Photos and Videos from Work in Waterloo

(Photos submitted by Rev. Sheryl Campbell,
St. Paul's UMC, Waterloo)


Videos about Work in Waterloo

http://www.courierwebcasts.com/play.php?vid_id=1028&file=lafayettepark061208.flv
Any time you see pictures of water nearby, and actually, often when you don't even see the water in the streets, there is actually home-after-home-after-home with a basement with anywhere from 2 inches to 8 feet of water in their basement--most frequently, 4-6 feet. Hundreds and hundreds of these in Waterloo and towns around.

http://www.courierwebcasts.com/play.php?vid_id=1022&file=pioneergraphics.flv This is what downtown Waterloo looked like at one point--for every one of these pictures, there are several worse places not pictured.

Oakville Update, July 14

Although significant ponds remain around town, most of the floodwater has receded in Oakville. The congregation has been worshipping together each Sunday at the Centenary United Methodist Church in Morning, which has also been the site for weekly gatherings for meals, conversation, and support. If electricity becomes available again soon and clean up continues at the current pace, the Oakville congregation hopes to be worshipping in their sanctuary by the end of August.

Volunteer in Mission teams from West Branch and Washington were in Oakville last week. And several more teams are scheduled to be on site in the next few weeks. The Oakville parsonage, which was not occupied at the time of the flood, was heavily damaged, and its future is uncertain.

-Phil Carver

Matthew 25/Taylor School Mural

“What about the mural? Can it be saved?” This was the first question many asked after hearing the Matthew 25 Ministry Hub space had been flooded. The mural is an ironic picture these days. Giant children straddle the Cedar River and stand on top of downtown Cedar Rapids building bridges. The painting was meant to symbolize the dreams of the Ministry Hub, reminding us how children can help effortlessly overcome barriers. It was meant to be a hopeful sign of the future.

On June 13, the Ministry Hub and the mural were engulfed by water. Trinity United Methodist Church's main building, where the Ministry Hub was located, may have been damaged beyond repair. The hard work of a recent remodeling project and nearly all the Ministry Hub equipment were destroyed. “What about the mural,” was the question on top of everyone's mind.

The week after the flood, Rev. Clint Twedt-Ball walked into the muck and darkness of the Ministry Hub space. As in other flooded basements, the stench and destruction were overwhelming. The piano had floated from one end of the building to the other. The kitchen was destroyed. Paint was coming off the walls and ceilings in sheets. And the mural, it looked dirty, moldy and bubbly, ready to peel off the wall.

Later in the week, Muralist Eleanor Yates called. She was in Philadelphia working on a mural. Early the next week she would be traveling through Cedar Rapids to Fairfield, IA to work on a huge mural. She wanted to stop by and see the what had happened to her “Bridges” mural in Cedar Rapids. Clint told her the mural was destroyed, but she was insistent in wanting to see it.

Wednesday morning, June 25, the petite Eleanor borrowed a pair of size ten, men's wading boots and tromped into the muck of the Ministry Hub. Like a surgeon, she carefully cut around the edges of the mural, peeled it off the wall and rolled it up. Her first stop was at a car wash, where she thoroughly washed the pieces of the mural and laid them in the sun to dry. Like the city of Cedar Rapids, the mural waits, ready to be rebuilt.

Eleanor has collaborated with the Ministry Hub on another mural. “You Are a Gift” graces the wall of Taylor Elementary School, which took on three feet of water during the flood. In “You Are a Gift,” twenty-four children from the Taylor Neighborhood use their imaginations to create the world as they wish it to be. The hope of the Ministry Hub, Eleanor Yates and the people of Cedar Rapids is that the the “new” Cedar Rapids will be an even better city for these children than the “old” Cedar Rapids. If this flood is used as an opportunity to build bridges of opportunity for at-risk youth in our community, that hope may become a reality.

