Updated:  4-19-12 at 12:45 PM

Hurricane Irene Recovery

Waves break over railings of a home's raised deck. Storm surges were up to 8 feet in some areas.

The NC Conference continues to have an on-going operation for disaster recovery.  Over 27,000 homes were damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Irene in August 2011.  We have thousands of people who remain unable to move back into heavily damaged or destroyed homes.  We have deep need for work teams to do both repair/reconstruction and new construction.  The NC Conference disaster recovery call center can place your team in an area where people continue to desperately need your help.   We have had over 250 teams respond and we need many, many more.  We are deeply grateful for the efforts and gifts of these wondrous servants.  We have been staggered by the generosity of those who have responded in such manner.   Please join us.  Your efforts will make a difference.

Anyone wanting to volunteer should email disasterresponse@nccumc.org or call 888-440-9167.

For our NC districts and local churches, if you are willing to have your facility be used for work teams for this, or any, disaster, please fill out the Disaster Response Facilities Survey and send it to disasterresponse@nccumc.org .

We continue to need additional funds for the recovery work.  Please also consider reaching out financially by giving to NC Storms Emergency Response – NC Advance #S-00176. 100% of every gift to this Advance will go to storm response.  You can give online at:  Hurricane Irene Giving

You can also send funds to:  NC Conference, P.O. Box 60053, Charlotte, NC 28260.  Please be sure to note Advance #S-00176.

— Steve Taylor/Outreach Team Coordinator

Children in AGAPE Christian Education

Conference contractor JP McGuire is leading a construction mission work team to Armenia July 28 – Aug. 12.  Construction experience is not necessary for this trip, just a willingness to be God’s servant in hands-on building ministry.  There is a particular need for persons with good computer skills.  The cost of the trip is projected at $3500 – all inclusive.

We have multiple openings on the team.  You will be blessed and you will be a blessing.

For more information on this team, go to Armenia team.

Ronnie helping Jimmey Davis load the large window with Lou Ellen looking on.

We continue to celebrate the volunteers who are are joining our church construction ministry.  Everyone is welcome!  To join us, please contact JP McGuire at:  (919) 920-7282 or jpmcguire@nccumc.com

A word from JP, Conference Contractor:

This week saw a lot of change at the St George UMC site in Maxton.  The update can be seen at:

Celebrating our building at St. George – Board of Missions Construction Ministry!

We are working there this week on Monday-Thursday.  Volunteers welcome!

Thanks,
JP

Volunteers work at St George UMC, Maxton, NC. NC Conference Board of Missions Inc. church construction ministry.

St. George UMC – Maxton … a great volunteer driven outreach ministry of the NC Conference Mission Team/Board of Missions.  Please come and join us!  To do so, please contact JP McGuire at:  (919) 920-7282 or jpmcguire@nccumc.com

A word from JP McGuire, NC Conference Lead Contractor – WOW! – what an incredible two weeks.  Volunteers and crew after crews on-site – and we have really moved forward.  The “crowning glory” was the participation of an UMVIM-South Carolina team from Bethany UMC in Summerville, SC this past Friday and Saturday.  This team of 11 contractors came to Maxton and got almost all of the OSB wall sheathing done and about 1/2 of the ceiling 2X4 purlins installed.  That saved me about 3 weeks of regular labor.  They were joied by a couple of volunteers from St. George UMC itself + 2 volunteers from New Hope UMC in Rowland + 1 volunteer from Beauty Spot UMC.  The St. George congregation provided lunch on Friday and the New Hope congregation provided lunch on Saturday.

This is what I wrote on my facebook page regarding this weekend:
Where do I see the face of God?:  -  When 11 people travel 3 to 4 hours to work at hard labor in the reconstruction of a church for a congregation they do not know, for no compensation, and they do so merely because there is a need – a need which their skills can answer, where God’s people are one-in-harmony, I see the face of God.

In addition to the OSB work, other work done:
New roof installed; new brick steps and wheelchair ramp built in front; all walls insulated; plumbing and electrical rough-ins completed; and framing, electrical, insulation (wall) and plumbing inspections all passed.

For the latest information and more updates, see JP’s blog at:
http://www.klipspringerstudios.com/Board-of-Missions-Contractors.html

Children readying for sleep at AGAPE orphanage.

Conference Contractor JP McGuire is leading a Construction Mission Team to Armenia with tentative dates of July 28 – August 12.    Construction experience is not necessary for this trip, just a willingness to be God’s servant in hands-on building ministry.  Approximate costs of the trip is projected at $3500 – all inclusive.

Our primary construction focus will be either (1) a hospital, (2) an orphanage, (3) a staff house, or (4) low income housing.  We, like all other teams/individuals working in such relief, will work where we are asked to work – according to what is the priority of our host in Armenia.

If any of our team members additionally enjoy working with children, or teaching/sharing specific skills with children (art, game playing, architectural drawing, photography, knitting, crocheting, basket weaving, sewing, etc.) time will be secured for such endeavors.  This is looked upon as a way of building upon the good rapport between our two nations, and a way in which the children/adults of Armenia may practice their English language skills.

Children being instructed in an AGAPE computer class at the AGAPE Christian Education Center.

