Flooding continues in Central Indiana plus other updates

e-HUM Announcement

Churches step up to assist in flood relief efforts

Flooding continues in Central Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS – A number of congregations have already called the Indiana Area office for more information about relief efforts as flooding continues in Central Indiana.

Congregations and individuals in the South Indiana Conference can make contributions payable to the South Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church with a memo “Flood Relief Indiana” and send to:

Jennifer Gallagher, Conference Treasurer
1520 South Liberty Drive
Bloomington, IN 47403-5167

Congregations and individuals in the North Indiana Conference can make contributions payable to the North Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church with a memo “Flood Relief Indiana” and send to:

Brent Williams, Conference Treasurer
1105 N. Western Avenue
Marion, IN 46952

Those wishing to help assist as volunteers in flood relief efforts, need to contact their district offices or Jenni Walker, mission resource coordinator, to report needs and readiness to volunteer. Walker will be making two lists: one of volunteers wishing to assist and a list of those who are in need of assistance.

South Indiana Conference Disaster Response Coordinators Bob Babcock and the Rev. David Powell, both of Danville UMC, are in the field today assessing damages across Central Indiana where hundreds of homeowners have experienced losses. Babcock will be on a conference call later this afternoon with INVOAD (Indiana Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) and FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) personnel as assessments are being made.

A number of South Indiana Conference members could not return to Indianapolis and other points north of Bloomington following the Saturday afternoon flooding.

While conference was in session, Governor Mitch Daniels landed on the lawn of the South Indiana Conference Center on South Liberty Drive. He was viewing flood damage in Central Indiana and needed a place to land. Going inside, he greeted receptionist Tessa Armitage.

Here is a listing of reports received this morning in the Indiana Area office.

Seelyville UMC has helped three families thus far with clothing, though there was little damage to homes in the west-central part of Vigo County
There are about 100 people in Red Cross shelter in Terre Haute at North Vigo High School.
Bowling Green church and parsonage received significant water damage in basements. Parsonage is uninhabitable with no running water (Mindy Huffman is the pastor).
Gobin Memorial in Greencastle received significant water damage to the elevator
In West Terre Haute, much of the town has standing water from Sugar Creek on the west. The Wabash is 10 feet above flood stage, but that’s nowhere near a record –the damaging floods came from the local creeks). Sugar Creek has a dam in Paris, Ill., that is damaged and may break with additional rain due tonight.
The home of our Mt. Pleasant UMC pastor has sustained water damage.
UM churches in Vigo and Clay Counties were unable to hold services on Sunday due to high water around church (with dozens of other churches as well).
Seelyville UMC was surrounded by water on Sunday, but the water receded by Sunday afternoon.
First UMC in Bloomington provided high chairs and a baby swing for the shelter at the elementary school in Spencer.
Members of First UMC in Mooresville helped with the Red Cross response in Martinsville. The safety director of the church and preschool (FUMC of Mooresville) helped get members involved with the Red Cross so they can help with disaster relief in northern Morgan County. Red Cross representatives came to the church and provided training First UMC members have partnered with the Grace Church in Mooresville to use their building which is bigger and more accommodating. Grace Church will be the main Red Cross disaster shelter in northern Morgan County. First UMC in Mooresville will help Grace run it.
Here are two things to know about volunteering for disaster relief from Sandy Houppert, volunteer in Mooresville.
- You don’t need special training to help. Many of the non-Red Cross volunteers unloaded trucks and assembled the cots. If you can move and carry things, you can do this.
- If you can’t carry things, you are still needed. If you can play cards, help people in wheel chairs, hold hands, or hold a baby, you can help.

Foundation Symposium canceled

Due to the recent catastrophic weather events across central Indiana, the South Indiana Conference Foundation will postpone the symposia “Investing Church Funds in These Uncertain Times” at all scheduled locations. Churches, clusters or districts may contact Executive Director, the Rev. Marie Lang, to reschedule a presentation in their area. Requests may be made to marie@umfsi.org or by calling 317-788-7879.

Death Notice

MARION THOMPSON GARRISON, surviving spouse of Bishop Edwin Garrison died Wednesday, June 4, 2008. A memorial service will be held 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 10 in the Wright Chapel at the Franklin United Methodist Community, 1070 W Jefferson Street in Franklin, Ind., with burial in Memorial Cemetery. There will be a calling prior to the service starting at 12:30 p.m. for friends and family. Survivors include: Brother, Paul Thompson; two sisters, Gail Dwyer and Carol Thomas Shimer, 5300 W 96th Street, Indianapolis, In 46268, along with several nieces and nephews.

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