In an effort to make this hope real, the Ministry Hub is selling t-shirts with a picture of the mural on it that say, “Building Bridges and Loving Our Neighbors As Ourselves.” The t-shirts cost $30, can be ordered from www.hub25.org, and one-hundred percent of the money raised will go to help children impacted by the flood.

From Rev. Sheryl Campbell, Waterloo, St. Paul's UMC

June 27, 2008 Waterloo, IA

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:

First of all, I will tell you that we could use some help in our area.

Like everyone else, we really hate to ask—there are so many great needs everywhere in our world. And our little ol' floods actually are small compared to some of the great disasters in our world, even in recent months…

Yet, this is a GREAT opportunity, if you feel called to pray for, share with, or partner any efforts in this area. If you have a prayer team of 2 or 22, a mission team, some dollars to share, we are being shown hour by hour one or ten or one hundred more persons who are experiencing great loss and grief along with many of their family and neighbors and friends….

A quick punch line is that our small-but-loving church in the north part of Waterloo, IA is hosting and helping to dispatch mission teams from UMC churches, UCC churches, ANY churches, individuals, groups from Habitat for Humanity, Vista/Americorps, and anyone the Lord sends to minister to folks not only in our city, but also in smaller towns and rural places within quite a radius of here. I am someone who is simply trying to enhance the wonderful working-together and praying-together of so many terrific folks. I also seek to be a support to my own parishioners and everyone else God is putting in my path—as well as encourage and communicate with others who may wish to do the same.

A great big enthusiastic thanks to Pastor Terry Plocher of Reinbeck, IA (30 miles away) who already after a brief communication with UMC Volunteers In Mission has been here in person and has brought several in his church to "BE the church" TO affected people. One small example of many things they are doing in Christ's name--they have helped one homeowner carry out very heavy water-soaked papers, ruined furniture and multitudinous personal items, have helped to finish pumping and cleaning a basement, have now stripped and hauled out sheet rock, all while being of great comfort and cheer to a very stunned lady who can't understand why she can't really move—after all, she has only been "inconvenienced…" They (Reinbeck) have been here twice—and promise more in the future. Pastor Terry even took the time to visit three of my folks in the nursing homes this week (I have about 30!), to remind them of the Lord's love—and that Pastor Sheryl and the church have them in our thoughts and prayers but are just a little busy right now.

Pastor Terry and at least one of his former churches were impacted by massive flooding and disaster about 15 years ago. He now is equipped to help with keen insight to the chaos and need. I was serving a church part-time in Grand Forks ND/East Grand Forks MN when 80-90% of that combined community went under water as the build up from blizzards melted in April, 1997. I then was able to stay with them full-time for a year of their disaster, cleanup and rebuilding process. Now we learn from them. Another colleague from Waterloo's Eastside Ministerial Alliance, Martha Frazier, helped and served in Katrina for years and now helps ministers to minister in Waterloo. May we all continue to learn from one another, as we unite to build one another up in the Lord.

Also GREAT thanks to so many others who have called, who have scheduled, who are praying and discerning what to do. I so much want to hug you all! Our churches and many other agencies are working together QUICKLY to share across every denominational line to host and dispatch any one who would like to come and help. We were so happy to receive a visit on Monday, June 23 from Bishop Gregory Palmer of the Iowa Conference United Methodist Church, along with Bishop Alan Scarfe of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa. They came with people from UMC Iowa Conference Disaster Relief, UMC Iowa Volunteers In Mission, UMC news and publications, and UMCOR (United Methodist Committee On Relief). They listened to us carefully, though they had so MANY other people in the state to listen to as well that day! The Bishops will be happy to know that we at St. Paul's UMC already are partnering with St. Luke's Episcopal Church to host short term mission work groups coming in this summer. I am kind of assuming this will lead to more…

