Greensburg UMC
      

Church and Parsonage after destruction

United Methodists Respond to Natural Disasters

May 9, 2007

Statement from Kansas Area Bishop Scott Jones:

We are deeply saddened at the tragic tornados and flooding in Kansas this weekend. The community of Greensburg clearly suffered the worst, but other communities have also been affected deeply.

We are praying for the victims of the Greensburg tornado Friday evening as well as those who suffered loss in the tornados on Saturday and Sunday evening across Kansas. We continue to pray for those who are experiencing flooding following the heavy rains associated with this group of storms.

A Christian's response to natural disaster is to focus on the love of God from which nothing can separate us. We live by hope and faith in God. It's our calling in times like these to bear witness to that hope in word and deed. Toward that end, we are already at work in these communities to be bearers of God's love in times of trouble.

We are grateful for the outpouring of prayers and financial support from our United Methodist sisters and brothers around the country. Our connectional church allows for God to work quickly and effectively to accomplish God's mission through us.

As always, United Methodist Committee on Relief, in cooperation with the Kansas East and West Conferences, will be providing humanitarian assistance to victims of these tragedies. In Greensburg, this will include the Hot Foods trailer serving meals and volunteer teams assisting with debris removal and clean up.

Two financial vehicles are in place for responding to this disaster. The Kansas Area Disaster Relief Fund has a long history of responding to natural disasters in our state. It provides humanitarian relief to those in need. A new fund, Rebuilding Kansas Churches Fund, will assist congregations whose buildings have been damaged or whose ministries have been disrupted.

Ways to give to help tornado victims

Checks and donations can be designated to either the

“Area Disaster Fund”

This goes to general relief…supporting recovery volunteers and those whose homes have been damaged by tornado and flooding. This will mainly help PEOPLE

“Rebuild Kansas UMC churches”

This is a fund directly to benefit PROPERTY—the rebuilding of the Greensburg Church and parsonage as well as Trousdale UMC which also received heavy flood damage.

Checks can be made out to either:

1. Woodland UMC, with one of the two funds designated (This helps Woodland, and is our preference) and given in Sunday offering or sent to church office.

or

2. Kansas West Conference, and sent to 9440 E Boston Ste 110, Wichita, KS 67207

Or donations can be made on-line at www.kswestumc.org