Recovery Update

At a recent meeting of state level volunteer groups and agencies, very few long term needs are surfacing in Murfreesboro from the April tornado. We will continue to follow up with local churches and agencies and provide aid as needed. After the July 4th holiday, we may try to draw together some local churches and agencies to discuss current needs, as well as, consider organizing for future events.

Murfreesboro Cleanup

Recovery Has Only Just Begun

The disaster is over, much of the volunteer debris removal will be wrapping up this week, news coverage is moving on . . . but the recovery has only just begun. In the next couple of weeks, community organizations/churches and the members of VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) will continue providing aid. Also, they will begin looking at what unmet needs remain, including those of the uninsured or underinsured. Even for the insured, they will have need of spiritual/emotional care and perhaps advocacy in working with insurance companies.

The wounds of those who've lost love ones, lost homes, lost pets, or lost a sense of security will not quickly heal. Please continue to keep Murfreesboro in your prayers and those partners who will continue to work to bring healing.

Saturday Update

Between 30 and 100 folks have been working daily in tree/debris removal since Saturday. We've filled out the crew for today with a few folks from Loretto UMC and from Nolensville UMC. We hope to finish out the neighborhood St. Mark's and Co. have been working all week. Trinity UMC of Murfreesboro is hauling out their trailer again to grill up some really good lunch. St. Mark's will be available to do periodic followup on small jobs that got missed around town.

We had been parking for days in front of one badly damaged house and didn't realize until a few days ago a Methodist family lived there. As we began working behind their house, one of the owners remarked "You just don't know how much it means for me to see that cross and flame here."

Tale of Two Dogwoods

Two dogwoods, both survivors. One small and planted by the river in loving memory, one large, having lived for years shadowed by cedars, miles from the first. Both survived with barely a mark, when most every tree and home around will never be the same. Both dogwoods blooming, each now the only tree in each's yard. The survival of the first brought a shout of joy from the one who loving planted, along with many gracious thank you's to volunteers. The survival of the second brought words of wonder, a tree that rarely bloomed, now in full flower, standing alone in the full light.

Saturday Cleanup Cancelled

The City of Murfreesboro has canceled the cleanup day for Saturday, April 18, citing safety concerns with large equipment likely to still be running in affected communities. If it is rescheduled, we will pass that information on.

In addition, the outpouring of local volunteers seems to have cleared up most of the general debris, while specialized teams are making very quick progress clearing out downed trees. Many of the uninhabitable homes will need contracted labor to be able to do demolition. For now, it will likely be easier to deploy teams from local Murfreesboro churches to respond to requests that pop up.

Ways to Help

Foremost, prayer.

Cash Donations--We have reserve disaster funds and UMCOR Emergency funds available to use immediately and have made those available. Donations to the Conference Disaster Fund will help with recovery and relief as we go forward. Gifts can be made out to your local church, designated for the TN Conference Disaster Fund and they will be passed along. You can also give online at http://www.tnumc.org/custpage.cfm/frm/30213/sec_id/30213. Conference Advance #104.

Other donations--at this time, only 2nd Harvest is available for material donations and has set up bins at some Kroger stores. Relief organizations have on hand food and clothing (clean, sorted) to provide for immediate needs. See here for the latest other ways to donate http://tennessean.com/article/20090411/NEWS01/904110336

Volunteers--at this time no additional volunteers are needed.

Ongoing Family/Church Readiness--Use resources from FEMA or Red Cross on families having disaster plan and emergency kit. Contact Jason Brock at the TN Conference Office to find out more about developing a Disaster Readiness Plan for your local church. JBrock@tnumc.org, 615-329-1177.

Readiness in Your Community--please consider for the future supporting your local Red Cross with funds and volunteers, as we depend on them being strong and organized for early relief. If you want to be available as a shelter, they can evaluate your building and provide insurance/resources if activated. Help make your local food, clothing, and general help agencies strong, as they will be helpful partners if disaster strikes your community.

