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    United Methodists of Upper New YorkLiving the Gospel. Being God's Love.


    news article

    UNY response to Hurricane Michael

    October 15, 2018 / By Mike Block, Director of Missional Engagement / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    Editors Note: The following is a letter that was written by Mike Block, Director of Missional Engagement, about the response to Hurricane Michael and sent to the Upper New York Conference on Oct. 15, 2018. 

    Dear Friends,

    It’s going to be a long road of recovery and rebuilding following Hurricane Michael, the most powerful hurricane in nearly 50 years to hit the continental U.S. The Florida Panhandle was hit hardest. The flooding caused by heavy rain, the storm surge, and the fierce wind ripped some homes, churches, and businesses off their foundations, left many without a home, and in some cases, resulted in death. Thousands are still without power and it will remain like that for some time.

    As the Director of Missional Engagement for the Upper New York Conference (UNY), I ask you to do the following:

    1. Invite your congregation to participate in a special gathering for victims of Hurricane Michael. All donations can be forwarded to the Conference Office in a single check made out to Upper New York Conference with "Disaster Relief" written on the memo line.
    2. Assemble UMCOR Cleaning Kits (Flood Buckets) either as a congregation or work with neighboring churches to assemble kits together and either bring them to the United Methodist Center in Liverpool or drop off supplies at one of the locations closest to you listed here. Click here for assembly instructions.
    3. If our location in Liverpool is too far, consider organizing a “HUB on the Road,” where neighboring churches work together to purchase items together and assemble buckets as a group. It costs about $75 to assembly one cleaning bucket if items are bought at cost at your local grocery or convenience store. If your church or group is interested in saving money and producing two kits for the price of one, send your donation to UNY Mission Central HUB and I’ll order the supplies for you at a bulk rate and have it shipped directly to your church. I’ll be sure the items meet UMCOR requirements.

    Please keep those affected by Hurricane Michael in your prayers. If you want to be added to a listserv to learn more about volunteer opportunities, including possible mission trips to Florida, Georgia, or the Carolinas, please email me at mikeblock@unyumc.org. For questions or more information, feel free to contact me at (315) 898-2066.

    Grace and Peace,

    Mike Block
    Director of Missional Engagement

    TAGGED / Mission Central


    United Methodists of Upper New York is comprised of a vibrant network of 677 local churches and active new faith communities in 12 districts, covering 48,000 square miles in 49 of the 62 counties in New York state. Our vision is to “live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to be God’s love with our neighbors in all places."