Ice Storm Home Reconstruction Projects March 2-8

I hope you've held up to the ice storm, loss of power, & all the challenges of the last week.  As you survey the damage in your ministry area keep an eye open for possible mission opportunities with your church members, neighbors and community.  Most of what I have been seeing is less formal and relational disaster response as family, friends, and neighbors take care of each other.  Know that there are other volunteers and tools available from the NGUMC, from Trinity on the Hill, Wesley, and other area churches as we respond together to the many needs.  There are currently a number of chain saw and debris removal teams in the area (Southern Baptists, Rubicon, Samaritan’s Purse) that you might join and can find through emergency management officials in your county and through local media.  

Trinity on the Hill & Wesley UMC had planned to send another disaster reconstruction team to Mississippi, but with our ice storm have changed plans.  These are very experienced missioners who do roofing, use pneumatic air guns, etc.  Rather than go to MS our partner churches will gather in Augusta for March 2-8 to assist with projects here.  If you become aware of someone in your church or community in the Richmond or Columbia County area who owns their home and lacks insurance/funds/skills to rebuild we'll be looking for a number of projects for the week to keep this experienced team busy.  Or if you've always wanted to be part of a disaster reconstruction team and have some time and availability we'd be glad to add you to the group as we need workers (experienced and inexperienced), cooks, photographers, gophers, etc.  Please contact Rev. Scott Parrish at 706-738-8822 (church office) or 706-993-6967 (cell).  You may send full details of the proposed project to sparrish@trinityonthehill.net and be sure to include your name and contact info, the address of the proposed project, & the best phone number for the homeowner.  With the short week and quick notice it’s best if these are storm related problems and not pre-existing conditions.  If you can describe what is needed and share one best photo that will also help as we develop a priority list.  We need to quickly compile a list and visit the potential sites, order materials, and have everything pulled together prior to March 2.