Disaster Response

7/17/25

This week, heavy rains have been devastating the Northeast. It’s the latest in a series of flood disasters.

On July 4, historic rain levels led to catastrophic flash flooding along the Guadalupe River in Central Texas. At least 132 people have died, including 27 campers and counselors from Camp Mystic, an all-girls summer camp in Hunt, Texas. It’s been all over the news, and it is heartbreaking.

Texas is not alone. Flooding is widespread across West Virginia, the Northeast, and other parts of our country. UMCOR is present in all affected areas. 

As efforts after the catastrophic flooding move from rescue to recovery, our prayers continue to be with the people in the path of these waters. We take the opportunity to stand in tangible solidarity with our financial gifts, given through the enduring connectional system of The United Methodist Church.

Let us help move those grieving toward healing and hope.

If you’d like to give to US disaster relief, you can donate to Galilee and put “disaster relief” in the memo or donate directly to UMCOR at this link.

UPDATE 1/23/25

Recently, strong Santa Ana winds in Los Angeles caused wildfires to spread rapidly in multiple communities. Thousands of homes and businesses have been destroyed, as well as multiple local United Methodist Churches. Evacuations and firefighting efforts are ongoing.

Preliminary assessments of the damage is underway. UMCOR has awarded two solidarity grants to the California-Pacific Annual Conference to undergird their immediate relief efforts. This includes evacuee support like food and essential supplies as well as support for volunteer efforts and other relief activities.

Join us in this response.

Ways to Help:

  • If you would like to donate to help California wildlfire victims, give online or send a check and designate for “UMCOR.” We will make sure your donation is received.
  • Download and share information on how to help. View insert.
  • Pray with us, in your own words or by reading a litany for worship written by the Cal-Pac Annual Conference. Read litany.

Thank you and God bless you.

 

UPDATE 10/31/24

Galilee has used money from our Mission & Service fund to buy enough cleaning and hygiene products to fill 45 UMCOR flood buckets. People who come to our Nov 5 Go and Be Fellowship Supper will assemble these buckets as a service project, so we will be praying for and helping our fellow Americans on the night of the election. We can’t think of a better thing to be doing.

 

UPDATE 10/31/24

Floris UMC has assembled an Emergency Response Team to travel to North Carolina and assist those impacted by Hurricane Helene. Volunteers do not need to be ERT certified, as Floris already has sufficient certified volunteers to fulfill the requirement. The team will leave on November 10th headed to North Carolina. Anyone interested in participating should reach out to Tim Wells at Floris by calling (703) 517-0183 or via email at cyacard@comcast.net.

Additionally, Galilee is on the list to host an ERT certification class at the church as soon as we are selected. This will provide us with the chance to have trained members available on-site.

October 17, 2024

As multiple massive storms hit our and neighboring nations, our hearts are filled with grief. We pray for our friends and neighbors. We stand ready to help.  

As United Methodists, we know disaster response. UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, is one of the major disaster response agencies in the country and around the world.

Here is what our Virginia Conference UMCOR leaders are telling us they need right now:

Flood buckets

• All of the hygiene buckets collected at this year’s Annual Conference are in the process of being deployed to the areas of most need–so thank you!

• Now we need more. If you, your family, your small group, your office, or your community group are interested in making buckets, this is how you do it.

• Galilee can help get the buckets where they need to go, either to our Mission Central depot in Mechanicsburg or to one of several temporary collection sites.

• Please let us know if you are planning to make flood buckets, so we can arrange to get them where they need to go.

Financial Generosity

• Right now, financial gifts have the biggest impact to help with relief efforts.

• A donation of just $75 will cover the cost of a flood bucket, so if you’d like to make a bucket but are unable to…make a contribution.

• When you give to disaster relief through UMCOR or Galilee, give generously. 100% of your gift goes to disaster relief. Overhead costs do not come out of your donation, but are borne by apportionments and regular church giving.

Trained Volunteers 

•  We utilize Early Response Team certification to ensure people who will be onsite in disaster response have appropriate training. Remember – the first rule is do no harm.

•  If you are ERT certified, thank you! You will receiving email communication from your team leader about next steps very soon.

• If you are not ERT certified but want to be a part of an on-the-ground response team to assist with relief efforts, we are organizing multiple trainings around the Annual Conference in the coming weeks:

— Saturday, October 26 in the Coastal Virginia District
— Saturday, November 9 in the Richmond Area

• More details will follow for both and any additional trainings that will be offered. Email the office if you are interested in attending ERT training.

Please join us in prayer for the people affected by Helene and Milton: people who are suffering acutely.