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Planning for Disaster Response Victories

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  Planning for Disaster Response Victories Douglas Hoy, Conference Disaster Response Coordinator In most sports, the coach prepares the team for a game by developing a plan. This blueprint outlines the strategies and tactics to which players will adhere and execute during competition. Using a plan clearly defines roles and responsibilities, establishes goals, and guides the team toward success. When disaster strikes, it is equally important to have a plan and allow God to bless it for success. This was particularly evident when major flooding swept through the Clarks Summit area (Scranton/Wilkes-Barre District) on September 9 th , catching many people off guard. As a result, nearly 300 individuals and/or families in and around this community just outside Scranton found themselves wondering how to address their wet basements and damaged property. And, when the call for help went out, the response to meeting this need mirrored the work of a well-practiced team entering competition. In th
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HAPPY NEW YEAR

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 “Mary…wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger.” –Luke 2:7 Over the past few weeks, this verse from Luke kept running through my mind. Of course, it is not unusual to hear about the birth of Jesus during the Christmas season. But each time I read it, something more stood out. Now, I know you are going to ask…what more could there be? It’s the story of Jesus’ birth. Mary wrapped Him tightly in a blanket and laid Him in his bed. She used the swaddling technique to soothe her newborn, provide a sense of security and keep him from being startled by the activity in the stable. As I sat in church this morning, the pastor shared Matthew 11:28. And, as he read that scripture the message of comfort became clear to me. “Come to ME, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Our Savior came to comfort us just as Mary did for Him as a baby in that stable. In a few hours, we will enter a new year. As we do, we can choose to take our burdens with us and a
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Shedding Light on Candle Safety

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  Shedding Light on Safety: Candle Precautions for Ministries United Methodist Insurance Program Candles serve as an important symbol in worship for United Methodists; however, if mishandled, they can pose serious threats to both the  sanctity  of the event and the  safety  of your congregation. With Thanksgiving and Christmas quickly approaching, take some time to visit the training tab on the Disaster Response Ministry website to ensure your ministry implements appropriate precautions for a safe, secure and serene holiday season.  DRM Resources – SUSUMC Global Ministries (susmb.org)
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Winter Safety Precautions for Churches

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Winter Safety Preparations for Churches United Methodist Insurance Program As winter approaches, it's essential your ministry has prepared its premises for the colder weather. Please take some time to safeguard your church’s people, property, and finances this winter season by using the comprehensive checklist found in the training tab here.  DRM Resources – SUSUMC Global Ministries (susmb.org)
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Thankful in Advance for Giving

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Thankful in Advance for Giving Douglas Hoy, Conference Disaster Response Coordinator As we approach the season of thanksgiving, many of us have much for which we can be grateful. God has blessed us beyond measure and “so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8). And, having received these blessings, we thank Him with our prayers of gratitude. But is it enough to thank God for what He has already provided? Rick Warren, pastor and author, suggests that while it is absolutely right to be grateful, the true test of faith is to thank God in advance for the things He will provide. In his article, Faith Is Thanking God in Advance , Warren illustrates his point. “If I handed you a check right now for a thousand dollars, would you wait until you cashed it to thank me? No! You’d thank me right now. But the money wouldn’t be yours until you actually cashed it, because that check is really a promise. When I gave you that che
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Commentary: In the Master’s Hands

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Commentary: In the Master’s Hands Douglas Hoy, Conference Disaster Response Coordinator I remember attending the Pennsylvania Farm Show a few years ago and viewing the butter sculpture on display in the Main Hall. I was always amazed at how much time and effort went into creating these dairy displays. The sculpture for the 2023 annual show took fourteen days to create and, the sculptors spent that time creating their masterpiece in an enclosure cooled to a temperature between 50 and 60 degrees. It’s quite a contrast to the artists at outdoor festivals whom I’ve watched create ice or wood sculptures in a fraction of that time, in very different conditions, using some very rudimentary tools. In both instances, the result was a wonderful piece of art. God works in much the same way. Sometimes it takes Him years to sculpt us into a masterpiece. He pulls away the layers slowly and methodically to give us our spiritual shape. Other times, He is very capable of transforming our lives overni
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Sitting at the Crossroads of Life

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Commentary: Sitting at the Crossroads of Life By Douglas Hoy, Disaster Response Coordinator Have you ever found yourself sitting at a crossroad in life, wondering what to do? You know you can’t just sit there. You need to make a decision. Does your life’s path require you to continue in the direction you are traveling? Maybe you need a clear change in your circumstances and need to consider turning left or right. Or, are you so far away from your starting point, that returning to the familiar might be the best option. These crossroads in life can take many forms and cause us to struggle. Fear, sadness, anger and grief begin to creep into our lives. And, when these emotions begin to take over, we lose sight of our destination or the path to it. Margaret Benefiel states In her book, Crisis Leadership , that it is at this point we should “sit still long enough and be quiet” and allow God to do amazing things around us. Resist the urge to forge ahead under the assumption that the road we a
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Why Disaster Response?

Why do we do disaster response?
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Without you, there are only disasters

https://youtu.be/zGYHJCyNwpA
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Fulfilling the Law by Putting Love into Action

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Douglas Hoy, Conference Disaster Response Coordinator On Palm Sunday, I listened as the pastor shared a message focused on the reality that how you treat others will have an eternal impact, for us and those with whom we interact. During his sermon, he posed a few questions to the congregation. Who is the person you most admire? Who is that person who has left a lasting mark on your life? Is there someone who has invested time in you and made you feel valued? Who was there for you at just the right time to make a difference?  He went on to explain that no matter who each person in the congregation identified, there were similarities in the reasons they were chosen. When someone takes the time to intentionally lift us up, they are humbly showing and sharing compassion while living and loving like Jesus. In addition to taking a personal interest in us, they are allowing Jesus to use them and to be seen in and through them. And, while we benefit from their actions, their reason
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UMCOR Sunday 2023

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Have you heard the bells…and the message?

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Have you heard the bells…and the message? Douglas Hoy, Conference Disaster Response Coordinator Last month, my wife and I took the opportunity to go on a date. We decided to take in a movie entitled “I Heard the Bells.” The storyline chronicled how poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow came to write the poem that eventually turned in to a popular Christmas carol. After seeing the movie, I was intrigued by the portrayal of Longfellow’s life, decided to do a little research, and familiarize myself with his writings. The result of that exploration revealed that, while he was considered the most popular poet of that time, Longfellow also lived a real and relatable life. Without giving away the entire story line, he lived a simple yet very happy life. He experienced family struggles, grief and healing. He was drawn into the conflict created by a charged political and social climate. He grappled with keeping promises and addressing teen rebellion. Longfellow was a widow and single father after tr
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