Disaster response update:
Tornado tears away Spavinaw steeple

A stormy night on Wednesday, April 17, resulted in tornado damage to 33 homes and the United Methodist Church in Spavinaw, Okla., which lost its steeple. That night, the church sheltered about 30 people in the town northeast of Tulsa. Despite the damage, the church then also served as a staging area for the Red Cross and a feeding station. In her first clergy appointment, Lora Stiles is pastor there and at Salina. Among the...

UMCOR grants $100,000 for wildfire recovery

By Holly McCray The denomination’s emergency relief agency awarded a $100,000 grant in December to help Oklahomans recover from disastrous summer wildfires. The money from UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, will fund case management, which is one-on-one work with disaster survivors over the long term. "It’s very difficult, time-consuming, and emotional working with families to help them put...

Volunteers helping wildfire victims

Richard Norman and Christy Smith, standing, and Velma Carriaga, seated. When wildfires ignited in four Oklahoma counties this summer, United Methodists quickly offered church facilities as shelters and resource centers. The flames have been doused, but UMs continue to give aid, confirmed Richard Norman. The Conference VIM coordinator of disaster response knows recovery requires a long-term...

Oklahoma wildfires: Update No. 2

Aug. 13, 2012 From Rev. Richard Norman, Disaster Response Coordinator Volunteers In Mission, Oklahoma Conference   Oklahoma wildfires: Update No. 2   Damage totals grow   Several areas in Oklahoma have been devastated by wildfires since Aug. 3.  More than 400 families have lost their homes, according to estimates. More than...

Disaster Response Ministry: Field reports

Tushka, 2011 By Daniel Ramey Driving through Tushka in the first days after the April 14, 2011, tornado reminded me of an ant hill that someone poked with a stick. People scurried everywhere. It was easy to sense just how much people wanted to help. The genuine concern and compassion were overwhelming.  Then weeks went by and other tragedies drew attention elsewhere. But Tushka was still...

Sunny generosity follows storm in Harrah

Trustees Chairman Bill Spencer, left, and Sam George stand in front of the 80-kilowatt generator donated to Harrah UMC. At right, a ground crew directs as a crane lowers the equipment into place. Kneeling behind is Harrah electrician Mike Baker, with church member Marty Fry beside him. ...

After a storm, how can we help most?

After a major disaster strikes, compassionate people everywhere want to help. Think before you give or go. The UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) website offers these questions to guide responses that will be the most helpful. • Is the organization reputable? How much of your gift will go to disaster response and how much will be used for administrative costs? • If you are donating goods, has there been a direct request for the items? Sometimes it is more labor-intensive...

How can we help?

By Richard Norman, Disaster Response Coordinator       At New Light UMC in Lawton, Steven Clay of Carnegie UMC maneuvers carefully while trimming a tree damaged by the late January ice storm. ...

Disaster Response Ministry

Ron King and Richard Norman, inside trailer, direct tours of a shower trailer, on display Feb. 28 at the Lawton District Local Church Leaders Workshop, held at Centenary UMC in Lawton. Three districts—Clinton, Lawton, and Woodward—jointly maintain two disaster response trailers: a tool supply trailer and this one, which has three bathrooms. Rev. King is pastor at Carnegie and Mountain View churches. Rev. Norman is coordinator of Disaster Response with Oklahoma Volunteers In...

When the Body is broken

VIM’s Kristin Terrell-Wilkes, left, and Mary Alice Young sort health kits for Haiti. "We thank you. You have kept us in your prayers, and we are grateful. You have sent donations through the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). You have expressed selfless interest in volunteering to come to Haiti to help ... "Teams of Volunteers In Mission (VIM) will be integral in...