UMCOR

Cedar Key United Methodist Church, located near where Idalia made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane, is experiencing flooding for the first time in its history because of the record storm surge. Members are scrambling to remove carpeting and linoleum to allow the floor to dry out properly. Photo courtesy of the Rev. Robin Jocelyn.

United Methodists begin Idalia recovery

After the monster storm roared onto land, United Methodists in the U.S. Southeast were assessing the damage and responding to immediate needs. Church members from neighboring states also were quick to offer a helping hand.

Disaster Relief

Judy Cramer’s family home, before and after the devastating wildfires in Lahaina, on the Hawaiian island of Maui. Cramer lives now on Oahu, in the community of Kaneohe, where she attends Parker United Methodist Church. But she grew up in Lahaina and she and her brother were visiting in the family home when the Aug. 8 fires forced them to evacuate. Photos courtesy of Judy Cramer.

United Methodist connection at work for Maui

Churches, conferences are giving generously in relief of the Hawaiian island devastated by wildfires.

Disaster Relief

At their 2023 Jamboree in West Virginia, Boy Scouts put together 5-gallon flood buckets, also known as UMCOR Cleaning Kits, equipped with laundry detergent, household cleaner, insect repellent, other cleaning supplies, N95 masks, and more. Photo courtesy of the West Virginia Conference.

Scouts assemble 5,000 flood buckets

West Virginia United Methodists played an important role at the 2023 Boy Scouts of America National Jamboree in Mount Hope, West Virginia. Throughout the 10-day Jamboree many of those Scouts helped assemble 5,000 flood buckets for the church’s West Virginia Conference Disaster Ministries.

Disaster Relief

Though a sign survived, the Lahaina United Methodist Church sanctuary was destroyed by the Aug. 8 wildfires that swept through the town of Lahaina, on the Hawaiian island of Maui. Photo by Tiffany Winn.

Special sanctuary lost in Maui fires

Lahaina United Methodist’s historic, beloved worship space was among the many structures destroyed last week.

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