You—or someone you know—can help church-to-church, neighbor-to-neighbor, or in many aspects of the cities, Red Cross, United Way, and more. Many of you already are—thank you! Large experienced early-disaster-response Christian agencies such as World Hope and Samaritan's Purse have set up and can equip-trains-dispatch individuals or small/large working groups immediately to help those on the lists. (World Hope has helped several of our parishioners already!!) More are coming. I hear MUCH praise from those who have worked Katrina and other disasters for years about what United Methodist (UMCOR) and Presbyterians and Lutherans and others do in ongoing wondrous work and help for others—again, hand-in-hand with all the above-mentioned and more. I know they are at work in Iowa, preparing to do it again, and stay for the long haul. As far as now, you don't have to be from afar off to lend a hand—local residents who are not overwhelmed can help for a half-a-day or a day or more as they are able. Physical labor, friendship walking-with, or even helping an elderly person sterilize their flooded china or jewelry or other keepsake can be of great help and support. And pray.

I am writing from St. Paul's UMC in Waterloo Iowa. Anything I say here can apply to many many communities around us, most certainly and worse (?) Cedar Rapids, Coralville/Iowa City, and more to the south of us all. Towns such as New Hartford, Palo, Chelsea and others have widespread damage beyond our belief—AND all of the environs, of course. Crops and grazing lands have been ruined for the season. Other businesses are out-of-business or struggling to figure out what to do now. Our news media simply cannot cover it all adequately in order that we all should understand the extent of the damage and havoc for all… I will speak for my perspective of our immediate area, and you can simply project the same and more for areas north and east and south and west of us.

Waterloo/Cedar Falls area (we call it "Cedar Valley") and surrounding towns have experienced a greater "natural disaster" crisis than anyone ever can remember, with the incredible flooding that began June 9 and 10, and then kept continuing, and continuing. Waverly has been incredibly hit. Parkersburg, New Hartford, areas north of Dunkerton, and so many rural areas around still are stunned and many out of their homes since an incredible F-5 (really-really-big-and-destructive) tornado hit May 25 and took or greatly damaged many homes, churches, farms and other businesses. New Hartford then seems to have been much-covered by flood waters—I haven't even been there yet—but my friend who lost her sister-in-law (killed in the tornado)—and also suffered much wind damage personally and everyone else there she knows—told me yesterday that the green flood slime which came two weeks later is still in her home as she and her husband are living with their grown kids in another house for now. The pictures of New Hartford under water several days ago that I finally saw on news media last night were incredible.

My eyes are here in Waterloo where more have been affected than ever before—with floodwaters, storm sewer back-up, ground-water in basements, and more. No matter how large or small the water damage, the mold is here, which creates more problems of its own. Sometimes this massive flood has taken, wrecked and twisted a whole home like one of my parishioners.

Sometimes it has "simply" filled a home-including the main floor-with violent flood waters, leaving a stinky mess to clean up and incredible waiting, paperwork, more waiting, confusion and chaos—while the adults of the family need to still go to full time work every day and then deal with whatever else they can do after hours. Sometimes it is like another one of my parishioners who just had to wait for days and days for the water to quit coming in through the basement walls, inundating and ruining "only" the water heater, furnace, washer, dryer, everything stored there they had no time to get out. They feel much better now that they have removed 7000 pounds of soggy crud from their basement, have actually been power-washed and sanitized thanks to a Christian volunteer group, and now simply have to connect with overworked contractors with long waiting lists for all the rest and deplete the personal savings they had. They are so happy to have running water again after two weeks without. Hot water will come later. Their pets are still with them. SO fortunate compared to others! Did I mention they both are over 80? Their grown son has helped them constantly. He is worn out, too—though the flood never touched his house.

