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

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.

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

“The mission of an Early Response Team is to provide a caring
Christian presence in the aftermath of a disaster.”

 It’s Saturday afternoon in Eastern North Carolina.

Since this time last Saturday, as each hour has passed, countless families in the small communities that make up the New Bern, Elizabeth City, Greenville and Rocky Mount Districts of our Annual Conference have been trying to begin the process of putting their lives back together.  But it sometimes appears to be an insurmountable task for the survivors.

Stress levels are high, hearts are broken and the destruction is widespread. For many of these folks, there is no one to help them remove the water-soaked furniture, carpet and personal belongings from their homes.  No neighbors. No family. No one.

Yet, as of this morning, few have responded to help.  The question has already been asked, “Where is the United Methodist Church?”

Due to the critical need and the level of response to date, volunteers, regardless of previous disaster experience or length of availability are needed and will be deployed as soon as possible as per the following guidelines.

GENERAL GUIDELINES Read more »

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).

UMCOR is YOU. UMCOR Responds to Disaster. Photo: Bill Koplitz - FEMA

Team members are issued identification badges that identify them as individuals who have received appropriate training and approvals to assist communities in the early days after a major disaster. In order to serve as an authorized Early Responder, volunteers must:

Complete the basic class led by an authorized trainer
Pass a Safe Sanctuaries Background Check
Score >70% on the ERT class quiz

Cost: $30.00 – covers training materials and lunch.

The following classes are offered in the coming weeks:

Fayetteville District:
Saturday June 4, 2011
8 AM – 4 PM

Salem UMC
2165 Middle Road
Eastover, NC 28312

Visit www.nccumvim.org/tltregistration.htm to register.

Goldsboro District:
Saturday June 11, 2011
8 AM – 4 PM

MERCI
676 Community Drive
Goldsboro, NC 27530

Visit www.merciumc.org to register.

Project AGAPE Christian Education Center

You are invited to journey to Project AGAPE, Armenia as part of a NC Conference mission team.  The team is a combined Construction and Medical team to the town of Bedzor, Armenia.   The trip is scheduled to be approximately two weeks in length and is planned for the the September 1-20, 2011 time frame.  Please contact JP McGuire at jpmcguire@nccumc.org, or at 919-920-7282 for more information or to apply.

Armenia is a nation with an extremely long history; and unfortunately that history has included great pain, over and over again – from both natural disaster and by human hand.  Coming at the end of a generation of Soviet occupation, on Read more »