Message from Bishop Héctor: Summer storm response

“If one part of the body suffers, every part suffers with it…” 1 Corinthians 12:26 

Dear United Methodists of Upper New York, 

During the past two weeks, severe weather has significantly impacted multiple communities across the Upper New York Conference from Lowville (Northern Flow District) to Eden (Niagara Frontier District) to Rome (Mohawk District) as well as many other communities in between. Our hearts join in solidarity with all impacted by these storms.  
 
Within hours of the storms hitting our area, United Methodists of Upper New York began seeking ways to embody God’s love with our neighbors. Kristina Clark, Associate Director of Missional Excellence, reached out to pastors in the impacted areas to assess the needs, and began mobilizing the resources of the conference and the General Church to assist impacted communities by: 

• Delivering supplies to the Double Play Community Center in Lowville to assist the community with cleanup efforts. You can watch a brief video here.  
• Providing UMCOR Relief Kits the day after tornados touched down in Canastota and Rome to a shelter serving 50 people displaced by the storm, and the Connected Community Schools Relief Distribution and Rome First United Methodist Church. 
• Connecting our recently inaugurated Neighborhood HUB at Kenmore UMC with community officials in Eden to offer support for the cleanup. 
• Applying for a Solidarity Grant through UMCOR to financially support the initial recovery efforts.   
• Supporting local United Methodist churches in the impacted areas as they offered physical assistance, checked on neighbors, and offered prayers and support to those impacted.  

Now, here is how you can support the recovery work: 

1. Intentional Prayer: Hold the people and communities impacted by the storms in prayer. Please take time daily to pray for the people in the impacted areas and include a prayer time in your weekly services this week and in the weeks to come. 

2. Immediate Need in Rome: The shelters in Rome, NY are serving people who have been displaced and there are a significant number of children. Items for young people are in high and immediate need. The most pressing needs are:

• Diapers 
• Baby formula 
• Baby wipes 

These are immediate needs. If you wish to donate any of these items, please have them to the Mission Center HUB in Liverpool no later than 10 a.m. on Monday, July 22 so they can be taken to Rome that day.  

3. Financial Giving: We've established the UNY Storm Relief Fund to assist our neighbors with unexpected expenses. Your contributions will make a difference. We are inviting congregations to take a collection in the coming weeks to support the needs of recovery and forward it to the Conference Center ASAP. Individual donations are also welcome. You can make an individual donation, here.  

4. Offer Hands-On Assistance: We're partnering with local organizations in the affected areas to aid in relief and recovery efforts. If you're able to lend a hand, please sign up here.  

This is just the beginning! United Methodists of Upper New York will journey alongside the impacted communities for as long as it is needed. If your church or community has experienced damage from these storms, please let us know by emailing [email protected].  
 
No matter where you are located in Upper New York, please know your prayers and support will help bring God's healing and renewing presence to our neighbors. 
 
Thank you for your generosity and compassion. 

Together in the journey,  
Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez
The United Methodist Church
Serving United Methodists of Upper New York

United Methodists of Upper New York | 7481 Henry Clay Blvd. | Liverpool, NY 13088 US