Dec. 22, 1997

United Methodists create recovery agency to assist with Upper Midwest flood relief

By Linda Bloom

NOTE: This story is part of a series of stories about relief efforts in the flood-ravaged Upper Midwest. Photographs are here.

United Methodists in the Upper Midwest have found innovative ways to coordinate their flood recovery efforts.

They have created the Upper Midwest Recovery Project under the guidance of Bishop John Hopkins, Minnesota area, and Bishop Michael Coyner, Dakotas area. It essentially has become a free-standing agency, according to Nina Martin, project coordinator.

A new warehouse for flood recovery supplies also was built in Fargo, N.D., and had its grand opening in November. Initially, supplies had gone to a warehouse in Minneapolis, outside the flood area.

The Dakotas Conference had some money and "very forward-looking trustees," who decided to build the facility because no other space was available, said Gordon Knuckey, chief of field operations and training for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). The building will be sold after the project closes.

In an area that is only 6 percent United Methodist, cooperation with the dominant Lutheran Church was essential, Knuckey said.

"Really, to make this work, the Lutherans needed to be on board," he added. "They came on very willingly and in a tremendous spirit of cooperation."

The major services of the Upper Midwest Recovery Project involve providing structural technical consultation; coordinating volunteer work; supplying materials for rebuilding; providing case management; fostering child care projects; and offering pastoral care and counseling.

Funding is provided by the two conferences, using budget money and donations, and through UMCOR grants.

Special projects have included:

• distributing more than 1,000 school bags in August.
• contacting 505 United Methodist households in Grand Fork, N.D., on Oct. 25 through "Operation: We Care."
• distributing about 400 family Christmas boxes, with lights, ornaments and other decorations.
• establishing, through the Rev. Chuck Purdham, a network of 20 pastors to fill in on a Sunday or assist another pastor.

Source: United Methodist News Service.