Below are some frequently asked questions about The United Methodist Church and Missions with answers.
WHAT IS UNITED METHODIST GLOBAL MISSIONS? The United Methodist Church is in mission from everywhere…to everywhere! Through missionaries and ministries in more than 110 countries, The United Methodist Church seeks to make disciples of Jesus Christ; strengthen, develop, and renew Christian congregations and communities; alleviate human suffering; seek justice, freedom, and peace.
HOW IS THAT DIFFERENT THAN UMCOR? UMCOR is one part of The United Methodist Church’s commitment to global mission. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is a world leader in disaster response and case management, helping to restore communities long after the immediate crisis ends.
WHY DON’T WE COLLECT FLOOD BUCKETS AND HYGIENE KITS ALL YEAR LONG? In West Ohio, we do not have a long-term storage space for disaster relief supplies. Twice a year, we work with Midwest Mission Distribution Center in Illinois to bring a truck to West Ohio for a largescale collection. These two collections happen in late May/early June – the beginning of “disaster season” – and in November – to replenish disaster supplies at the end of “disaster season.”
WHERE IS THE NEAREST UMCOR COLLECTION SITE? A small-scale UMCOR depot is located at Gay Street UMC in Mount Vernon, OH. The closest facility that can hold large amounts of relief supplies is Midwest Mission Distribution Center in Pawnee, IL.
WHAT DO YOU LEARN AT EARLY RESPONSE TRAINING? You will learn how to provide a caring Christian presence in the midst of a disaster, including the importance of spiritual and emotional care. You will also learn the various team members that make up an Early Response Team, as well as practical knowledge such as how to clean out flooded homes, remove debris, and tarp a roof.
DO I HAVE TO BE AN EARLY RESPONSE TEAM MEMBER TO RESPOND TO A DISASTER? The answer depends on timing – if you have a desire to respond during the relief phase of a disaster (tasks such as debris clean-up and tarping roofs), then you will need to become a trained early responder. If your desire is to assist during the recovery phase (rebuilding/repairing homes), then you are not required to become a trained ERT.
If you have any other questions about missions, please contact the Ohio Episcopal Area Director of Mission Engagement, Mariellyn Grace, at mgrace@wocumc.org.