Rebuilding begins in Iowa
By Arthur McClanahan
United Methodist News Service
As waters receded in central Iowa and the shock of a second "500-year flood" in 15 years became a numbing reality, the focus has shifted from the rescue phase to relief and long-term recovery.
United Methodists are among a statewide interfaith consortium and action teams from local churches that are reaching out to the estimated 38,000 people left homeless, farmers who have lost a projected 10 percent of the 2008 corn crop and countless churches and parsonages inundated from the ravages of nine rivers.
"The disruption caused by the floods is overwhelming, but the way in which people are pulling together in communities more than balances this out," said Bishop Gregory Palmer of the Iowa Area.
"The outpouring of tangible compassion from the church along with the resolve of local people to reclaim their lives is signaling hope ... hope ... hope," Palmer concluded.
Iowa United Methodists are sharing their experiences and photographs from the storms and flooding at a blog site established at www.iowastorms2008.blogspot.com.
Information, photos, giving opportunities and ways to volunteer are being posted on the Iowa Annual Conference Web site at www.iaumc.org/storms2008.
Donations for relief efforts may be sent directly to the United Methodist Committee on Relief's efforts in the Midwest, UMCOR Advance #901670, with a designation for Midwest Flooding Relief. UMCOR support checks can be dropped in church offering plates or mailed directly to UMCOR, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087. Write the Advance number and name on the memo line of the check.
Credit card donations can be made by calling 800-554-8583 or online at www.givetomission.org
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