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BY BARBARA COWARD
UMCONNECTION CORRESPONDENT

Volunteers working in mission have been around since the beginning of the church. But there have been few times in recent history when Christians have been called upon to serve others during a succession of devastating natural disasters such as has occurred in the past 12 months.

Since last Christmas, the statistics have been staggering. The Asian tsunami, which hit Dec. 26, killed more than 300,000 people in 11 countries; Hurricane Katrina, which struck eight months later, almost to the day, devastated a 90,000 square-mile region of the Gulf Coast and displaced more than 1 million people; and the recent earthquake in Pakistan wiped out entire villages, killing more than 50,000 people.

While natural disasters can?t be prevented, the good news is that the magnitude of love and humanitarian aid shown by God?s people for their neighbors transcends the enormity of these catastrophes.

The Baltimore-Washington Conference is no exception. Hundreds of people volunteer every year to lend a helping hand through Volunteers in Mission (VIM) programs or other mission opportunities.

With more natural disasters, however, the need for help increases. In response to that need, the Baltimore-Washington Conference recently held VIM training workshops, hoping to generate 50 to 60 new volunteers.

In fact, more than 140 United Methodists signed up for the training program. Participants were eager to learn how to lend a hand, as one participant said, in 'whatever shape or form.'

The newly trained volunteers, whose average age was 56, were called from all walks of life: active and retired pastors, homemakers, scientists, teachers, government engineers, a farmer/ski pro, police officer, a pastoral counselor, accountant and attorney. The diversity of their backgrounds offers a variety of gifts and skills for their ministry.

'In my previous life, before becoming a pastor, I was a civil engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and my major work was connected to flood control,' said the Rev. George Weitzel of Messiah UMC in Glen Burnie. 'Construction is one of those things I just love to do.'

Guy Everhart, a retired Navy civil engineer captain from Providence UMC, hopes to use his experience in construction, facilities management and environmental protection to pursue hurricane relief. 'I also hope that my actions can bring not only physical comfort, but some small measure of spiritual comfort to those we are trying to help,' he said.

'I have a natural God-given talent, both in clear thinking under stressful situations and the humanistic approach to others,' added Jay Parry-Hill, a project manager for the Department of Defense and a member of Orems UMC in Middle River.

'I have a good listening ear and a working knowledge of some of the struggles it takes to sometimes get through the government red tape,' said Kathleen Thompson, a Christian education coordinator at John Wesley UMC who has worked in the local health department. 'I would not want an individual to miss an opportunity to turn their life around because of government procedures.'

Many were called to serve as a result of recent headlines.

'I would like to volunteer to help with the efforts of Hurricane Katrina survivors to recover and rebuild, 'said Krista Tarquine, 31, an attorney from Chevy Chase UMC. 'I am also interested in responding to future disasters.'

'After seeing the results of Katrina on the Gulf Coast region, I felt and still feel a need to do something to help,' said Craig Chippendale, a truck driver from Back River UMC in Essex.

Although many want to take action right away, some are considering the best time to go.

'While I was originally gung-ho to leave for the Gulf tomorrow, I realized that I needed some time to get my own affairs in order before I started traipsing off to other parts of the country and world,' said Susan Deatherage, 66, an accountant who is a member of Christ UMC in Columbia. 'So, I am working on doing just that, with the intention of joining VIM teams either in Florida or Mississippi-Texas starting in January or February.'

'The training didn't make me feel guilty about not responding right away,' added Terry Loggee, an engineer for the Dept. of Energy who hopes to lead a VIM disaster recovery team from Calvary UMC in Frederick. 'It helped me to see what will be needed and what to expect when I do get to the hurricane affected areas.'

There are also some who are unsure where the training will take them.

'I wanted to find out what kinds of activities a VIM team carries out ... and to form some impression of what I might be able to contribute,' said Geoffrey Kaiser, 63, a scientist from Fairhaven UMC.

Whenever and wherever they are called to serve, each person shares a desire to make a difference in the lives of others.

'I am hoping to bring ... comfort and healing for today, hope for the future and, should they ask my motivation for being there, to share my experience of God?s loving presence with them,' said Deatherage.

'It will show them that they are not alone and that we love them,' added Logee.

With the scale of this year?s disasters so overwhelming, each of the participants hopes to make a difference, one person at a time.

'If we can reduce the obstacles and problems faced by one person or one family, I would be happy,' said Chippendale.

NOTE: The next VIM training will be held Dec. 10, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Conference Center, 7178 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite D, in Columbia. It will include workshops on re-entry, a panel discussion, and disaster updates. Those interested in serving as a volunteer or team leader must take the training. The registration deadline is Dec. 8. Visit www.bwcumc.org to register, for more information about the VIM program, including a list of volunteer opportunities and contact information for district coordinators.