Tuesday Update

A few experienced cutters from Mt. Juliet are joining St. Mark's to continue cutting. We're meeting with some of the area pastors and Stephen's ministers to begin looking at what to expect over the next couple of weeks and months. We're especially going to begin looking at the special emotional and spiritual care issues faced by survivors, relief/emergency workers, as well as, others not directly affected by the storms.

See post below info for the city cleanup day being organized by the City of Murfreesboro and be able to tell Jason by Wednesday how many you can bring on Saturday and what they can do. We hope to have more concrete details by Wed. night.

Saturday Cleanup Info

The City of Murfreesboro is in the processing of organizing a cleanup day for Saturday. Local churches are coordinating efforts with the Rutherford County EMA office and other relief agencies. If we have church groups with a leader and a church bus, we are looking at coordinating Methodist teams from outside Murfreesboro. We don't know yet how many we can accommodate, but if we can stage at one location, it will be easier to get them registered through one church. We will likely stage at Murfreesboro 1st UMC, but we will confirm details later.

Please provide a team leader contact, what your whole group can do (feeding ministry, gloves/trash bag crew, or experienced chainsaw workers), and how many you would likely be able to bring. We can only take groups that can pack into their own church bus, as neighborhoods cannot handle tons of traffic. Jason Brock, JBrock@tnumc.org; the city may not be able to accommodate everyone who wants to helps, so it's first come, first serve. We should be able to confirm by Wednesday evening or Thursday morning how many we can use.

Early Response Team Training, May 16

Due to the recent damage in Murfreesboro, we've decided to hold our UMCOR Early Response Team Training in Murfreesboro, exact location TBA. This training is specifically designed for those who would be part of organized and equipped teams to do tarping, cutting, and general debris removal.

We are especially wanting churches to indentify and recruit persons to come to this training who could make a commitment to being a Team Leader, as we often have far more volunteers than we can use because we have no one to direct them. After this training, we will be available to schedule trainings for a local church or group of churches willing to work together to have an organized team. To be contacted with more detailed information on training, please contact Jason Brock at JBrock@tnumc.org.

You are Frontline in Response

When disasters strike your community . . . the first few days most outside help often cannot and should not be there. Neighbor to neighbor, church member to church member, community members to community members become the earliest response that happens. Once rescue efforts have completed and public safety has been restored, more aid from outside can happen. Families and communities can easily be cut off from the outside world for days due to trees, power lines, flooding, etc. and often must take care of there own until that changes.

Does your family have an emergency plan? Does your church know how it will care for its members, facility, and community if disaster strikes? If not contact Jason Brock at JBrock@tnumc.org and our Conference Disaster Ministry will seek to provide you with training, consultation, and resources to help you be Ready.

Possible Weekend Cleanup, April 18-19

The last 2 storms in Sumner County led to community-wide cleanup the weekend following the storm for general purpose volunteers. The response was so great that some groups were eventually turned away . . . which is a good thing. We will be trying to see if a similar effort will be organized in Murfreesboro and let you know how to be a part of it.

Debris Removal Continues

St. Mark's Early Response Teams were hard at work clearing debris again today, their numbers bolstered by a few members from local Murfreesboro churches. Assessment today would indicate much of the major tree/limb removal could be completed by the end of the weekend.

Some experienced crews from Winchester and Tullahoma will be working with them tomorrow and will likely be all that can safely and effectively be used. An official Early Response Team has been invited from the Memphis Conference to provide some help later this week.

Easter Sunday Update

Even as Easter Services will lift spirits, our teams will also put in time lifting debris, cutting trees, and serving meals. Paul Givens, Murfreesboro District Disaster Coordinator, expects they will wrap up cutting in one neighborhood today and then assess the remaining need in the 3 other major impact areas. Based on that assessment, we will decide if or when we call in 3 more teams we have on standby. We've had offer of help from many of our sister conferences in the Southeastern Jurisdiction if or when they are needed. It's good to have such great neighbors!

