The United Methodist Church in Hindman, Ky., was completely overcome by flooding. (Photo Courtesy of Kentucky Annual Conference)
A United Methodist Insight Column
Water, water everywhere from floods in Missouri and Kentucky after continued storms that meteorologists say are intensified by the climate crisis. Here's the latest on how United Methodists can help flood-stricken communities.
From the Missouri Annual Conference:
Missouri United Methodist Disaster Response is currently awaiting further instruction from state agencies as to how United Methodists will be asked to contribute in the “Recovery” phase related to the St. Charles and St. Louis-area flooding event and Kentucky flooding. Scott Burdin, Conference Disaster Response Coordinator, is in daily contact with Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) and Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA). Burdin has connected with ERT leaders about possible service opportunities in the coming weeks. Contact Scott Burdin at sburdin@moumethodist.org with questions.
Congregations are asked to focus on the following mission and service efforts:
- PRAY. Pray for the people of flood-affected areas and first responders and agencies managing assessments. Search Discipleship Ministries for worship resources during times of natural disaster, including this Communion liturgy appropriate for those celebrating communion.
- SERVE. The Missouri Conference Disaster Response Facebook page will list volunteer opportunities and locations as well as stlvolunteer.org as they come available. Specific cleanup opportunities will also be coordinated through the MO Conference Disaster Response effort and communicated through electronic and social media. Subscribe to the Disaster Response Newsletter.
- GIVE. Visit Missouri Disaster Response Online Giving. All monies stay within the state for disaster response and recovery. Consider giving a number of cleaning buckets ($75 each). For paper giving, make checks payable to: Missouri Annual Conference (memo: Disaster Response) and mail to Missouri Annual Conference, 3601 Amron Ct. Columbia, MO 65202.
- The Missouri Conference center is receiving cleaning buckets that adhere to UMCOR’s standards to backfill supplies used in the St. Louis flood event and in anticipation of Kentucky flooding. Visit UMCOR’s Cleaning Kit page for kit details and assembly. Contact Scott Burdin at sburdin@moumethodist.org before dropping off kits to ensure someone can receive the kits in the warehouse.
- REPORT. If you have needs for volunteer disaster response in your community, including flood bucket requests, please contact Scott directly at sburdin@moumethodist.org.
- LEARN. Visit Missouri Annual Conference’s communication platforms to be informed of immediate needs: www.facebook.com/umcdisaster.
From the Kentucky Annual Conference:
Kentucky Area Bishop Leonard Fairley posted a statement July 28:
"Once again, floodwaters cover Eastern Kentucky. News outlets are calling the flooding “historic,” which is a word no one wants to hear during a disaster. I have been in contact with our Conference Disaster Response Coordinator, Jim Morse, who is diligently working to coordinate our efforts, and with each District Superintendent in the affected areas. My understanding is that search, rescue and recovery efforts are ongoing in some areas. Please check in with each other. Seek out ways you may be of immediate help without hindering the search, rescue and recovery efforts, and without putting yourself at risk.
"At this point, we know that Hindman United Methodist Church, in the South East Kentucky District, is flooded with at least half of the sanctuary underwater. Their parsonage is OK, but currently without power. When we are notified of other damage or updates, we will post that information here, https://www.kyumc.org/2022-south-east-ky-flood-updates. As always, we direct our hearts, prayers, and work toward all God’s people, not just United Methodists. If there is one thing I have learned about Kentucky, it is the deep resiliency of its people and their response when faced with disasters.
"I know that you will join me in prayer for these, our sisters and brothers, as they once again face disaster with a deep faith in Jesus Christ. I expect nothing less from the people called United Methodist in Kentucky but to roll up our sleeves for the work ahead and bend our knees in specific prayer for friends, neighbors, and colleagues. Pray now for specific ways you will respond to this urgent call for help. Currently, there is an urgent need for flood buckets. Please see the accompanying story for more details."
Conference prepares to respond with flood buckets, other aid
2022 South East KY Flood Updates: To make a financial donation, send checks to Kentucky Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, Attn: Treasurer, 7400 Floydsburg Road, Crestwood KY 40014. On the memo line please put: KY Disaster Response #200902.
UMCOR Disaster Logo
Donations can also be made online for these and other disasters via UMCOR U.S. Disaster Response and Recovery.
A broader view of climate effects
While we're focused on helping those who've suffered from the immediate effects of flooding and heat, Axios' extreme-weather expert Andrew Freedman writes that "this summer has demonstrated again and again that our infrastructure isn't sufficient to withstand today's changed climate — let alone what's on the horizon."
