UMCOR Places Teams in New York, Washington

By United Methodist News Service

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has assembled teams in New York and Washington to coordinate a long-term response to the Sept. 11 attacks. The Rev. Tom Hazelwood, the agency's disaster response network manager, said in a Sept. 24 interview that in addition to focusing on New York and Washington, the teams would help implement national projects.

UMCOR's goals include addressing the emotional trauma the tragedy has caused for children and adults, along with rising incidents of anti-Arab racism and scapegoating.

Brian Lewis, from Colorado, is the team leader in New York, assisted by Don Falvey of Utah. Other team members are Nina Martin, UMCOR field staff from North Dakota; Carol Falvey of Utah and Jonna Marie of Colorado, who will be working with volunteers; Frank Bridgeforth of Virginia, coordinating logistics; and Bob Huie, spouse of Bishop Janice Riggle Huie of Arkansas, and Paul Wilcox of Pennsylvania, working on pastoral debriefing and counseling.

The team is based at Alma Mathews House, a church-owned guesthouse in Greenwich Village, and will be working through various churches in New York and New Jersey, Hazelwood said.

In Washington, Walter and Marge Rudolph of Colorado are the team leaders and also will coordinate a national anti-racism project. Gordon Knuckey, UMCOR field staff, is working there on pastoral care, and Deborah Ball Kilbourne from North Dakota will coordinate a national children's program.

Credentialed people interesting in volunteering for counseling teams should call the Volunteer Hotline at (800) 918-3100.

UMCOR 9/11 Update September 2004: UMCOR's response to the aftermath of September 11 continues. We thank are thankful for all of contributions that United Methodists and others have so generously given.

September 24, 2001

Source: United Methodist News Service. More stories about this tragedy are on the UMNS news site.

Photo, Top Left: Firemen near the smoldering remains of the World Trade Center. Andrea Booher/ FEMA News Photo, September 13, 2001.