Another couple I know did not want to call any of the Christian or city or United Way agency help lines. After all, they only had an inch or two of water in their basement. But that is enough to completely soak a carpet, make dressers fall into pieces and render a precious cedar chest unusable, and mold up every piece of camping equipment, along all their daughter's bedroom belongings, Christmas decorations and more. Fortunately, a Habitat for Humanity group already staying in our church made themselves available after their other work yesterday to come over and lift everything, including that horrid now-moldy carpet (it used to be red!), up out of the basement and to the curb. Across the street they could also watch the heavy-loading equipment driving and scooping up multiple building-high mounds of personal items and furniture that used to belong to everyone in the east-Waterloo neighborhood—last Saturday everyone who lived in the area was invited to dispose of it there—and the ones who had the energy and the strength did. My couple was a little behind—he has been out of work (self-employed) since a very difficult surgery 4 months ago, and she still limps from last year's hip-replacement surgery. They did enjoy sharing with the Habitat folks about the 17 years' worth of mission trips they used to go OUT on, around our country, shoulder-to-shoulder with friends from Methodist and Catholic churches—they called the group the "Metholics." Anyway, they now have had the energy to call a help line and get on a list. World Hope will take care of the next steps as soon as they can—and they are discipling the rest of us to help people like them and others in the future.

I found out two days ago that three predominantly Black churches were so flooded that they likely will never be in those buildings again. I know many others were greatly damaged. Parsonages have been damaged—including those of our own local UMC brothers and sisters and more I don't yet know of. Others, like ours, were not touched—which enables us to offer our worship space to share (we only have one Sunday service at 9am), and to pray for others, and to host work groups. We also are continuing with our brand new 1st & 3rd Wednesday Evening worship—that is bringing some new people in the doors—some who "don't do" Sunday mornings… we'll see.

I don't know what else to say—I'll share what I can as I can, but sitting in front of a computer to write is a luxury I used to do for an hour a day, and now simply try to find a few minutes here-and-there in order to catch up.

There has been incredibly low numbers as far as loss-of-life directly due to these hits—yet we all know that to each family that has lost THEIR loved one, the disaster is beyond hurt—as with everyone suffering at any time whether or not it makes the headlines. Keep praying for those now facing post-disaster injuries, depression and other mental afflictions, reactions from air tainted with mold or carbon monoxide, and more. We have to be so careful, and so caring, now and on into the future.

Let the Holy Spirit remind us all to be so careful and caring, in these situations, and the others everywhere day by day. May we all be ready to let our lights shine in the name of Jesus Christ, to help lighten another's darkness or share the load, to offer our time and worship and prayer and praise to the God who made us and loves us, including taking that Sabbath time to allow God to restore peace to our souls.

Please pass this on to whomever you think should read it. I don't know how to reach you all, and even those I could look up in directories of various kinds, I just don't have time right now. Bless you all.

In Christ,
"Pastor Sheryl" Eash Campbell
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
319-232-4790 Church number (secretary is in T, W and Th 8am-noon)
319-231-9161 (Pastor's cell phone—yes, it's really ok to call, but if I don't answer, leave a message PLEASE!)
Email: pastor@stpaulsumcwaterloo.com

Flood Help Links:
Iowa Conference United Methodist Church
Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
World Hope International
Samaritan's Purse

Reflections On the Week of June 8, 2008

The storm clouds gathered and the Upper Iowa River rose. One by one, the focus of the community shifted from ordinary weekend pursuits, to all of the droplets in ever-growing streams. Many grew earnest in prayer. Time stood still. Time rushed past.

My home is on the west side of Decorah in an area where a mandatory evacuation was issued on Monday. I heard the news on the radio early in the morning. I had just driven back to my house after spending the night helping residents of Aase Haugen Assisted Living get comfortable in the churches fellowship hall, (which had became their refuge during their evacuation). The Emergency Management Team had issued an evacuation order for two nursing homes and an area of Decorah which is known as Freeport at midnight. The river was flooding. Nursing home and assisted living residents had been awakened in the middle of the night, dressed, and placed on chartered busses, ambulances, school busses and van to make the trip across town to our church. It was disturbing for them and their staff. Our church members greeted them, held their hands and helped to soothe shaky spirits as the rain continued to fall, and the river continued to rise.

