North Georgia flooding disaster response

The devastating flood in North Georgia that occurred following historic rain in September 2009 resulted in extreme damage to 100s of homes in 17 counties. Many teams have already rebuilt homes, but the need to help other families still displaced from their homes continues. There are at least another 80-100 homes in Cobb and Douglas County and additional homes in DeKalb and Gwinnett Counties that need major repairs. Beginning in July, three teams per week with up to 10 members per team are needed each week at least through October.

Central Tennessee Flooding Response

A note from Tennessee Conference Disaster Response Coordinator Jason Brock: Currently we are in transition from cleanup to rebuilding, expecting to need teams from late summer through the next 18 months to 2 years. Across 28 declared counties, we are expecting upwards of 2,400 long term recovery cases, many involving construction.

We are currently putting together our team info packet, team size, age restrictions, forms, etc. for rebuild teams. However, interested churches can go ahead and make an initial inquiry to DisasterResponse@tnumc.com and we'll provide them an initial registration form to get on our calendar.

We will post periodic information at http://tnumcrelief.blogspot.com/ and will soon have an email newsletter available. Our disaster phone line is 615-695-2765. All disaster communications should be sent to our DisasterResponse@tnumc.com email address so copies of correspondence are shared among the Conference Disaster Response Team.

Chile Disaster Response teams requested

Chile is ready to begin accepting teams following February's 8.8 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami.

Specific needs:
Santiago: Four teams needed. Three churches need repair.
Methodist Church of Parral: Three teams needed.
Methodist Church of Linares: Many teams are needed to rebuild the parsonage and the sanctuary.
Methodist Church of Penco: Four teams needed. This church needs to rebuild a wall around the Parsonage that was washed away by the tsunami.
Second Methodist Church of Temuco: Three teams needed.

NW Tennessee Flooding response

Recent flooding in Dyer County in Northwest Tennessee has devastated the lives of hundreds of people. Areas hardest hit are comprised of uninsured older homes in a low income area. The result of this combination is the need to demolish and rebuild most of these homes. The victims cannot afford to rebuild their homes as they have merely the money they have received from FEMA.

Skilled volunteer teams are needed to defray some of the costs for these families. Teams are also encouraged to bring funds to assist if at all possible. Housing is being provided by Dyersburg First United Methodist Church. The facility can accommodate up to 60 people. A kitchen, 3 laundry units, and 12 showers are available.

Visit http://tnumcrelief.blogspot.com or http://flood2010.tnumc.com for more information.

Church Construction, Philippines

Bishop Rodolfo A. Juan of the Philippines Central Conference has requested a construction team to rebuild the sanctuary of the 77-year old UMC congregation of Pagangpang. He is envisioning a larger church building with a balcony to safely and comfortably accommodate the growing number of worshipers. The team will also have opportunities for fellowship with members of the congregation. This is a new project relationship that UMVIM is hoping to strengthen and Bishop Juan is hoping to have a team as soon as possible. Please respond to sejinfo@umvim.org if you are interested in leading a team.

Santor UMC, Philippines

Santor UMC in Baggao, Cagayan, Philippines requests three (3) UMVIM teams to assist the local church in continuing the construction of a 2-story edifice which will serve as a worship sanctuary and multi-purpose center for the church and community.

Buliclic UMC, Philippines

Buliclic UMC in Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur, Philippines requests one (1) VIM team. It is also requesting financial support to assist the local church in purchasing much-needed construction materials to supplement the funds that they have already raised. The VIM team can participate in the project at any point since four (4) full-time workers have been tasked to finish the project. VIM team members have opportunities to fellowship with Buliclic UMC members, where they are welcome to share their gospel witness and personal testimony. They can also visit Palali UMC and San Pedro UMC, both daughter churches of Buliclic UMC, that are within a short distance.

Salcedo Central UMC, Philippines

Salcedo Central UMC in Salcedo, Ilocos Sur will begin the installation of the roof and ceiling of their worship sanctuary in January 2011. This church is requesting one (1) VIM team to participate in this project and to provide financial assistance to purchase much-needed construction materials to supplement funds the congregation has already raised. VIM team participation can occur at any point in the project as full-time workers have been tasked to complete the project. VIM team members have opportunities to fellowship with Salcedo Central UMC members, where they are welcome to share their gospel witness and personal testimony. They can also visit Balidbid UMC and Kaliwakiw UMC, both daughter churches of Salcedo UMC, that are within a short distance.

Flooding Response, Tennessee

Teams Needed in Tennessee After Recent Flooding

For the second year in a row, historic flooding has impacted west Tennessee. First United Methodist Church in Dyersburg will house volunteer teams and coordinate recovery projects for the northwest Tennessee area. The muck out process is underway and will continue through July 2011. Rebuilding efforts have begun and will continue through summer of 2012.

Teams are housed in several rooms in the church's family life center, a kitchen, showers, WiFi, and cable TV are provided at no cost to teams. Team donations toward work projects are welcomed but not required. Teams of 25 or fewer are ideal but larger groups can be accommodated.

Contact Rev. Robert Craig at FUMC. 731.285.6454 or email: rcraig@fumcdyersburg.com

Church Rebuilding Projects - Burned Churches

National Coalition for Burned Churches Announces 2011 Church Rebuilding Projects: More Volunteers Teams Needed

The National Coalition for Burned Churches will dispatch volunteers from across the country to assist seven churches with rebuilding in 2011.

