UMCs Aid Evacuees While Harvey Churns On

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Patience and prayer are what's needed most now in flood-ravaged Houston and its environs, say United Methodist leaders, as the disaster of Hurricane Harvey continues, now a stalled tropical storm expected to move slowly northeast across Louisiana by the end of the week.

The scope of the still-evolving catastrophe stunned media, government and church leaders alike. President Donald Trump, who viewed the region by helicopter on Aug. 29, termed the disaster "epic." Julie Turkewitz, Richard Pérez-Peña and Jack Healy of the New York Times wrote: "Local, state and federal officials conceded that the scale of the crisis was so vast that they were nowhere near being able to measure it, much less fully address it.

"Across a region that is home to millions of people and includes Houston, the nation’s fourth-largest city, no one has a clear idea how many people are missing, how many evacuated, how many hunkered down or were trapped in their waterlogged homes, or how many inundated houses and vehicles are beyond saving," the Times reporters wrote.

The situation in Houston was "still a life-saving response" as of Tuesday, Aug. 29, according to the Associated Press. The AP quoted Houston’s police chief that "emergency personnel have conducted more than 3,500 rescues since Harvey’s floodwaters began overtaking the city." Government officials estimated that as many as 30,000 evacuees will need shelter elsewhere.

The National Weather Service announced that Harvey set a new U.S. record for rainfall from a tropical system with a weather station southeast of Houston recording 49.32 inches of rain as of Tuesday morning. Floodwaters inundated and shut down interstate highways, in some locations reaching as high as street signs 20 feet overhead. Weather Service officials estimated that could be flooded for a month or more because of high water downstream that will slow runoff.

In at least one instance, a United Methodist Church was providing shelter for its neighbors even while its own community was cut off by floods.

The Rev. Josh Hale, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Liberty City, posted on Facebook that his church was sheltering some 50 people as of Aug. 29. Liberty City is a town of some 10,000 people about 30 miles northeast of downtown Houston. The Trinity River runs through part of town, and the ground elevation averages around 30 feet above sea level.

On Aug. 28, Rev. Hale requested air mattresses, cots, pillows, bedding and volunteers to help staff the shelter. Those requests could only be filled by local volunteers as the town was shut off from outside aid.

"Just so everyone knows: currently roads in & out of central Liberty County are impassable," Rev. Hale posted. "No Red Cross or United Methodist Church resources can get in as of today. If you're not local & want to help, give generously to the Red Cross, or to UMCOR so supplies can be fully funded when the waters recede."

Reports from other United Methodists in Texas:

Central Texas: "In his latest blog post – Responding to Harvey, Aug. 28 – Bishop Michael

Lowry put forth 'a very personal' request to all Central Texas Conference Methodists to join in praying earnestly and often for the people of the Texas Gulf Coast, especially those who are directly affected by flooding from Harvey and all of the first responders who have come from all across Texas and several other states to assist in rescue efforts.

"He also reiterated the calls for patience and financial support that have been posted on our conference website (ctcumc.org/HurricaneHarvey ) and delivered via our Mission Support and Disaster Relief communications. Today, he is reinforcing the invitation to financially support the UMCOR relief efforts by calling on the churches of the Central Texas Conference to receive a Hurricane Harvey Flood Relief Special Offering sometime within the next four to six weeks."

Rio Texas Conference: "This past Sunday, Aug. 27, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Kerrville contributed over $7,000 for the Rio Texas Conference Disaster Response Fund. This is a significant offering for the church with an average worship attendance of just over 160."

As reports of church damage continued to trickle in, Rio Texas said that First UMC in Port Aransas, where Hurricane Harvey came ashore with 130 mph wind, appeared to have survived the storm with minor exterior effects.

Rio Texas Disaster Response will hold Emergency Response Team Training on Saturday, Sept. 2. More than 35 people had signed up by Aug. 29, and the conference will issue photo ID badges and T-shirts for individuals and teams.

Texas Conference: At the heart of the disaster, Texas' disaster response appealed for emergency supplies via its Facebook page. "Our two greatest needs besides direct donations: Cleaning Kits - http://bit.ly/2wm6BdT  and Hygiene Kits - http://bit.ly/2wmxfUa," the message said.

Bishop Scott Jones, resident episcopal leader of the Houston-based Texas Annual Conference, posted a brief update on Facebook as floodwaters swirled ever higher in the USA's fourth largest city. "We have truly been through a most difficult time over the last four days and it is not over. I am grateful for the many ways in which you have served Christ and the people of our area. District Superintendents and others have shared stories of how you have cared for people, opened your churches as shelters, rescued people and been involved in serving others. Thank you! I am proud to be a United Methodist clergy serving Christ in these difficult times."

Meanwhile, even United Methodists far outside Texas began gearing up to help Harvey's victims as soon as the opportunity arose.

Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference posted a story about Harvey on Aug. 28 that included five suggestions for immediate aid from its conference Disaster Ministry Coordinator, the Rev. Greg Ellis:

"Please continue to pray for those whose lives have been impacted by hurricane/tropical storm Harvey. Please also pray for the Early Response Teams, disaster coordinators, and the many staff and volunteers [in the affected annual conferences].

"Make flood buckets, relief kits and health kits. - Info on Supply Kits. UMCOR has warehouses across the country stocked with Relief Kits and other supplies ready for the next truck headed to an area of immediate need. Putting together Relief Kits can be done by a family or small group or as a larger church effort. For details about specific immediate needs and instructions for Relief Kits and Health Kits, visit Mission Central. 

"Give to UMCOR's relief and recovery efforts.  Donate Here (100% of your donation goes to the cause). You can give online to UMCOR's Domestic Disaster Advance #901670. Contributions support the personnel, supplies and equipment needed to organize disaster response and a long-term rebuilding. 

"Wait to donate only those items requested. As needs become known in Texas and neighboring states, the affected conferences will reach out. Please do not send "stuff" to the damaged areas. Wait for specific requests from UMCOR or local governments. 

"Please wait for an invitation to volunteer.

Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011.