At dawn a mandatory evacuation was issued for the neighborhood where I reside. I had literally just turned into the driveway in hopes of lying down for an hour when I heard the news. And I was confused about the items which I should rescue. I picked a few things (clothes, shoes, bills, legal papers) and snatched the cats. When I walked out the door I did not know what the future held. We were told the dike was crumbling around Luther College, and I had images of my home floating away. At the same time all of those tangible things which fill it faded in their importance to me. The things that are truly important are intangible. What is important is my faith, family, church community, friends, memories and my health cannot wash away. Many along the Upper Iowa River who were also asked to evacuate understand my feeling.

Well, the damage to the dike was limited and so my neighbors and I could return to our home in the evening. All of us had water standing in our basements. Some had upwards of 6 feet, others less than 18 inches. The water in my completely finished basement rose 30 inches. Everything from Christmas decorations to dry wall to laminate flooring had to be carried out and immediately dried (or sent to the curb). I lost a lot of items and cleaning out was a daunting task. But capable church members heard the call. We created a central way for those who needed help to ask for it and those who could help to volunteer their services. I was also helped. It’s very humbling.

The lessons learned from a natural disaster are like pebbles that fall into a still lake. The pebble may drop in one spot, but ripples spread throughout the pond and touch other pond-dwellers. We are all changed by the experience. The way caring community and church members pulled together to face the flooding and its after-math was Godly and good. While a lot of people were helping me, others were helping different family and friends. All over the county people were helping each other. It is impossible to name everyone who sacrificed and helped beyond all expectations. Then again, people didn’t sand bag, muck out, make maid-rites or help their neighbor to gain recognition. People stepped up because it is what Christians are called to do. In other words we responded to the call of Christian duty.

I will never forget the events of June, 2008, but not because of the flood. I will never forget and always marvel at the community of Decorah’s (and First UMC’s) response to it. “Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

Carol Kress
First United Methodist, Decorah, Iowa

Loving Our Neighbor Teams

Matthew 25 is still feeling there is a need for listening ears and personal conversations. The Ministry Hub's plan is to send groups out with homemade cookies on Tuesday nights and Saturday mornings for the forseeable future.

Individuals are encouraged to meet at Sharon UMC, corner of 18th Ave. and 9th St SW at 6pm tonight and 9:30am Saturday. There will be a brief training and send off. Total time commitment is 1 1/2 hours.

There is no need to call ahead. Just show up on Tuesday or Saturday and show the people of Cedar Rapids impacted by the flood that you want to support them.

God's Peace,
Clint

On Doing What We Do

On Doing What We Do

It was a few weeks ago Friday evening and the water had risen.

Gathered in prayer for the healing and recovery front of us, the United Methodist Preachers planned and prayed for two hours. There were tears; there was support and an overwhelming feeling of God inspired resolve.

The water crested and began to subside. Tuesday morning, block by block the neighborhoods were being opened for folks to see what was left of their material lives. From the middle of it came a phone call, it was a colleague who simply said; “can you please come to my neighborhood.”

For years those were her people, the people of another neighborhood on the other side of the river with whom I and my congregation had little if any connection. That Tuesday everything changed. Her people – the whole neighborhood became what they always should have been – our people.

We quickly trained teams of pastors to go house to house offering an ear, shoulder, presence and prayer to those who had lost much of their “everything.” Simultaneously our volunteer structure was ignited and men and women with trucks and trailers began helping people move their possessions to storage places. Almost immediately tents were set up on the church lawn where water and refreshments for the already wearying workers could be given. Within half a day “muckers” from every manner of church, volunteer organization, circle of friendship and kinship began the process of removing the “muck” from homes.

No one knew the future – only the present seemed certain, people needed help and the Christians were there to offer it in voluminous ways. Why?

