sporadic wind damage across the conference, currently we are aware of more severe damage in Hardin County (Pulaski District), Williamson/Hickman Counties (Columbia District), and Sumner/Trousdale/Macon Counties (Cumberland District).

We have had an offer of funds, supplies, and equipment from UMCOR if needed. We have made available some supplies and equipment from the Conference. If your church or community has been affected, please contact your District Office and me with any information you may have. Once communities have become safe and they have determined aid that they will need, we will share that information. We will post updates from time to time at http://theresponder.blogspot.com

Feb. 6 Disaster Response Update

Feb. 6--Checking on churches, members, and communities in following counties: Hardin, Hickman, Williamson, Sumner, Macon, and Trousdale. UMCOR assistance of funds, equipment, supplies, and consultation has been offered if needed. Cumberland District has provided food, water, and persons trained for spiritual/emotional care in disasters. Bethpage UMC has been a point of collection for certain items needed for immediate care. Lafayette UMC has been set up for families to come who are missing family members. TN Conference has provided health (hygiene) kits to Red Cross, as well as, flood buckets (clean-up materials), health kits, and 2 generators for use by Lafayette UMC and Hartsville UMC.

Conference and District disaster response and recovery personnel will be doing more assessments in Pulaski, Columbia, and Cumberland Districts on Thursday.