Dear WPA Pastors and Mission Leaders:
We are still collecting Cleaning Buckets, Health Kits, and Bedding Kits as well as monetary donations through Advanced Special #wv2016. I know that many local churches have been gathering those items and we will continue to receive these at the Conference Center and the Eastbrook Mission Barn and its satellites for the next few months. Items may be dropped off at any time, even after hours, at the UM Conference Center or Eastbrook Mission Barn at your convenience. The response and recovery in West Virginia is anticipated to last as long as five years and we are prepared to live up to our UM reputation to be there through the end as "the last to leave."
Teams to West Virginia
West Virginia UMC is now inviting teams from surrounding areas in to serve. Badged Early Response Teams as well as untrained VIM teams are invited to come and will be placed according to training and skill levels. Recommended length of service is between 3 and 6 days for now. Individuals doing mucking out and cleanup need to be age 18 and up.
Attached is a form for teams and individuals to use to schedule a team. At this time, this form and all United Methodist requests to volunteer should be directed to WVUMC VIM Coordinator, Sandy Binotto at yashe4jc@hotmail.com. Sandy and her team will then be in touch to confirm dates, skills, and further logistical planning. Currently, teams will be placed at work locations but will need to be self-sufficient for all other needs (transportation, housing, food, some tools and supplies.) Church housing may be available for some teams with donation requested.
Western PA Conference will be sponsoring a series of teams over the upcoming months and years. The first Conference team will be August 26-29, 2016 led by Conference Missions/VIM Coordinator, Stephanie Gottschalk. Badged ERTs and untrained volunteers over age 18 are welcome to apply. Estimated cost is $150 plus a donation for materials. Housing is expected to be at a local church (sleeping on air mattresses or sleeping bags.) Space is limited. Individuals should apply using the WPA VIM Team application found online at www.wpaumc.org/Opportunities. Contact Stephanie Gottschalk for more information.
Additional Conference teams in September, October, and beyond are also being scheduled. They will be shared via Conference communications and listed online at wpaumc.org/opportunities
Disaster Spiritual and Emotional Care Volunteers Needed
The WV Department of Health and Human Resources (WVDHHR) will soon place crises counselors in Disaster Recovery Centers but they are still hiring and training their counseling workforce, The West Virginia Council of Churches and the UMC are filling the gap in the meantime. Trained Spiritual and Emotional Caregiver volunteers who are able to come to serve for a short term during the first half of August are needed at these Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) where individuals and families are meeting with FEMA, SBA, and the Red Cross to make their initial applications and hear what support they will or will not receive. Teams are also still needed in the field. When your teams or individuals indicate their willingness to serve, we will coordinate with them to meet their needs for housing, meals, support.
Disaster Response Training Opportunities
Early Response Team Re-Certification is scheduled for August 6 at Heritage UMC in Ligonier.
Additional Early Response Team trainings are being scheduled around the Conference and will be posted online at www.wpaumc.org/disasterresponse. Contact Stephanie Gottschalk or Calvin Cook to request to host a training if you can commit to at least six individuals.
Register Your Teams and Report Back
Please register your plans to send a team to West Virginia through the www.wpaumc.org/RegisterVIMteams and consider welcoming other churches to join you as you plan. Report back after you return, as your experience can help us all to improve the United Methodist response and to address concerns as quickly as possible. Report ALL of your summer mission activities online through the Conference website.
Prayer and Caring
As we stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in West Virginia, we continue to ask that you keep the survivors, communities, and responders in prayer. Ministries of prayer shawls, cards, and other simple items are also welcome and these items can be sent along with registered WPA teams through me. Additional items such as air mattresses, sleeping bags, and tools to assist WPA teams are also welcome to be donated.
In Mission Together,
Stephanie
