Susquehanna Conference Disaster Response

 United Methodist Children's Home - New Name, Same Ministry   Jesus said,  “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”  Matthew 19:14 Last week I had the opportunity to attend a volunteer training event at our United Methodist Children's Home on Simpson Road in Mechanicsburg.  I learned far more than I expected.  When I moved to Pennsylvania two years ago I was told that we no longer had a UM children's home.  Fortunately a member of my church was able to share that rather than losing the United Methodist Children's Home, the ministry has become even stronger. A few years back, the UM Children's Home merged with Everstand.  This did not detract from our ministry but was able to enrich and provide a greater opportunity for the children and youth in our care.  Not only do we provide a safe place to live but this ministry seeks to meet all the various needs of each indivi...

  Feeding the Hungry           Years ago, I served a church that had a food ministry.  Each Thursday morning those who were in need came to the church where stations of food were set up…there were tables of bread and desserts, tables of frozen meat and tables of various produce.  The clients were given the opportunity to shop and choose the food stuffs they wanted which was  dependent on the available food and numbers of clients.  When COVID hit we had to regroup and bag up the groceries and put in the clients’ cars as they drove up.  Can I tell you it was fun and a blessing to walk through the various tables of food picking out a variety of food stuff?  At some point it occurred to me that since our process had become less personal the Associate pastor and I decided to walk along the line of cars and offer to pray with them.  It became one of the best parts of the week.  Some were not interested...

 Last week I heard another amazing story.  It happened at Mission Central while a friend of mine was volunteering.  She was helping to answer the phone and man the reception desk when she got an unusual call.  The call was from a woman who did home nursing.  She had a new patient - a small baby who had been born with Cerebral Palsy.  The baby needed a nebulizer to help with his/her breathing.  Insurance would pay for the medicine for the nebulizer but not the machine itself.  Someone shared with the nurse about the ministry of Mission Central and so she called hoping for the best. My friend, sitting at the desk answered the call and didn't have the answer.  She asked the woman to call back the next day.  As it happened, the next day was the day before Thanksgiving and Mission Central was closed.  Thus, the next week when my friend was once again volunteering at the reception desk the nurse called back.  Amazingly enough Mission...

 MISSION OPPORTUNITIES      Sager Brown, located in Baldwin, Louisiana is been in operation for 150 years first as a refuge for African American children left homeless by the Civil War.  It is now the main hub for UMCOR disaster supplies serving disaster victims world-wide.  Volunteers are encouraged to come for a week or week-end and help prepare supplies.  Sager Brown has also developed some specific opportunities for 2026.  See attached flyers. 

 WESLEY FOREST CLEAN-UP On Saturday, October 18 over twenty individuals gathered to winterize Wesley Forest Camp and Retreat.  A youth group from Bloomsburg as well as individuals from areas Harrisburg, York Williamsport, and Camp Hill and maybe a few in between gathered at 9:30 am to clear trails, insert windows in the Penns Creek lodge, clean off roofs and rake and trim areas around the Penns Creek camp area.  The weather was perfect and the cafeteria fed everyone a great lunch.  Stay tuned for more opportunities to serve.

          On October 5 Carlisle UMC's Volunteers in Ministry team traveled to North Carolina to once again work alongside Carolina Rebuilding ministry for the week.  While there, they  repaired soffits, fascias and painted the outside of the house from white to red. They also replaced the bottom kitchen cabinets and countertop.  Pictures provided. What a great trip!

UMVIM, the acronym for United Methodist Volunteers in Mission, has often been thought of as just the arm of our church that sends volunteers out for mission journeys stateside and abroad.  While that is an important part of the ministry there are many other opportunities.  In fact, it has been said that any mission outside the doors of the local church is an UMVIM project. For example, Shiremanstown UMC, through their Hands and Feet committee, provides monthly opportunities to help their neighbors.  According to team leader Darlene Thomas, “Shiremanstown UMC has been doing their Hands and Feet ministry for 8+ years.  Each month a dedicated group of volunteers helps "neighbors" in our local community with various projects around their property.  They undertake things like yard work, home repair projects and small construction.  During August and September of this year, the teams helped neighbors with yard clean up, taking away debris, and repairing a handica...

