The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has extended until Monday, June 18, the deadline to register for aid for those who suffered losses or damage from hurricanes Maria and Irma, which struck Puerto Rico in September 2017. Maria devastated much …
Disaster response grows, but Puerto Rico’s recovery is slow
In Puerto Rico the 2018 hurricane season began June 1, with over 11,000 residents still lacking electrical power and an estimated 5,000 or more lives lost from the September 2017 hurricanes Maria and Irma, based on a new Harvard University …
2 disaster response trainings set for July 14
The Eastern PA Conference’s new Disaster Response ministry team will sponsor two simultaneous training events for UM Volunteers in Ministry (UMVIM) July 14, from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, at West Lawn UMC, Reading. One training will be for people …
Special Appeal: Puerto Rico
Volunteers are urgently needed to help the Methodist Church of Puerto Rico as they recover from the effects of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Registrations are now being taken for Early Response Teams (ERT) and Long-Term Recovery (LTR) Teams. ERTs should …
Volunteers in Mission Team Leader training, July 14
Learning to show Christian Love in Action The Eastern PA Conference has a new Disaster Response Leadership Team in place and a training event on the calendar for the first time in a while. Anyone wanting to become a Volunteers …
Eastern PA committed to ‘Helping Puerto Rico Rise Again’
With a new missional fundraising campaign underway to support Puerto Rico’s recovery from hurricane devastation, Eastern PA Conference leaders plan to tour Methodist churches and their communities there in February, bringing much-needed prayers and financial aid raised in our conference. …
‘Deacon Greg’ Ellis joins UMCOR staff
The Rev. Greg Ellis, Coordinator of the Eastern PA Conference Disaster Ministry and UM Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) has a new job. He will join UMCOR (the UM Committee on Relief) as the United States Disaster Response (USDR) Program Manager/Response Specialist. Ellis, …
Conference raising funds, sending aid to Puerto Rico
Will launch $100,000 fundraising goal in January By John W. Coleman Like the three kings, or Magi, who journeyed to Bethlehem bearing gifts for Christ’s birth, three Eastern PA Conference Cabinet members will visit Puerto Rico in the coming months …
Ellis helps lead hurricane recovery efforts in Texas
The Rev. Greg Ellis, the Eastern PA Conference’s Disaster Response and Volunteers in Mission Coordinator, has been on the ground in south Texas for over two weeks collaborating in initial disaster response efforts, following the devastation Hurricane Harvey caused there …
Churches respond to disasters with ‘Joyful Generosity’
Numerous Eastern PA Conference churches and districts have actively responded to recent disasters in the past month—especially hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria—prompted by a call for help from Bishop Peggy Johnson and the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). In addition …