There is a particular need for persons with computer skills.

The computers in use in Armenia are very old.  Persons able to teach on these are appreciated.  New lap-top computers are sought, and the ability to teach the use of these new computers is also sought.

If you are interested in this life-giving journey with Jesus to the oldest of Christian nations, please contact JP McGuire at:  919-920-7282 or jpmcguire@nccumc.org.

Read more »

Early Responders - You will make a difference!

Two Early Responder Team training sessions this week!  

The mission of an Early Response Team is to provide a caring Christian presence in the aftermath of a disaster, under very specific guidelines that enable the team to be productive and caring while causing no further harm or being a burden to the affected community.  Classes are taught by authorized trainers credentialed by the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).

The following upcoming classes are offered free of charge (including cost of background checks):

Saturday Dec. 10, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at First UMC, 402 N. Main St., Fuquay-Varina  Phone  919-567-8384
Saturday Dec. 10,  8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Love Joy UMC, Substation Rd., Troy  Phone 910 576-4531 

Visit Early Responder Training to register for either session.

Today, through 10-Fold, we journey with our Missionaries serving in the U.S.  One serves here with us in the North Carolina Conference.    Read more of his story below, but before you do, please register at 10-Fold.  Today’s sponsor will donate $1 on your behalf toward the wondrous ministries of our U.S. based missionaries.

Gary Locklear is a General Board of Global Ministries Church & Community Worker and Home Missioner.  Gary is assigned to the Rockingham District Native American Cooperative Ministry in Robeson County North Carolina. Robeson County is one of the poorest counties in the US. Gary works with the thirteen Native American churches in the North Carolina Conference.

His primary responsibility is in the broad area of mission, living into the life of Jesus through Native American interpretation and communicating the story of the ministry.  Gary host’s numerous work teams during the year providing renovation to homes and churches in the community around Robeson and adjoining counties.   In such ministry, the lives of participants are transformed into a greater likeness of Christ, as they reflect on these acts of love and compassion, as they reach out and touch their neighbor, and as they discover Jesus reaching back to them.  It is disciple-making in the fullest sense.  And of course, Read more »

April 16 Tornadoes

Recovery Team Request

The Sanford District has moved into the repair and rebuilding phase of recovery from the April 16 tornadoes and is in great need of skilled recovery teams.

Skilled laborers in the areas of roofing, siding, ceiling tiles, drywall and flooring are asked to contact Heather Locklear at the San-Lee Interfaith Disaster Recovery Center.

Heather M Locklear
Sanford District Disaster Relief Coordinator
SLIDR Disaster Recovery Coordinator
2916 Wicker Street

Sanford NC 27330
(919)775-1724
slidr@windstream.net

Mission Seed Funds are now available.  There is a small amount of funding for 2011.  Funds must be expended within the 2011 calendar year.  Applications are due November 1, 2011.  Funds will be disbursed by November 15.

Seed Fund Applications for the 2012 funding cycle are due November 1, 2011.  Funds will be disbursed by March 31, 2012.

Applications and budget reports can be found at Mission Seed Funds.

Final Reports and Budget Reports are due for recipients of 2011 Mission Seed Funds no later than January 31, 2012.  (Any recipient not submitting a required report will not be eligible for future funding until required reports are received.)

When disaster strikes, the local church usually provides the first response. This basic understanding - that disaster response is local - helps form a foundation for UMCOR's national training and response. First and foremost, UMCOR is a resource for the local response. Photo: Bill KIoplitz/FEMA

Caseworker Training is October 7 and 8.  We need you!

Following any disaster, in order to provide long term recovery, one of the key components that needs to occur is the assessment of damage, the property owners ability to pay for recovery, and the need for charitable assistance.  Part of this process looks at the support received through private insurance, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and other financial resources.  This is an essential action in order for volunteer work teams to then begin the process of repairing/rebuilding damaged homes.

Case Management-the constellation of activity that really is family-by-family problem solving-is the vehicle through which UMCOR (you are UMCOR!) provides long-term recovery.  Local case managers develop relationships with survivors and connect them to organizations that can best help them.  They guide families and individuals through the labyrinth of forms, applications, and organizations they must work with to get the help they need.   Ultimately, case managers help survivors develop their own plan for recovery. UMCOR specifically seeks to help survivors who have the least resources, who are often hiding in the missed spaces of the community and need to be found.

We have a deep need for trained volunteers who can carry the love of Christ through casework.  These folks are a key component of the recovery process and are the face of the NC Conference disaster response family.  Perhaps the small voice of God is nudging you to join in such ministry.  If so, we need you trained and have created a venue for such training.

Casework Training will be held October 7th and 8th at Elizabethtown Presbyterian Church, 800 W. Broad Street, Elizabethtown, NC. Course will be taught by Ricky Hill of UMCOR.  Contact Jim Smith of Bladen Crisis Long Term Recovery Team (H)910-588-4217 or (C) 951-415-8486 or jsmith8716@aol.com.

Maybe God is calling you.  It could be the best ministry you have ever done.  Thank you for responding and more, thank you for sharing the love of Christ.

For more information on UMCOR Domestic Disaster Response and case management, please follow this link.  UMCOR Disaster Response