Iowa Catie Newman
The Rev. Catie Newman prays with John Wm. Weaver in front of a neighbor’s wind-damaged home while a United Methodist volunteer team makes emergency repairs to his roof in Marion, Iowa. Weaver’s mobile home was severely damaged during a derecho windstorm in August. Newman is the disaster response coordinator for the Iowa Conference. (Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.)
A United Methodist Insight Column
United Methodists in the Iowa and Louisiana annual conferences are showing that their faith in God and one another are seeing them through disasters on top of the coronavirus pandemic.
In Iowa, a new ministry called The Exile Project began Oct. 9 with the publication of its first “Abiding in Exile” newsletter. Iowa folks have had an added burden of disaster along with coronavirus: in August, an “inland hurricane” called a “derecho” swept through the state and flattened homes, businesses and nearly half of the state’s corn crop.
In response to the emotional and spiritual trauma caused by these events, conference leaders came up with a way to provide support even though physically distant from one another. The conference website describes it thus: “It’s that experience of depletion, distance, and uncertainty that has prompted us to introduce The Exile Project, a collaboration between Bishop Haller’s Mental Health Task Force and the Office of Clergy and Leadership Excellence. A diverse team of writers … along with guest writers from time to time, will be distributing an ‘Abiding in Exile’ e-newsletter each week, to support the mental health and wellness of lay and clergy leaders living through the pandemic.”
Fortunately for those of us not in Iowa, it’s possible to subscribe to “Abiding in Exile” from anywhere (thank you, Internet!). Click here to read more about The Exile Project and subscribe to “Abiding in Exile.”
Hurricane Laura damage
The United Methodist Cross and Flame logo lies in pieces after Hurricane Laura tore through Wakefield United Methodist Church in Cameron, La. (Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News)
In Louisiana, United Methodists are reeling from the effects of two hurricanes, Laura and Delta, which struck the state weeks apart in substantially the same location near Lake Charles. Conference director of communications strategies, the Rev Todd Rossnagel, has been keeping folks well informed of both needs and response through a range of media reported via Louisiana NOW, the conference e-newsletter.
The Oct. 16 issue of Louisiana NOW is chock-full of news about storm-damaged churches, volunteer recovery efforts and how to stay safe while recovery continues. Here are some links to articles from the newsletter:
“Loss Upon Loss”, Hurricane Delta Strikes Southwest Louisiana (podcast)
Staying Safe While Recovering, an article on the conference website gives tips for avoiding additional injury while recovering from hurricane effects.
The Joy of Volunteering, a video feature on one volunteer from Texas who stayed in southwest Louisiana for over 18 days – volunteering and helping in the recovery process.
In both conferences, post-disaster needs are great and resources are stretched. Check out the conference websites for ways you can help from afar. Even small amounts can make big differences.
Media Mentions as of Oct. 16, 2020
Faith groups release video to rally liberal religious voters as Election Day looms – Religion News Service
How QAnon uses religion to lure unsuspecting Christians – CNN
Mosby Elected First Black President of the Holston Conference United Methodist Women – tntribune.com
Eastern Pennsylvania Conference allows Grandview United Methodist Church to disaffiliate – Fly Magazine
Liberia: United Methodist Church Young Adults Rescue 37 through Medical Outreach – Front Page Africa
20000 meals and still going strong: Broadmoor Methodist ministry fights hunger in Baton Rouge – The Advocate
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011.