Steve Sjogren once wrote: “We love, we serve and care for others because that is the normal behavior for people who are filled with God’s Spirit. We are Christians. Christ was the ultimate servant. We can’t help but serve because the Spirit of the Servant has filled our hearts. When we serve, we are just being who we are naturally.” For me this has always been the essence of why we do what we do as individuals and as the body of Christ.

The opportunity before us is long and arduous. The opportunity before us has been mapped out by the Servant Master of us all who is willing and planning to walk it with us. There is much to do, much to pray for, many to be served all because it rained too much in Iowa this spring. We are committed as Christians to do what we do for however long it takes to heal our cities and state because simply; we are the Christians and for the time being, that is what we do.

In Greatest Expectation,
Rev. Mike Morgan
First UMC, Marion

Flood Helps St. James UMC Live Out It's Mission

Pastor Beth Straw pointed out that the flooding has actually enabled the St. James congregation to live out its mission, by enabling the congregation to get outside its walls and into the community, building stronger relationships with the people who live in the neighborhood surrounding the church. St. James has a makeshift “Hospitality Center” in the front yard where area residents can come for bottled water, masks, flood buckets, gloves, first aid kits, homemade cookies and brownies and just about anything else! Across the first tent, there is a banner that says: “Swimming Together” along with the God’s words: “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to give you a future with hope!” (Beulah Potter, a member of St. James and mother of UMC pastor Marlene Brown, shared this particular verse with Pastor Beth when Beth visited her in the hospital last week. Beulah’s house was later destroyed by the flood, and she passed away from cancer on Thursday morning. Her last legacy, however, was the proclamation of God’s presence and promise to the neighborhood in which she lived and which she loved.) St. James is proclaiming this promise of a future with hope in both word and deed. Even as they empty the contents of their own building, members are moving through the streets of the neighborhood, praying with people, distributing water and other needed supplies, and listening to stories.

They are beacons of hope!

Jon Gaul, in the North Central District Newsletter

Tornados, floods and so many disasters worldwide have really hit hard this spring. It can be seen by some as a test of faith. I was really encouraged this morning to hear a national news reporter comment that the flooding in Iowa seems to have strengthened people’s religious faith rather than weaken it. The report then ran a video clip of a flood victim who said God didn’t cause this to happen, but that God would help them get through it.

I am of a similar mind and belief. I believe God created this world to operate in an orderly pattern. We need to understand and respect that pattern, which includes storms, tornados, earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, and the list can go on. The occurrence of these phenomena can have disastrous effects, especially when they hit populated areas. However, I do not believe God causes these storms to punish us or even to teach us a lesson, although we should and do learn from them. They are a part of God’s naturally occurring creation and we need to respect them and minimize our risk of being affected by them. However, we cannot do away with all risk. Anywhere we live in this world, we can be affected by one or another of these occurrences. When they do occur, what we need to do is be ready to respond by witnessing to our faith and helping out in any way we can.

We have a number of churches in our district doing this. I tagged along with members from the Ogden church as they helped out in Parkersburg on June 10. It was an unbelievable sight to see the devastation there. You may wonder what difference a few people could make. But as they say, “many hands make light work,” and it will take many more hands to rebuild that community. Much of the big debris had been pushed into piles. Our job was to pickup the small pieces of debris that were everywhere. We started out at three house sites in a neighborhood that had been totally flattened. As we finished up and were getting ready to move on, one of the home owners happened to come by and then we knew it was worth it. He expressed such appreciation and was especially touched by the flowers the Ogden group planted in his yard to bring some life back to the area.

From the Bidwell-Riverside Center...

Our primary needs at the moment are for our Early Childhood Development Center—we lost two of our childcare rooms and all of the equipment and supplies for them. Also, our kitchen is gone, so we are doing the best we can to prepare food for 42 children out of a small kitchenette with a microwave! We have no reasonable way to wash dishes, so we are using LOTS of paper products. We are working hard to get back to normal, but my guess is that it will take most of the summer, so we’ll be needing supplies for awhile. These are the most needed things. Thanks for all your help.