Jason Brock, Conference Disaster Coordinator, will be continuing to follow up with the District Office and pastors in the affected area, especially focusing on the unique spiritual and emotional needs the community will face in the next 3 to 9 months. Also important, will be having the local churches connected to whatever community long term recovery effort develops, as well as, filling in the gaps of more immediate unmet needs.

City of Murfreesboro has an excellent situation report and map of tornados path http://www.murfreesborotn.gov/

Trinity Serves Food

Rev. Eddie Smotherman of Trinty UMC in Murfreesboro reports 5-person team working in coordination with St. Mark's Early Response Team to provide meals to survivors and relief workers today and tomorrow.

UMCOR Spiritual Care Resources

UMCOR provides some helpful spiritual/emotional guides to disaster trauma, recovery, and care for children/teens. http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/getconnected/resources/spiritualcare/

Comfort of Christ

Murfreesboro 1st UMC offered the comfort of Christ as survivors arrived on their doorstep. They were offered a warm, dry space out of the wind and some food to eat.

Trained Crews Begin Work

3 Methodist Early Response Teams will be at work cutting trees this weekend where emergency personnel have finished their work of search/rescue and clearing hazards. Depending on the need and the local ability to cut and tarp, we can call on other official and equipped Early Response Teams.

Update 6 pm

District Superintendents and/or District Coordinators have been contacted for updates. As of the moment, churches are reporting safe members and no major church damage. It will take time for churches to know for sure and report, especially in areas with severe damage, power outages, or are in remote locations. It will take several days for the scope of damage to be known, though there is at least minor damage in most districts.

Emergency grants have been made available to the Districts in case there are immediate needs they can provide through local churches in affected areas.

District Office contact information: http://www.tnumc.org/DISTRICT_OFFICES/
Rev. Jason Brock, JBrock@tnumc.org, 615-329-1177

Storm Info

We have wind damage in several places across the conference and potentially very severe damage in some areas. Please be sure your pastor or church leaders pass along any information to the District Office on damage to churches and/or community. The first few days after a disaster are reserved for official personnel (police, fire, etc.) for search/rescue and restoration of basic safety. The Red Cross, Salvation Army, and others have the major responsibility to provide shelter and food.

As the community assesses its damage, then, specially trained volunteers would be the first let in to do any debris removal or tarping beyond the "neighbor to neighbor" aid that has been occurring. A week or two after the disaster, more general cleanup volunteers might be needed. In most cases, cash donations are the easiest for district and local response to use for immediate needs, which change on an hourly basis. The Conference Disaster Response Team will make some emergency funds available immediately for affected districts to provide for unmet needs.

You can find contact information for the district offices at http://www.tnumc.org/DISTRICT_OFFICES/. If you have an urgent need and cannot reach your District Supt., until Monday you can reach Rev. Jason Brock, Conference Disaster Coordinator at 615-293-8594. On Monday please call 615-329-1177 before calling the mobile number. Periodically, he will check messages at JBrock@tnumc.org.

Updated information on the disaster, needs, and contact information will be posted at http://tnumcrelief.blogspot.com/

Please keep these many persons and communities in your prayers this Easter weekend.

Cleanup Continues in KY

We’ve had 8 teams go at least once to help clear trees and debris in TN and KY following the ice storm. Most recently we’ve had teams go from St. Marks (Murfreesboro), Lynchburg 1st, and Mt. Zion (Cunningham). Teams can come for a few days or for several.

Please contact the Memphis Conference to schedule a team sometime in the next couple of months as they seek to cleanup the unbelievable number of trees and limbs that fell. 1-877-552-7337. Also, if you have been or schedule a team, please contact me so we can celebrate together how many teams have served in the name of Christ from the TN Conference.

