Up to 500 a day turning to N.J. United Methodist church as it opens doors for community space

With help from church volunteers, Hurricane Sandy has transformed Morrow Memorial United Methodist Church in Maplewood, N.J., into a living room, office, play space and kitchen for the entire neighborhood.

“It’s really become a community center,” said the Rev. Chris Heckert, senior pastor.

Remembering the power outages that afflicted the area during Hurricane Irene and the October snowstorm in 2011, Heckert made the pre-hurricane announcement during Sunday worship on  Oct. 29: If the power remained on at Morrow Memorial, those without “had a place to come.”

Soon, Sandy’s winds toppled trees and utility lines. A Monday morning Facebook invitation from Heckert started the stream of visitors.

By 11 a.m. that day, church members were bringing in neighbors to share Wi-Fi access and multiple cups of coffee from a large, ancient coffeemaker. Volunteers from the congregation of more than 640 lined up to assist. Parents came with kids. An evening movie showing in fellowship hall drew 70 viewers.

By Wednesday, the number of daily visitors had ballooned to 500.

“I made the call that we had this huge building, this resource, and we needed to open it to those who needed it,” Heckert said.

Sometimes, the pastor acknowledged, the enormous size of the traditional stone church building near a section of local shops in Maplewood Village feels like a burden, but, he added, “This week, it’s a ministry asset.”

Church members have organized the effort, Heckert said. Volunteers monitor a sign-up sheet at the door, keeping track as visitors come in and out.

Certain rooms were designated for specific activities. “The library became a quiet working room for adults (and) fellowship hall was a general place for people to work or eat,” Heckert explained. “Downstairs, we pulled out big play toys from our preschool and that’s where kids played. Our youth room became a place for older kids to play and watch movies.”

Cooking became part of the equation after Heckert took in rice and beans and soup on Monday. ”I thought maybe if we got a little food started…people could bring food in. Now, our refrigerator and freezer are filled,” he said. “People are eating and feeding each other and sharing.”

Because much of the community is still without power, some residents are departing to hotels or to stay with relatives. Still, Morrow church was keeping its doors open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday. “From day to day, we’re making decisions about what we’re offering,” Heckert said.

*Bloom is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in New York.


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
Social Concerns
Bishop Julius C. Trimble. Photo by Tessa Tillett for the Indiana Conference.

Love demands compassionate response, prophetic witness

United Methodists have a long history of advocating for the needs of others. Today, that call continues.
Theology and Education
Cliff White. Photo courtesy of the author.

Why our church is in trouble

United Methodist leaders should stop pursuing ideological goals and instead focus on making disciples of Jesus Christ, says a longtime church member.
Mission and Ministry
John Kodjo (standing), a member of Mapamboli United Methodist Church in Kinshasa, Congo, tries to salvage things from his flooded home. Torrential rains and flooding on April 5 damaged over 1,000 homes in the area and killed at least 33 people. Kodjo’s family fled on the roof of their home. Photo by the Rev. Fiston Okito, UM News.

Floods devastate United Methodists in Congo

Thousands have been displaced and two United Methodist churches have been damaged by flooding in Kinshasa, the country’s capital.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved