Special Edition: October 30, 2012

Emerging from Sandy

NEW YORK (UMNS) - The Rev. Tom Hazelwood, U.S. disaster coordinator for the United Methodist Committee on Relief, summed up the situation in the United States in the wake of Hurricane Sandy on Oct. 30 by noting that the Rev. Wayne Jones, the disaster response coordinator for Greater New Jersey, is "trapped in his house. He's got trees down all around&ellipsis; and he can't get out."

From its first blow to Haiti, Sandy has left a wide path of destruction across the United Methodist connection and is not yet finished. United Methodist News Service, in partnership with UMCOR, will continue to report on the impact of Sandy and the response throughout the connection.
Follow the stories.

Storm reports from United Methodists

AURORA, W.Va. (UMNS) - The Rev. Cheryl George, pastor of the Aurora (W.Va.) Charge, and the Rev. Hector Burgos of Oasis Hispanic Ministry United Methodist Church in Pleasantville, N.J., are just two of the pastors who are trying to help their congregations and communities in the path of Hurricane Sandy. Congregations are reporting damage and beginning response efforts.
Read report from Oct. 30.

Respond to the disaster

NEW YORK (UMNS) - The United Methodist Committee on Relief is offering several ways for people to donate in response to Hurricane Sandy.

• Donate online to UMCOR Hurricane 2012 Advance #3021787.
• Text the word RESPONSE to 80888 to give an immediate $10 donation.
• Call 1-800-554-8583between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. Eastern time to donate by phone.
• Mail a check payable to UMCOR with Advance #3021787 in the memo line, and send it to P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087 or place it in the offering plate at any United Methodist church.

Join in prayer

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - The United Methodist Church is offering a prayer wall on its Facebook page for those affected by Hurricane Sandy. You can join in prayer, share updates and news, and get details on how to respond to the disaster.
Share your thoughts and prayers.

Frankenstorms and the Questions of Why

COLUMBIA, S.C. (UMNS) - "Overcome by the news trickling out of the middle and upper Atlantic regions of the U.S. and the broad swath of tragic effects from Hurricane Sandy, I think there's a message for all who go through the trials of life," writes the Rev. Tim McClendon. Hurricanes, cancer, economic disasters and other calamaties don't come from God, he writes. "Grace is what comes from God."
Read the commentary.

Editor's note

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - As Hurricane Sandy continues to affect U.S. communities and congregations, United Methodist Communications, in cooperation with the United Methodist Committee on Relief, will provide news updates and response information. Because of the loss of power, the extent of the damage in some areas and the overall loss of municipal services from this unprecedented disaster, specific information about storm damage and the needs of survivors has been difficult to obtain.
Watch www.umcconnections.org for all updates.