Harrisburg Tornado

Long after Anderson Cooper’s forgotten how to pronounce Harrisburg, the people of The United Methodist Church will still be making a difference there.

Paul E. Black, our Conference Communication Director, wrote six quick points the day after the Harrisburg Tornado.  They are excellent, especially his last little paragraph —

“Folks have been asking for ways to become involved in the cleanup and recovery:

1. Pray for the people of Southern Illinois. Above every thing else, we can uphold our sisters and brothers, knowing that in these times where our faith is tested, God is the nearest.

2. Take up an offering for the Conference Disaster Relief Fund, Conference Advance Special 6800. These funds will be invaluable in the days and weeks ahead as we respond.

3. Contribute to the One Great Hour of Sharing offering. This Special Sunday offering, which will be taken in IGRC churches on March 11, helps pay the administrative overhead that enables UMCOR to respond and allows for 100 percent of your giving to go to the designated area of need.

4. Collect supplies for the various kits provided by the Midwest Mission Distribution Center. These supplies will replenish the MMDC inventory so that it will be ready to respond to the next disaster. You can get the list of supplies on the Midwest Mission Distribution Center’s website.

5. Participate in Early Response Training. If you feel God is calling you to this ministry of disaster response, consider getting trained. Ironically, a training event was already scheduled in Harrisburg on March 17 with a second training event slated for Kewanee on April 14.

6. Consider assembling a team to assist in the rebuilding. There will be need for persons who have construction, plumbing and electrical skills. But there will also be ways in which folks with other skills and talents can lend a hand. A team of eight from Marion that have undergone Early Response Training are already positioned to respond. We will need to be able to respond as soon as assessments are completed. Contact either Rev. Pete Ryan at 618-771-0366, or Rev. Ed Hoke at 618-942-3219, to see where you can connect. NOTE: Do not go in without getting proper credentials. There is a good possibility you will turned away.

A coordinated response, even if it takes longer, will be more effective in the long run.”