We always need paper products, especially paper towels. Toilet paper is a close second. We currently do not have our dishwasher, so we are going through LOTS of paper products for meals (plates, 5 oz. cups, plastic spoons & napkins).

Our food pantry was also in the basement, so any canned vegetables or fruits. We are using a lot of the individual fruit cups for the children right now also.

If anyone wants to get something more for the children, we never have enough washable markers, this is a favorite of the children over crayons or colored pencils. We have been spending some extra time outside due to lack of central air, so outside toys would be helpful also (bubbles, sidewalk chalk, buckets, shovels, sprinkler, etc.)

As always, we will be buying extra things to “make due” for now, so money donations will be needed also.

Blessings,
Robert Crandall (rcrandall@bidwellriverside.org)
Executive Director, Bidwell Riverside Center

(The Bidwell-Riverside Center is located at: 1203 Hartford Ave, Des Moines, IA 50315 Phone: (515) 244-6251)

Helpful Reminders in Disaster Relief Response

I was able to work with a crew cleaning out at a house on Saturday and several things came to mind from a pastoral care perspective that I wanted to share. This is not anything new, but thought it just needed to be shared, especially with crews beginning to come in from out of town and out of state.

Taking photographs – Pictures are being taken by the team leaders for the purposes of documenting what is being done at each of the homes we are working on. Caution should be exercised by other members of the team in taking photos for their personal use. This could be perceived as an invasion of privacy, particularly if the pictures are of the home itself and the photos are taken without the permission and knowledge of the homeowner. Teams should be asked to use discretion, and if possible, ask the homeowner before taking pictures.

Handling what comes out of the house – Enthusiasm abounds when it comes to tackling the cleanup, but it should never be forgotten that these are people’s homes and their possessions, and though we see water-soaked furniture, mud-covered dishes and clothing, it also represents a lifetime for many of these folks and we need to handle things respectfully at all times. Side note: the gentleman we helped on Saturday had just lost his wife of many years the week before the flood. As I was walking back to get another load, I found a garbage can that someone had filled with items of clothing, shoes, etc., that were most likely his late wife’s. This 89-year-old man will never be able to go through the healing part of his grief by going through his wife’s things and deciding for himself what to keep and give away. That decision was made for him by the flood. So, teams need to put themselves in the homeowner’s places and handle things as respectfully and lovingly as possible, given the conditions.

Casual remarks – Again, enthusiasm abounds, but care needs to be taken so that off-hand remarks are not taken the wrong way and seem insensitive to the homeowner’s circumstances. Something said off the cuff may be a light-hearted attempt to alleviate some of the pressure of the situation, but may be very hurtful if overhead and misconstrued by the homeowner.

-Vicki Standley, Director of Pastoral Care, First United Methodist Church in Marion

Ways to Get Involved

Many persons have asked “how can I be physically involved in the clean up in Palo, Olin or Cedar Rapids?” A good and direct way in these early stages is to call 319.377.4856 (First Church in Marion) which is working with many UM local churches and groups coming on mission trips as the first response hub to organize and direct the projects. A four stage plan is in place for volunteer workers.
1) Move out “saveable” items.
2) Move out that which is damaged beyond repair.
3) Muck out the home/bleach and do mold kill
4) Begin deconstruction.

Deconstruction, the removal of drywall etc. is on hold to some extent because of city decisions regarding building permits and electricity. We will proceed with this work when given go ahead by local authorities. In a few weeks there will be opportunities for persons who have skills and abilities that do not include those things listed above.

As you volunteer for a day or longer period of time, please be ready to provide the name of your church, pastor’s phone and when you are able to come. More than a day’s notice is MOST helpful if you desire to be put to the most useful and effective work with the teams in place. Further, we are hesitant (because sadly of what we know about the world today) to take any “lone” volunteers, so groups, even of two or three are best.

