Churches Dealing with Disaster

When disaster strikes, United Methodists respond with prayers and support.

Find out how you can be a part of relief efforts. Follow news coverage or the United Methodist News Service page on Facebook.

Check for information about local churches or conferences.

Learn from the stories of United Methodists congregations that have faced hardship, healing and hope after disasters.

Useful Links

• United Methodists Responding to Disaster
• Top four worst, and best, ways to help after a disaster
• The theology behind disaster relief, recovery

Resources

• United Methodist Committee on Relief
• Top Four Worst and Best Ways to Help after a Disaster (PDF)
• United Methodist Insurance

Disaster preparedness and response

Storms and flood

Part I of this series shares how the United Methodist Committee on Relief responds to disasters. The next four segments tell the stories of three churches — in Alabama, Indiana and North Dakota — that are recovering from tornadoes and floods.

• When disaster hits: Churches must prepare
• When disaster hits: Lessons from others
• Disaster recovery: Minot celebrates beginnings
• Disaster recovery: Harvest reaps blessings
• Disaster recovery: Indiana town bounces back

Fires

During 2012 and early 2013, fire destroyed or damaged more than a dozen United Methodist church properties across the United States. This special news series reported on the damage from those fires, the response to the affected congregations and what churches can do to protect themselves.

• Church fires challenge United Methodists (Part 1)
• Arsonists torch four neighboring churches (Part 2)
• Church fire offers 'moments of deep grace' (Part 3)
• How do you protect your church property? (Part 4)

Related Stories

• Jesus and UMCOR calm the waters
• Bishop's prayer for those affected by Midwest flooding