Support UM News on World Press Freedom Day: Give to help sustain and expand the storytelling capacity of UM News. Your donation today will transform information into inspiration and ensure we can continue sharing stories of God’s work in the world through The UMC. Help us reach our $10,000 goal and keep this vital ministry fair, faithful, trusted and free for all!

NYAC Bishop McLee Visits Staten Island

November 15, 2012

 Dear New York Annual Conference Family:

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. Last week, I visited Staten Island to share with the survivors and relief workers responding to Hurricane Sandy. Friends, the view on the ground revealed a level of devastation that has created a wide swath of wreckage. While it is tempting to remain in the grief that is a natural consequence of disaster, God calls us to a different response. There are signs of hope in the midst of the storm’s aftermath.

While in the New Dorp Beach neighborhood, we encountered members of the military, Occupy Wall Streeters, police personnel, and a variety of community organizers. Among the responders was the Reverend Dale Ashby and a team from Colchester Community UMC in the Western Catskills. Also providing leadership was layperson Theodora Cross, of the Faith UMC on Staten Island, who is an Emergency Response Trained (ERT) volunteer. Sister Theodora coordinated a cross section of church-based and other community participants in the cleanup effort.

During our time at New Dorp Beach, I encountered a young woman who was a veteran volunteer responder. She remarked that she was new to New York and a United Methodist. As we continued conversing, it became clear that she was looking for a church home. I shared a few geographical possibilities and we returned to the task at hand. In the midst of challenge, God provides hope. Folks from the Western Catskills joined new friends from New York City in an effort to make a difference.

I also encountered a man standing in front of his house which had been shaken off of its foundation. When he learned that we were United Methodists, he began talking about the author C.S. Lewis who though Anglican is sometimes associated with Methodism. This enlightened conversation occurred steps from the wreckage of a destroyed home, hope in the midst of struggle.

Beloved, as you journey remember that God does some of God’s best work in times of trial. Just ask Job, or the woman with the issue of intense bleeding. Let us continue in our journey of being part of God’s response to the trial of Hurricane Sandy. God expects nothing less.

All my prayers,

Bishop Martin D. McLee


Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now
General Conference
The Rev. Gabriel Banga Mususwa. Photo courtesy of the author.

An appeal to hold General Conference outside US

The United Methodist Church’s top assembly has never met in the central conferences; the decision to hold the 2028 gathering in Minneapolis should be rescinded.
Disaster Relief
Patrick Abro (left), a United Methodist missionary serving as health operation manager in the Burundi Conference, and the Rev. Cimpaye Valentine (right), Bujumbura District superintendent, hand a bag of rice to flood survivors in Cibitoke, Burundi. With financial support from the United Methodist Committee on Relief, the church helped 140 households affected by severe flooding in the district. Photo by Jérôme Ndayisenga, UM News.

Church supports flood survivors in Burundi

With financial support from the United Methodist Committee on Relief, the church has distributed food and other supplies to hundreds of flood survivors.
Disaster Relief
An uprooted tree lies across a crushed car in the neighborhood of Grace United Methodist Church’s parsonage in St. Louis. United Methodists are responding in Missouri, Kentucky and other states after violent storms tore across the central U.S., leaving at least 28 people dead. Photo by the Rev. Katie Nix, Grace United Methodist Church, courtesy of the Missouri Conference.

Churchgoers respond to deadly US twisters

United Methodists in Kentucky and Missouri, among other states, are trying to bring relief after deadly tornadoes wreaked havoc this weekend. They also offer ways others can help.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved