South Carolina Flooding Deployment Information
From the WNCC Disaster Response Team:
We have just been informed that the South Carolina Conference Disaster Response ministry has invited ERT's from North Carolina ONLY to deploy to the flooded disaster zone.
If you wish to deploy, you MUST contact your District Disaster Response Coordinator- contact info at wnccumc.org/disasterresponse - and let him/her know of your availability.
Please pay close attention to the following details:
- Prepare to be on site no longer than 3-4 days.
- You must be totally self sufficient, the SC Conference will arrange for you to stay at a local UMC church, however you must provide your own bedding, personal items, towels, food, tools, transportation, and money for any supplies needed.
- You MUST have a current ERT badge.
- Do not take any items to be donated unless specifically asked to do so, such as bottled water, clothing, food, flood buckets, etc.
- Take photos, but ask permission first before taking photos of disaster survivors. Do not post to FaceBook or other social media. Respect the privacy of the survivors.
- Be willing to listen to the stories of the survivors. Many of them just need a listening ear to be able to process this horrific event.
- Ask your church to donate to UMCOR US Disaster Response Advance #901670 as a way of participating in the recovery effort.
- Check your immunization record, preferable that you have had a tetanus shot in the past 5 years.
- Things to take with you- black trash bags, rakes, shovels, gloves, face masks, first aid kit, hand sanitizer, brooms,hammers, pry bars, generator (if you have one), lights to illuminate homes without power, drop cords, a bible signed by all team members to give to the homeowner(s).
- Above all, be safe, don't take any chances, don't try to be a hero.
Resources for Vital Congregations
CHURCH LEADERSHIP
Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Lewis Center for Church Leadership: Books
Lewis Center for Church Leadership: Serve Your Neighbor
GBHEM Leadership Resources
Living Faithfully: Human Sexuality and the United Methodist Church
Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations
Ted Talks: The Power of Vulnerability
Ted Talks: The Price of Invulnerability
Meditations on the Ministry of All Christians
DISCIPLE FORMATION:
A Disciple’s Path; A Guide for United Methodist
Lewis Center for Church Leadership: Adult Christian Studies from the Wesley Ministry Network
Traveling Together: A Guide for Disciple Forming Congregations
WESLEYAN STUDIES:
Living As United Methodist Christians
Methodist Doctrine: The Essentials
Reclaiming our Wesleyan Tradition: John Wesley’s Sermons for Today
John Wesley Sermons: Anthology
REACHING PEOPLE:
Evangelism & Theology in the Wesleyan Spirit
Fresh Expressions: Dinner Church
Lewis Center for Church Leadership: Reach New Disciples
Lewis Center for Church Leadership: 50 Ways to Reach People
Community: The Structure of Belonging
RESOURCES TO CONNECT WITH THE COMMUNITY:
GRANTS:
The Royce and Jane Reynolds Ministry Fund Grants
OTHER:
The Appalachian District Church Vitality Team has been prayerfully seeking ways to help support you and the ministries of your local congregation during this COVID-19 pandemic. Together they have diligently researched and connected with others throughout the conference and our denomination to identify resources and offer them to you. We hope they will be helpful to you and bless you greatly in leading your churches and communities through this unprecedented time. We are very grateful to the District Vitality Team and other contributors for their great work on this resource.
This faithful team has created three documents, two of which you are receiving today. They include:
- Family Home Worship – designed to help families establish a regular worship space within their homes as well as a time where they can worship together.
- Tech Strategies – to help guide you in selecting effective tools and resources within your budget to best communicate in the digital world.
We believe these resources will be of great benefit to you. Also know that the District Vitality Team is available to answer any questions you might have in regards to the documents attached. If you have questions, you may email Rev. Howard Fleming at hfleming@wnccumc.net.
- Resources