To help OK tornado victims, pray and send monetary gifts through UMCOR

This morning, we are again horrified by the power and suddenness of death and destruction storms can bring. We are watching as Moore, Oklahoma, defies all statistical probabilities to be hit again with a powerful tornado. As these images and stories stun us and break our hearts, we as communities of faith wonder what we can do. I share the following list as the places to begin to give action to our hearts of compassion and love.

• Pray. What you are feeling in your heart can be best expressed through prayer to the one who can truly meet the needs that we are all feeling.
• Monetary gifts also can be sent through your local United Methodist church or directly to the Oklahoma conference treasurer's office, 1501 N.W. 24th, Oklahoma City, OK, 73106-3635. Include "2013 May Tornado Relief" on the memo line of your check. You can also donate online at www.umcor.org.
• Please do not collect and donate clothing and/or any other supplies at this time. Financial contributions are the most effective way to help us provide survivors with what they really need.
• Please prepare your church membership for possible Volunteers in Mission service later.

Thank you all ahead of time for all that you are led to do.

Pay attention to weather updates for Minnesota and never take a severe thunderstorm or tornado warning lightly. Be sure to have a family emergency plan, including a gathering place or contact person outside of the area--since most often, we are not together as families when severe weather occurs. Does your church have an emergency and disaster plan? Consider hosting a “Neighbor-to-Neighbor Training” to create one and be a resource to your own and neighboring communities.

Our hearts and our prayers are with Moore, Oklahoma, and other communities that have been directly affected by this spring outbreak of severe weather.

Rev. Heather E. Klason
Disaster Response Coordinator,
Minnesota Annual Conference UMC