The Conference Disaster Response Ministry shares in a partnership with the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), to respond to disasters of all kinds. It provides communities with relief assistance as they face the recovery process. The ministry works through the local church to support readiness, response, relief/recovery, and restoration efforts. Much of this is accomplished through cooperation, coordination, and collaboration within the United Methodist connection as well as through the larger disaster response community. At times, it is necessary to focus our efforts on equipping those in that connectional system with the resources and equipment they require to continue ministry and mission. And, this was the case as the pandemic took shape.
Many church leaders were faced with the question of how to continue ministry in a safe and sanitary way while adhering to the guidelines offered by the Governor and Secretary of Health and supported by Bishop Park. It became evident that the demand for personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies would challenge the nation’s supply chain. In turn, it became even more challenging for those leaders to acquire the needed supplies and equipment. And, while the Disaster Response Ministry was able to immediately assist with determining the collective needs of the Annual Conference, it was not clear how those needs were going to be met.
In in the book of Luke, we read and learn how important it is to give generously. Jesus teaches that, as we share the gospel, we should do so with an attitude of overflowing love and kindness, because someday we shall reap what we sow. And, those offerings will be returned in the same measure by which they were given, “pressed down, shaken together and running over, [it] will be poured into your lap” (Luke 6:38, NIV). Let that sink if for a moment. Whatever we are doing in ministry and mission, we will receive in return in measured proportion to what we have given.
When you consider this, what form of measurement are you using when you share with others in your community? How big is your congregational measuring cup? And, what kind of measure will you receive in return? A cup...a pint...a quart...a gallon...perhaps bigger? As the Disaster Response Ministry contemplated meeting the needs of the Conference, the answer was figuratively “poured into our laps,” in the form of hand sanitizer, 55 gallon drums to be exact. Through partnerships with UMCOR, FEMA, and other Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), the ministry was blessed beyond measure with nearly 900 gallons of hand sanitizer and 50,000 face coverings.
With a blessing this size, congregations throughout the Conference could now be equipped to continue reaching into their communities as they faced the challenges of pandemic survival. And, with assistance from a larger number of God’s servants, who answered the call of Isaiah 6:8, saying “Here am I. Send me,” 16 drums were distributed throughout each District and face coverings delivered to the District Offices. But, the overflowing of blessings did not stop there.
…Pressed down, Shaken Together, and Running Over
Scripture calls us to “Carry each other’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2), looking out for the interests of others (Philippians 2:4), while using “whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10). And, congregations throughout the Annual Conference have taken this to heart in a very meaningful way.
Schools across the nation have certainly struggled to provide a safe and sanitary educational environment for students in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. A number of congregations have stepped in to help by opening their facilities as remote learning sites (See September issue of the LINK). In an effort to support them, the Disaster Response Ministry reached out. And, as a result of our large measure of blessings and your faithful and continued giving to shares of ministry, unmet need were filled, including face coverings, hand sanitizer, touchless thermometers, and access to cleaning supplies.
A number of churches in the Harrisburg District have partnered with the Community Classrooms initiative to provide a safe environment where students can learn. The Journey Church (Harrisburg) is providing a full day community classroom experience for students in the Harrisburg School District.
“We decided to open up as a remote learning site because it is a vital need in our community and we believe the church should be meeting those needs wherever possible. Providing a safe space for kids where they can get access to the internet and loving adult support,” said Pastor Kris Sledge.
“In Matthew 25, Jesus calls us to meet the practical needs of those around us, and during these incredibly uncertain times when a lot of kids don’t have a sense of normal, we are able to provide a safe space for them.”
“The Disaster Relief provided us with extra masks, thermometers, and hand sanitizer that we use every day. One of our volunteers brought in fabric markers on Monday and the students got to decorate their masks. They loved it!”
Linglestown Life’s Rockville campus (Harrisburg) also opened its facilities to students in grades 1-5 in the Susquehanna Township School District.
“We realize that so many students are at home in our district who need extra support, as well as parents/guardians need a break to complete work, care for other kids, or simply to run errands. Our goal is to help care for students and families in this way. The donations of sanitizer, thermometers, and masks from the Disaster Response Ministry will make volunteers and students feel and be safe in our learning space,” according to Campus Pastor Taylor Pfaff
Additionally, Highspire United Methodist Church is providing remote learning space to aid Steelon-Highspire students.
Other churches in the York and Williamsport Districts have stepped up to provide remote learning sites for students in their local area as well.
First Church (Williamsport District) is providing a remote learning environment for students in the Williamsport area. They are opening their North Campus to students to give them a safe space to do their work. And, while the main focus is academic, they are using the opportunity to introduce students to the Bible through stories, songs, and prayers.
According to Ben Conrad, Director of Community Engagement, “When our area went to a hybrid school schedule due to COVID-19, it was clear that our community needed people who could step up and step into the need of child-care and supervised education.”
“The resources the Disaster Response Ministry was able to provide First Church, “will allow us to continue providing this necessary service to our community.”
First United Methodist Church of Chambersburg and Stewartstown UMC (York District) are also hosting learning support centers for local students in the community.
“The face coverings we received from the Disaster Response ministry will allow us to continue to keep students and staff safe,” said Pastor Steven Livermore, First UMC.
“Our most difficult task right now is maintaining a sanitary environment for the students,” according to Sandy Pietrowicz, Director of Children’s Ministries at Stewartstown UMC. “Assistance from the Disaster Response Ministry has eased this burden, allowed us to maintain a safe environment, and continue this mission of love.”
We are reminded in Hebrews 6:10, that “God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.” Because of the many blessing we received and acts of service and help from across the United Methodist connection, we can continue to let our “light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