Jason Brock
Dir. Mercy, Mission, and Justice
JBrock@tnumc.org

Servants of Christ Needed for Team

Guy Looney will be leading a team to Paducah next week to aid in cutting trees, clearing debris, and providing spiritual/emotional care to those suffering from the Ice Storm that affected nearly half a million people.

Needed are a few persons experienced with chainsaws, general volunteers, cook(s), and Stephen's Ministers. The cost of food and gas will be covered by the TN Conference Disaster Fund and the Conference truck/trailer will be going. Paducah has space for groups to sleep and a kitchen where they can prepare their meals.

The team will leave from Nashville either Sunday night or Monday morning, work Monday thru Wednesday and return that evening. If you are able to serve or need further information, contact Guy Looney at 615-330-0044.

Grace and peace, Rev. Jason Brock, Dir. Mercy, Mission, and Justice--JBrock@tnumc.org

Memphis Conference Volunteer Information

New information and new phone number.

The latest information from the Memphis Conference indicates they will be involved in tree/limb removal for months to come. Once roads, driveways, and access to electrical service are cleared, many trees and limbs will remain scattered across yards and farms in Western, KY and northern parts of West TN.

Specially trained UMVIM Early Response Teams with heavy equipment are being requested from across the Southeastern Jurisdiction to work in some of the hardest hit areas and deal with the larger trees. Other church or district groups that can do lighter removal will be needed over the next several months. Stephen’s ministers could also be utilized as a part of a group to be listeners to survivors as they provide spiritual and emotional care.

Beginning Monday, February 16, all offers to volunteer through the Memphis Conference will be routed through one toll free number, 877-552-7337. Until Friday, please use 1-866-966-7161. Please contact me with questions, as well as, let me know dates you’ve scheduled. If you are willing to partner with another church or individual who wants to serve, we’d love to connect churches in serving Christ and neighbor.

Lee Stevenson, Mt. Zion UMC, has been invited to bring a team to Webb Memorial UMC in Clay County, KY Feb. 22-24. He may be able to have others join his group. Contact him at 931-237-2355 for more information.

Memphis Conference Requests Volunteers

On a limited basis, the Memphis Conference is available to receive local church volunteer groups to help in NW Tennessee and Western Kentucky. Many of the requests are to remove trees and/or branches from driveways and yards. Not everyone needs a chainsaw and only persons with experience using one should be involved in cutting. One person to cut, several to drag, push, and pull, along with others to talk and pray with residents makes for a great team. If persons on your team can help provide some of your own meals and/or help those churches hosting volunteers, that would be a valuable service. Licensed electricians may be able to help reset boxes on homes so power can be restored. These opportunities subject to various local codes.

Due to power, plumbing, and space issues in some of the churches/communities, their ability to receive volunteers on certain dates will vary. They estimate at least a couple weeks of opportunity for needing volunteers. There are immediate openings for 2-3 teams of 7-10 on Thursday and Friday working out of Goshen UMC in Murray, KY. If you feel called and able to send a group over the next several weeks, please contact the Memphis Conference Disaster Call Center at 1-866-966-7161. They will take your information and forward to those coordinating groups in the three affected Districts. They will call you back to see let you know if they can receive you. Be ready to say when you can come, how many you can bring, and what you can do. If you schedule your group, please let me know so we can keep you in prayer and perhaps connect you with individual volunteers who may not have a team of their own. Please feel free to email or call me with questions you may have.

Currently, the Kentucky Conference is only receiving specially trained UMVIM Early Response Teams. We’ll send out an update if that changes.

Grace and Peace

Rev. Jason Brock 615-329-1177
Mercy, Mission, and Justice 615-293-8594 (mobile)
Disaster Response Coordinator 615-329-0884 (fax)
TN Conference United Methodist Church JBrock@tnumc.org
304 S. Perimeter Park Dr., Suite 1
Nashville, TN 37211