Kentucky Conference Bishop Issues Statement on Flooding

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We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 

Kentucky Conference friends,

Yet again we find ourselves picking up the pieces after another storm has ravaged our conference. The storms seem stronger, the flood waters seem higher, and the recovery seems longer these days. Second Corinthians reminds us that we are repeatedly pushed to our limit but somehow, we find a glimmer of hope through Jesus, who sustains us hour to hour, day to day.

Part of the hope I see after such a devastating week is our conference disaster response ministry. After days of grim forecasts, they were prepared to serve and respond as soon as it was safe. Under the leadership of Rev. Jim Savage, the conference is actively assisting multiple communities.

It will take time to comprehensively assess the damage as it is so widespread, and the flood waters have not yet receded in certain places. The District Disaster Response Coordinators (DDRC) and Emergency Response Teams (ERT) are ready to respond as soon as they can enter communities. As you hear of needs in your district, please let your DDRC or Rev. Savage know so that they can help respond. Due to road closures many areas with damage have not yet been assessed.

Many faithful clergy and laity in our conference are asking what they can do to help. Here are some opportunities to serve our neighbors:

  • For local churches that did not receive damage, assembling UMCOR cleaning and hygiene kits would be most helpful. Click here for instructions.
  • If you are not yet ERT certified, there is an upcoming training on April 26th at Watkins UMC. Click here to register.
  • If you are trained you might also consider coordinating with Rev. Savage to schedule or host another ERT Training.

Thankfully we have a supply of UMCOR kits on standby to deploy into communities. I am grateful for the United Methodist Mountain Missions and the Central Appalachian Missionary Conference for storing these kits for such a time as this. I am also thankful for Rev. Jeff Graham, DDRC in the Pennyrile District, and Rev. Rodney Stewart-Wilcox from Lawrenceburg UMC who are transporting kits from storage and delivering them to those in need in their district.

For those not familiar with this organization, the Kentucky Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) empowers non-profit and religious organization leaders to collaborate for the most efficient response through daily calls. With this shared information, we will begin to craft the long-term recovery plan while meeting immediate needs.

In the worst of times, we see the best in our United Methodist Connection. Please continue to carefully watch for information as it becomes available in the coming days and weeks. We often say after significant disasters that this is a marathon, not a sprint. There will be great need in many of our communities for years to come.

Join me in praying for those experiencing loss and heartache. May we serve as the hands and feet of Christ and exemplify radical love in the coming days.

In Christ,

Bishop David Graves

Resident Bishop, Kentucky Conference of the UMC