NCBC established the Church Rebuilding Project: An Interfaith Response to Rebuilding and Recovery in 1998 to assist congregations located in primarily rural, isolated areas whose church fires were ruled arson, bombing, suspicious or undetermined with rebuilding.

Churches selected to receive rebuilding support next year include six southern Black churches and one multi-racial church. The projects are scattered throughout the south and northeast covering five states: Alabama (1), Georgia (3), Massachusetts (1), New York (1) and South Carolina (1)

According to Rev. Rose Johnson-Mackey, NCBC executive director, "Sadly, we have more requests for help from churches than we have volunteer teams. All of the churches selected are in need of donations and volunteer support. However you (the public) can assist getting the word out will be greatly appreciated. The true blessing here is that we have some of the nation's most incredible volunteers who come from across the nation to serve, inspire hope and encourage congregations that through Christ all things are possible."


Established in 1997, the National Coalition was founded by pastors, members of burned churches and supporting partners in response to the 1996 church burning crisis. We are a multiracial, interfaith coalition working in partnership with individuals and organizations committed to reducing the impact and numbers of church burning and bombing incidents throughout the south and nationally. Our mission is to protect the right of congregations to worship in peace free from the threat of arson, bombing and vandalism. We accomplish our mission through programs in victim/survivor support, church rebuilding, volunteer coordination, arson prevention, research and capacity building.

To support the work of the National Coalition donations can be mailed to PO Box 361 Gainesville, GA 30503-0415. Make checks payable to the National Coalition for Burned Churches.

Foster Parents

UMCH Needs Foster Parents!
Open Your Heart ... and Your Home

The United Methodist Children's Home is currently looking for Basic and Therapeutic Foster Parents, and they need homes for children of all ages. Please call toll free 877-TFC-UMCH (832-8624) for more information in south Alabama and 877-286-2432 for west Florida. Please visit the link below for Answers to Common Questions about Becoming a Foster Parent, or visit the UMCH website: www.umch.net.

Costa Rica mission team opportunities

Openings for Mission Teams in Costa Rica:

Rice and Beans Ministries in Costa Rica has openings for teams the weeks of:
February 19-27
February 26-March 6
March 5-13
March 12-20
March 19-27

Also openings April 9-23, May 30-August 27, September 3-25, October 8-26 and the Food Ministry November 28- December 26.

This is one of the UMVIM, SEJ Go! Projects for this year. For more information, please contact Lauren Roden. Call her at 205.453.9480 or email her at lauren_roden@umvim.org.

Government Street UMC reconstruction project

Government Street UMC will host half of the 3.0 mission interns who are serving in the Mobile District this summer. A lot of progress is being made in a short time, yet there is still much to be done.

The most critical needs for leadership are:

• A plumber or someone with plumbing knowledge who can tie in the new plumbing to the water system. There are a few basic things like installing fixtures too.
• Interior carpentry - a second upstairs bathroom needs to be completed.

The church can use both skilled and unskilled manpower.

There are also tasks that involve dry wall, tile installation, and the major construction clean-up before the interns can move in.

Operation Inasmuch (ongoing)

Operation Inasmuch of Mitchell County, NC is an interdenominational home repair ministry led by area United Methodists and is now accepting applications for spring, summer and fall mission teams.

Located in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains near Spruce Pine, North Carolina, the ministry provides assistance to needy, elderly and handicapped residents. Dormitory style housing is provided for teams of up to 50 members. The housing units have a fully furnished kitchen. Teams must furnish their own linens and towels.

Adult and youth teams are encouraged to apply. Teams may come for a weekend, a week or longer. For more information contact Neil Brown, 828-766-5922 or brownneil@bellsouth.net

Rice and Beans: Feed the Families Ministry

Teams Needed for Rice and Beans: Feed the Families Ministry: Rice and Beans Ministries needs volunteer teams to help deliver food bags to families in need in Costa Rica this Christmas. Teams will help deliver food, teach arts and crafts trade skills and cook and serve Christmas lunch for the community.

Available Dates: Dec.3-10, Dec.10-17, Dec.16-23

Cost for each week: $350 (not including airfare).

To learn more about Feed the Families, watch this short video: click here

Pensacola United Methodist Community Ministries

The Pensacola UM Community Ministries has an ongoing need for volunteers in several areas including food service on Sunday evenings, Mondays 9am-11am, Wednesdays 2pm-4pm and Thursdays 9am-11am.

At these times they also need clothes sorters, clerical assistance, and pantry workers.

They also need volunteers for their thrift store (Acts2) Mondays thru Saturdays 9am- 5pm. (Each shift in 4 hours).

They also have need for social workers healthcare providers and mental health counselors.

Haiti Mission Team

Gulf Shores UMC is sponsoring a Mission Trip to Haiti. There are spots open for people from other churches.

Cuba Construction team

A team traveling to Cuba is requesting team members. They will be working on construction projects assigned by the Methodist Church of Cuba.

Total cost of the trip from Atlanta is around $1700.

Quito, Ecuador Medical Mission Team

This team will serve with established ministries through SIFAT (Servants in Faith and Technology) in Quito, Ecuador. While the main focus of the team is medical, people of all skills and abilities are needed for support and other important work during the week.