Hayes Barton's Response to Hurricane Matthew
When power went out at church Saturday, we were forced to make the hard decision to cancel two services and Sunday School. But our building remained dry, and members who were affected by the storm are working towards regaining full power and restoration. This is not the case for our neighbors in Eastern North Carolina. The NC Conference of the United Methodist Church has first responders ready to take action. The conference has also provided links for monetary donations, and are providing directives for flood bucket preparation,
Hayes Barton will participate in a Capital District-wide effort to collect 1,000 flood buckets. We will serve as a collection / drop off site and with congregational support, we will prepare 50 flood buckets (in addition to 30 prepared and delivered last week, in advance of the storm).
We are advised not to send response teams into the affected areas at this time. In anticipation of the tremendous need to come, we are offering and encouraging Hayes Barton members to come for training for Early Response Teams at our church on November 5th to assist in the long relief efforts for those affected in N.C. Registration details will follow.
Look for more information in the coming days about how we at Hayes Barton can make a difference through prayer, donations, and action. You can also visit nccumc.org to learn more about the North Carolina Conference's response or to make a donation.
UMCOR works with global organizations to provide relief in times of disaster. Hayes Barton partners with UMCOR regularly, and has provided funds, flood buckets, and work teams in areas hit by natural disasters. In addition to a financial and field team commitment to Haiti (read more below), UMCOR will also assist Bahamas Methodist Habitat with a grant in response to damage in the Bahamas.
Donations in response to Hurricane Matthew can be made directly to UMCOR.
Help in Haiti:
Stop Hunger Now's Global Relief Fund provides food and lifesaving aid. Hayes Barton will host a Stop Hunger Now food packaging event in December (details will be forthcoming).
UMCOR has a team on the ground in Haiti and its initial response has begun with emergency supplies and a water purification program done in partnership with GlobalMedic. The initial financial outlay by UMCOR will exceed $150,000. Hayes Barton has made a donation to UMCOR to assist the water purification program in Haiti.
Hearts and Hands for Haiti's mission teams work with children, educators, and churches. Two teams head there in the new year, with members of our church. Join us at Wednesday night supper this Wednesday for a fundraiser for the children and schools served by Hearts and Hands for Haiti.
