We're still here, for as long as it takes...
A New Vision with Hope
A New Vision with Hope
Almost three years have passed, and a ride through the flood-affected areas of White Sulphur Springs, Rupert, Rainelle, Richwood, Clendenin and Clay still show evidence of the damage, destruction, and loss from the 2016 thousand-year flood.
With your help, the West Virginia Conference Disaster Recovery Team is making a difference for families affected that devastating flood.
But there’s still more to do.
And we made a promise.
You can help by giving to the Bishop's Appeal for Disaster Recovery. Your generous donations will allow us to continue to work in partnership with UMCOR to help families still recovering.
Contact the New Vision with Hope, WV Disaster Recovery Leaders
Rev. JF Lacaria: 303-561-8097 (c)
Rev. Jack Lipphardt: 304-639-7035 (c).
Bishop's Appeal for Disaster Recovery
Important Instructions to Church Treasurers, Administrators and Pastors: Make your checks payable to "Conference Treasurer" and write "2016 Flood 935" in the memo line for your contribution to go to the ongoing long term recovery efforts of the 2016 flood.
Donations may be made through Annual Conference #935 for the special offering. Checks may be sent to:
Conference Treasurer's office:
PO Box 2469
Charleston, WV 25329
Thank you for your generosity! You may give online here:
ONLINE giving for WV Flood Relief.
Please select "United Methodist Disaster Response #935" and complete the form.
Your help is still needed!
On June 23, 2016, storms brought terrible floods to much of West Virginia. More than 1,200 homes were severely damaged as a result of these storms and people lost their lives.
I praise God for your response to this catastrophic event! Your prayers, work teams, and financial gifts have made and continue to make a difference and your help is still needed. Yes, we are still working in flood recovery efforts. Our promise was and is that “We’re still here for as long as it takes!”
There's still more to do. And we made a promise.
Almost three years have passed, and a ride through the flood-affected areas of White Sulphur Springs, Caldwell, Rupert, Rainelle, and Richwood still show evidence of the damage, destruction, and loss from the 2016 thousand-year flood.
Leveraging Partnerships For Disaster Recovery
A note from Rev. JF Lacaria & Rev. Jack Lipphardt, WVUMC Disaster Recovery Directors:
The West Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church made a promise to stand with UMCOR and with disaster survivors as long as it takes for recovery. We continue to leverage UMCOR monies and our partnerships with other agencies to maximize aid for families who are still recovering.
The Spectrum of Disaster Response and Recovery
WEST VIRGINIA UNITED METHODISTS HAVE IT COVERED
By Rev. Jack Lipphardt,
WVUMC Disaster Recovery Director
Unparalleled in the region, the West Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church runs the full gamut of disaster response and recovery following the UMCOR pattern of “first in, last out,” or said another way, “We’re here for as long as it takes.”
It rained, and rained, and rained…
By Judy Pysell,
Pastor, Richwood Charge
Greenbrier District Communications Coordinator
It rained, and rained, and rained, but I heard them say, “We need the rain!” What looked to be a normal few days of rain turned into anything but normal.
From flood survivor to recovery team host
By Rev. Jonathan A. Dierdorff,
Rainelle UMC
In the aftermath of the 2016 flood the Rainelle community received overwhelming support from the leadership of the West Virginia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. Before water and electricity were restored, leaders like Rev. Jeff Allen and others from the WV Council of Churches were in our community, coaching me on how to process and manage long-term recovery. Likewise, leaders from the Disaster Recovery Team were in close communication with me, guiding me along the way.
Creative partnership brings a new home to flood survivors
In the fall of 2016, the West Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church was beginning to implement its disaster recovery ministry for the 12 West Virginia counties affected by the 2016 storms and flood disaster. As we prepared for Volunteers in Mission (VIM) teams to start arriving to help us with the work of remodeling and building new homes for survivors of the flood, we realized that we needed to look at multiple options to help our clients have safe, sanitary and secure dwellings. We knew we could not meet the demand by doing all the work ourselves.
First to respond…and still keeping the promise
Right after the flood of 2016, The United Methodist Church’s disaster response plan was ready to go. Our community, White Sulphur Springs, was one of the hardest hit areas. We lost seven people that day, not to mention the countless property losses…and how it all played on the psyches of those who survived.