Our Susquehanna Conference Disaster Response Coordinator, Deb Currinder, has accepted another position with a school district. Her last day was Friday, August 15, 2025. As Disaster Response Coordinator for the last year, Deb has passionately promoted and coordinated Disaster Response Ministry efforts; including setting up training for Early Response Teams, sending ERTs to disaster areas, deploying with a team to Augusta, Georgia, conducting educational sermons, overseeing Disaster Response/Volunteers in Mission trailers, and representing the conference with several different agencies.  We are delighted to welcome Rev. Sara Shaver as the new Disaster Response/Volunteers in Mission (VIM) Coordinator. Sara has served as pastor of churches of various sizes and formerly as a District Superintendent.  While serving in the Alabama -West Florida Annual Conference, Sara participated in hurricane recovery efforts and led youth mission experiences while serving as a Director of Christian...

The Holy Cows (Christians on Work Service, based at St. Paul UMC, Chambersburg) will be serving in Asheville, NC the week of September 21 to 27th in response to Hurricane Helene disaster.  For more information or be kept informed, please contact Dianne Hetrick at gingervalley21@gmail.com / 717-261-1722  

IMPORTANT. REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE – FARMS AFFECTED BY HURRICANE HELENE Hurricane Helene destroyed hay stockpiles for dairy farmers in Western NC and they are accepting donations from neighboring states. There are farms across PA that have hay to donate but no way to transport them to NC.  If your organization could help with transportation or know someone who can, please reach out to Dave Hearn at Crisis Relief and Recovery: dhearn@crrteam.org, or text ☎️ (814) 246-3636 to arrange pick-up and drop-off locations.

Staying Healthy in a Heat Wave 🌞 As temperatures soar above normal, it's crucial to prioritize your health and safety. Here are some essential tips to help you stay cool and recognize when to seek emergency assistance: 💦Stay Cool and Hydrated: 🥵 Hydrate Often: Drink plenty of water, even if you don't feel thirsty. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, as they can dehydrate you. ☂️ Seek Shade: Limit outdoor activities during peak sun hours (10 AM - 4 PM). Stay in air-conditioned spaces as much as possible. 🩳 Dress Appropriately: Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. Use hats and sunglasses for additional protection. 💨 Cool Down: Take cool showers or baths. Use damp cloths or cooling towels on your neck and wrists. 🥵Recognizing Heat-Related Illnesses: Heat Cramps: Muscle pains or spasms in the abdomen, arms, or legs. Rest in a cool place and drink water. 😩 Heat Exhaustion: Symptoms include heavy sweating, weakness, cold, pale, and clammy skin, fast or weak...

VIM Team volunteers are needed in Tioga County, north central PA. These teams are needed for rebuilding work after Tropical Storm Debby that happened last August. The community needs help with repairs and also includes clean up along the creek beds.Here is the persons to contact for the Tioga VIM work; Kristin Hamilton at Khamilton@developtioga.org and Sue Sticklin at Sue Sticklin ssticklin@tiogapartnership.org. Please contact Deb Currinder at drc@susumc.org for any additional questions.

When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors! Did you know that over 140 people in Pennsylvania have died from lightning strikes since 1959? The most recent happened in April 2023. Thunderstorms are common in Pennsylvania—and that means lightning is, too. Whether you're inside or outside, it's important to know how to stay safe. ⚡ 5 Outdoor Lightning Safety Tips If a storm is coming and you’re outside: Get to Safety Fast: Go indoors or into a hard-topped car right away. When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors! Links to Ready PA Newsletter signup. Avoid Tall Objects: Stay away from trees, poles, and towers. Stay Out of the Water: Don’t swim, fish, or hang out near rivers, lakes or pools. Crouch Down if You Must: If you can’t get inside, crouch low—don’t lie down. Spread Out: If you’re in a group, don’t cluster together. 🏠 5 Indoor Lightning Safety Tips Even indoors, you need to take precautions: Don’t Use Plumbing: Avoid sinks, tubs, and showers—lightning can travel through pipes. Unplug Electron...