Says Mike Allen, author of Axios AM newsletter for Aug. 2: "We have long designed our infrastructure as if the climate conditions and extremes of the past would hold true in the future. But with climate change, outlier events trend closer to the norm. The bottom line: When it rains, it rains harder. When it's hot, it gets hotter — and stays that way longer than it used to.
"'The modeled climate impacts we assumed were 25 to 50 years away are in some cases already occurring today,' said Steven Bowen, head of catastrophe insight at insurance giant Aon.' Read the full story, "We Haven't Built for This Climate."
How well prepared is your congregation to cope with the effects of the climate crisis?
Protect the Grand Canyon
From the Desert-Southwest Conference, Jeannie Festa, co-chair of the Earth Care Committee, shared this item originally published by the Arizona Faith Network.
"Recently, a key Senate committee considered the Grand Canyon Protection Act, a bill that would safeguard approximately 1 million acres surrounding Grand Canyon National Park from future mining. Members and leaders of many Indigenous Tribes and Nations, including from the Havasupai Tribe, have fought for generations to protect the Grand Canyon region from the threats uranium mining poses to significant water resources, their communities’ health, and their cultural identities. Use this link to join other people of faith in signing a letter encouraging the Senate to pass the GCPA! Protect The Grand Canyon"
One misstep away from nuclear annihilation
Tensions with China over House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's whirlwind visit to Taiwan, coming as Russia's war against Ukraine continues, have prompted concerns about the possibility of war.
The NPR Daily newsletter reports: "U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres says 'humanity is just one misunderstanding, one miscalculation away from nuclear annihilation.' Global politics is under great stress from the climate crisis, the COVID pandemic, Russia's invasion of Ukraine and more, while countries are growing and modernizing their nuclear arsenals."
Let's pray for peace and do all we can to support it around the world.
Church and Society accepting grant applications
Now's the time to apply for three grant programs offered by the General Board of Church and Society. The deadline is Sept. 16 to apply for Ethnic Local Church, Human Relations Day and Peace with Justice grants, which range from $2,000 to $5,000. Applicants must be a United Methodist congregation, district, conference or other affiliated organization, or an ecumenical ministry with a formal partnership with the UMC. Click here for more information and to apply.
Climate resilience logo
Building climate-resilient communities
The ecumenical organization Creation Justice Ministries will hold a webinar, "Faith Communities and Climate Resilience" on Thursday, August 18 from 5-8 p.m. for an evening of discussion and workshops on building climate resilience and restoring communities to places of safety, justice, and prosperity. "Learn how faith communities, academics, and government officials from across the U.S. are finding novel, creative solutions to climate challenges," says its announcement. Guest speakers will include Dr. Rick Spinrad, NOAA Administrator, and Queen Quet of the Gullah/Geechee Nation.
This event is sponsored by Southeast Faith Leaders Network, Creation Justice Ministries, People's Justice Council, North Carolina Interfaith Power and Light, Georgia Interfaith Power and Light, South Carolina Interfaith Power and Light and Texas Impact. Click here to register for the workshop
Media Mentions as of Aug. 3, 2022
Churches pitch in to help local families get ready for school - Now Habersham
What's Working: 'I'm very grateful,' Food pantry helping hungry - YouTube
More Black churches are making mental health care part of their ministry – The Weekly Challenger
Faith groups, service organizations receive $78K in 1st round of Nederland COVID grant program – Port Arthur News
'A new way to do the same thing': Four churches collaborate to address post-COVID-19 church scene – Indianapolis Recorder
United Methodists organize peace caravan in the Congo - UM News
It's still 'Christians only' at this Tennessee Methodist adoption agency - Baptist News Global
As frustration and misinformation mount, United Methodist Church's reputation takes a beating – Baptist News Global
These hurricane flood maps reveal the climate future for Miami, NYC and D.C. – NPR
Second Teen Charged With Killing United Methodist Church Leader - ChurchLeaders
Widow finds more than a mission field in answered prayer | Religion | themountaineer.com
United Methodists in Nigeria distribute 50 tricycles - UM News
Small CCN logo
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011. "Crisis Watch" is Insight's contribution to the global journalism collaboration of Covering Climate Now, an international association of some 500 news outlets committed to comprehensive reporting on the global climate crisis. To reproduce this content elsewhere, please contact Insight for permission.