Bishop Huie's letter on hurricane relief offering

Dear Friends,

Grace and peace to you in the name of the One who calms the wind and waves.

When we focused on risk-taking mission and service at this last annual conference, we had no idea of the challenges that Hurricane Ike would bring just four months later. Given the limited loss of life and injury from this storm, we also know that we have been blessed “beyond all that we could ask or imagine.”

The relief and recovery process from Ike creates enormous opportunities for mission, service and generosity for all United Methodists. People need our continual prayers, time and skills to help them put their lives in order again. They also need our financial support to deal with catastrophic expenses.

In 2005 Hurricane Rita caused damage in nearly every community in one district. Your response was tremendous—over $1 million. Ike inflicted damage on seven districts. We already know that more than 100 churches or parsonages have been damaged. Many are still without power. Two districts are especially hard-hit. The needs now are even greater.

These are our greatest concerns:

• Three-four months compensation for pastors whose congregations have evacuated and/or where whole communities are dispersed, such as congregations on the Bolivar Peninsula, Galveston Island and Sabine Pass.
• Assistance with church and parsonage construction and/or reconstruction.
• Many families and churches had little or no flood insurance.
• Assistance for families who have simply run out of money for food, gas and necessities due to two consecutive evacuation orders.
• Assistance with home reconstruction in our communities with greatest need.

In comparison, total recovery cost for Rita, including church support, pastoral needs and home reconstruction is approximately $5 million. UMCOR contributed $4 million. Over 850 homes are being re-built. Ike’s challenge will far exceed Rita.

We have learned a great deal in the last three years. For example, we have learned that volunteer hours double every dollar given to recovery. We know that the early response of the UMC invites other groups to engage with us and stay committed to long-term recovery. Whatever you give in time and money is multiplied many times over.

We pray and trust that there will be assistance from the national church as it was with Rita. We also know that we have personal responsibility to our friends and neighbors.

Contributions to ADVANCE #3019695 will be used for hurricane recovery in Texas, Haiti and other parts of the United States. All of the Ike Recovery contributions given to the Texas Annual Conference will stay in the Texas Annual Conference.

The words of Ephesians come to mind:

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Glory to God.” (The Message)

Grace and peace,
Janice Riggle Huie