Volunteers in Mission and Early Response Teams (2 simultaneous training events) By the Rev. Russell Atkinson Eastern PA Conference UM Volunteers in Mission Coordinator Pastor of Drexel Hill UMC Explore the world, near and far, through the ministries of Volunteers …
First Conference VIM team brings hope to Puerto Rico
REHACE, the social ministry arm of the Methodist Church of Puerto Rico, stands for Rehaciendo Comunidades con Esperanza (Rebuilding Communities of Hope), an apt description of that church’s mission to help restore the hurricane-ravaged island. Hope. The word is becoming …
Conference VIM team brings recovery aid to Puerto Rico
The first Eastern PA Conference Volunteers in Mission team to work onsite helping Puerto Rico recover from Hurricane Maria is there this week restoring a home in Arecibo. The nine-member, clergy and lay team, from seven churches, including one Lutheran …
UMs struggle for recovery from Florence’s floods
The Rev. Tyler Daniels spent his Sunday not preaching but rescuing hundreds of people from their flooded homes in and around Leland, North Carolina. “We saved a lot of people’s lives,” said the United Methodist pastor, who also serves as …
Volunteering with the Methodist Church of Puerto Rico
How to Get Your Church Involved Eastern PA Conference Disaster Response Coordinator Robert Simcox and the Rev. Russell Atkinson, conference UM Volunteers in Mission Coordinator, organized dual, daylong training events July 14 for people who want to become VIM team …
Conference, churches rally to recover from recent floods
Donations, volunteers needed for disaster response By John W. Coleman “The Eastern PA Conference is operating in full disaster response phase,” said Disaster Response Coordinator Robert Simcox this week. “We are supporting the Schuylkill County area in flood relief.” County residents …
Churches, communities of hope ‘make room for a new future’
By the Rev. Jennifer Freymoyer—On August 15, the Rev. Steve Morton and I traveled to some of the churches and towns most affected by the flooding in our North District. I’ve been in…
More flood damage prompts appeal for help in North District
By John W. Coleman Disaster struck again in Tremont and surrounding towns in Schuylkill County this week. Rainstorms produced flooding in communities throughout our region that some say is worse than the deluge caused by Hurricane Agnes in 1972. Bishop …
Connectional team to respond to local flood disaster
BY JOHN W. COLEMAN Leaders of St. John’s UMC in Tremont, Pa., Schuylkill County, are working with Eastern PA conference and district disaster response officials to help their community recover from recent storm flooding that caused extensive damage to homes …
Conference responding to Puerto Rico’s disaster recovery needs
Efforts to respond to ongoing critical needs of Puerto Ricans affected by Hurricane Maria’s devastation are revving up on several fronts in the Eastern PA Conference. The Rev. Nick Camacho, Project Manager for our conference’s response to Puerto Rico’s crisis, …