Volunteer Opportunity for Hurricane Ida Recovery Efforts  Dear VIM Teams,  We are reaching out to inform you that the Eastern PA Conference is in urgent need of volunteers for recovery efforts following Hurricane Ida (August, 2021). This is a critical time for our community, and your support can make a significant difference.  Currently, there is great flexibility regarding availability, allowing you and your team to contribute as your schedules permit. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Denise F. Shelton directly. She will assist with coordination and paperwork to ensure a smooth process.  It is important to remember that, even though significant time has passed since Hurricane Ida, many survivors are still in the rebuilding phase. Recent reductions in volunteer support due to America Corps cuts have further highlighted the need for help. Together, we can make an impact and serve our community in this time of need.  Please reach out to Denise...

VIM Trip to Asheville, NC Psalm 46 1-2 reads, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Here we are eight months after Hurricane Helene and there is so much devastation still left from the hurricane, but the Lord is near the brokenhearted and saving the spirits through this devastation. A group from Mt. Calvary UMC (Harrisburg, PA - River Valley District) and Faith UMC (Bellefonte - Mountain Valley District) are just returning from a Volunteer in Missions trip to Asheville, NC. As they worked to help the survivors rebuild they saw many things that showed them that this area is still in need of help. As you drive through, there are vehicles that were once functioning that are now junk cars. Many of the businesses that were once thriving are now no more. One homeowner had many raised garden beds, a B&B cabin, a hot tub, green grass, and it is all now wiped away from the storm. This particular family had to climb up the mountain to escape the ragin...

 May 1, 2025 - Six months after Hurricane Helene struck Augusta, Georgia, signs of the storm’s wrath were still everywhere – toppled trees, damaged homes, broken hearts. But in late March, a team of eight volunteers from the Susquehanna and Upper New York Conferences showed up with chainsaws, prayer, and a quiet but steady determination to serve.   For one week, these faithful responders – a mix of trained Early Response Team (ERT) members and first-time volunteers – brought more than tools and skills. They brought presence. They brought hope. And they brought the deep, Spirit-led conviction that no one should face recovery alone.   Their anchor project quickly became what they called the “model house.” Fourteen massive trees had fallen on the property, including one that crashed through the roof. With rain pouring in, the home had to be stripped to the studs. The team threw themselves into the work – clearing debris, replacing floors, mudding drywall, and eve...

Right here in Susquehanna Conference (Central PA) we are in need of teams to help with recovery work (rebuilds) after Tropical Storm Debby brought devestation to several of our counties. In particular northern Tioga County will be looking for some VIM teams over the next few months. We are currently working through the particulars with Tioga County personnel. Please stay tuned for updates!

6 Ways to Protect your Home from Spring Flooding Spring is coming, and with it, the risk of flooding. Heavy rains and melting snow can lead to water damage in homes, but the good news is that you can take steps now to protect your property. Here are six easy ways to keep your home safe from floods: Duck in flood water. Links to Ready PA Newsletter signup. 1. Check Your Flood Risk Before you do anything else, find out if your home is in a flood-prone area. You can use this tool to check your flood risk. Even if you don’t live near a river or stream, heavy rains can still cause flooding, so it’s always good to be prepared. 2. Get Flood Insurance Did you know that regular homeowners’ insurance does not cover flood damage? Flood insurance can save you thousands of dollars in repairs. Since it takes about 30 days to go into effect, don’t wait until the next big storm to get covered! You can buy it through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private insurance companies. Learn m...

Western Area VOAD has issued a call for volunteers. 75 to 100 individuals need snow removal from sidewalks, entrances, and driveways in Erie County. Some are unable to leave their residences due to entrance and exit ways being blocked. Most are Seniors or Disabled. If you have resources or volunteers to help please sign up on this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4AAEA92BA4FEC61-53634978-west?useFullSite=true#/ Or if you have any questions, you may contact Western PA UMC Conference Disaster Response Coordinator, Leslie Foland, at disasterresponse@wpaumc.org or 814-844-3294.

Please pray for our Early Response Team that is serving in North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church this week and continuing to clean up from Hurricane Helene. This team is made up of members from Skaneateles United Methodist Church, Massena First UMC, Kenmore United Methodist Church, McKownville Church, Susquehanna Conference Disaster Response , and California-Pacific Conference of the United Methodist.