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Kathy Gilbert
United Methodist News Service

While many are calling Hurricane Gustav a "non-event" because it didn't flood the state like Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Bishop William W. Hutchinson of the Louisiana Conference said thousands of people have lost their homes due to wind damage.

The United Methodist Committee on Relief reports that pastoral care, financial contributions to stock food banks and provide for other basic needs, and teams to clear debris are the largest needs right now.

Hurricane Gustav hit Louisiana Sept. 1.

"We are going to have to be diligent in searching out communities affected by this hurricane," said the Rev. Tom Hazelwood of UMCOR. "We are going to have to use our Wesleyan heritage and go to the people, not wait for them to come to us."

To learn how to assist, contact the conference disaster response ministry at or by calling (225) 346-5193.

Financial donations can be made to UMCOR Advance No. 3019695, "Hurricanes 2008, Hurricane Gustav." Mail checks to UMCOR, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087, and write the Advance number and name on the memo line of the check. Credit-card donations can be made at http://secure.gbgm-umc.org/donations/umcor/donate.cfm?code=3019695&id=3019695.

Training for Volunteer in Mission teams is being held at the Baltimore-Washington Conference Center in Columbia Oct. 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information, call Sandy Ferguson at 410-309-3431.