Message from Bishop Wallace-Padgett: Responding to Disasters

Dear Friends,

Heart-breaking devastation has been recently caused by weather-related events such as Hurricane Harvey in Texas, the mudslides in Sierra Leonne, fires in the Western US, earthquakes in Mexico and now Hurricane Irma in the Caribbean, Florida and other parts of the Southeastern US. The destruction has left a lot of persons across the world in need of compassion and assistance.

The North Alabama Conference stands ready to help our neighbors, near and far. Many thanks to our Disaster Response Team, chaired by Rev. Randy Burbank, for leading our response effort. Additional team members are Rev. Mike Butler, Mr. Buddy Williams, Mr. Jeff Thrower, Rev. David Tubbs, Rev. Dave Bailey, Ms. Lori Feist, Rev. Charlie Brown, Rev. Marvin McCormick, Rev. Ron Howard and Rev. Tim Alexander.

Here are four ways you can assist our Disaster Response team as they lead us in responding to the immediate crisis.

1. Pray for the family members of the hurricane, flooding, fire, earthquake and mudslide victims . . . the first responders . . . the long-term rebuilding efforts . . . North Alabama and other Disaster Response teams and the ongoing ministry of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).
    
2. Stay informed by texting the word NACNAV to 256-414-8358. You will then receive updates on how to respond in compassionate and helpful ways to persons adversely affected by the recent hurricanes. Among other possibilities, our Disaster Response Team is exploring North Alabama housing options for evacuees, including Red Cross accredited United Methodist Church shelters and camps.
    
3. Give generously to the UMCOR at www.umcor.org or through your local church. Note that 100% of our giving through UMCOR goes directly to disaster relief as all overhead is paid through General Church budgets.
    
4. Collect and deliver supplies for cleaning buckets and other UMCOR kits to and from our Disaster Response Warehouse in Decatur. Many churches have already done this, enabling our Warehouse to ship loads of supplies to affected areas. More cleaning buckets are needed.

We United Methodists are known for not only our immediate but also our long-term response to disaster. Thank you for your ongoing focus and ministry in reaching out to our brothers and sisters in need following the recent weather-related disasters.

As always it is a privilege to serve as your bishop.

Blessings,
Debra Wallace-Padgett
Resident Bishop
North Alabama Conference