We are organized early and ready AND need some empathy on the part of the eager helper to accomplish the most for the kingdom. Everyone in Cedar Rapids appreciated the love and prayers of God’s people.

-Rev. Mike Morgan

Update on Flood-Damaged Church Buildings in the Cedar Rapids Area

The Palo United Methodist Church reports that electricity has been restored, and they plan to worship in their sanctuary on June 29, 2008. Their basement, which received eight feet of flood water, has been mucked out and dried, and reconstruction will begin soon.

The St. James United Methodist Church building is heavily damaged. Extensive clean-up has been—and is—underway. The congregation is awaiting word from the city about whether building permits will be issued before any plans for reconstruction can be developed or efforts begin. St. James is currently worshipping at St. Mark’s UMC.

The Salem United Methodist Church building is heavily damaged. At this point, the future of the building is uncertain. Salem is currently worshipping at Lovely Lane UMC.

The Trinity United Methodist Church buildings consist of a sanctuary building which has housed the Matthew 25 Hub in the lower level, and a Christian Education/Office building which houses the Trinity Lane pre-school and Harley Steele Hall. At this point, the sanctuary building has been sealed off, and a private contractor has been hired to clean up the Christian education building. Trinity is currently worshipping at Asbury UMC.

The Matthew 25 Ministry Hub is temporarily relocated to the Sharon UMC, and will eventually move back into the Taylor neighborhood, likely with offices in the Harley Steele Hall at Trinity UMC.

Thanks to all who have volunteered, donated money and supplies, provided hospitality, and prayed for relief efforts in the Cedar Rapids area!

Indiana Youth Working at Olin

(Photos by Julie May)

The Morrisville, Indiana Youth are working VERY hard and making a difference in the lives of people!!!

-Rev. Julie May

The Latest from East Central

From Marion First UMC...
We deployed a number of groups today - Coggon, Hillcrest in Dubuque and Unicon, TN. They were engaged in “mucking” out.

At this point, over 30 groups now signed up for a week or so...

-Rev. Mike Morgan

Columbus Junction

Photos by Cathy Whitlach

Matthew 25, Cedar Rapids

She called from Louisiana today. She grew up a United Methodist and even attended a small town church in Iowa. Many years later, she teaches kids in a rough, low-income neighborhood in Louisiana. In her spare time, she has kids come over to her house for a Bible Study. She doesn't make a lot of money, but for at least the next year she wants part of her offering to go to helping kids in Cedar Rapids. So, she decided after a brief conversation, she will send $80 per month to help however she can. Maybe it can pay for a kid from a flooded home to go to pre-school or have some toys they lost. I asked her, "How did you find Matthew 25?" She said, "I was just searching the web for a way I could help and found you." Rest assured we will put ALL her money to use helping a child in need. It is amazing what people will do to help and how their story is connected to our story. Really, I guess it is all God's story of coming together in the face of adversity.

There have been many who have asked what Matthew 25 looks like right now. If you visit our web site, www.hub25.org, you will find a 6 minute walk through video of the space as it currently exists. It is not a pretty sight. We hope you will pass this video along to others. They can access it on YouTube as well. Obviously, we are in the midst of regrouping, but are also continuing to minister as best we can.
Thanks for all the support, whether through cookies or through showing up and walking the neighborhood. Your prayers and concern mean a lot. Beginning tomorrow, we will be joining Vista workers in assessing the Taylor Neighborhood. Our plan is to go from 1:30pm-3:00pm. Meet at Sharon UMC, corner of 18th Ave. and 9th St. if interested in helping. We will also be looking at some evening times in the next week and will let you know those as soon as we can.

May we all be a blessing to one another during this time of trial.God's Peace,
Clint Twedt-Ball

Cedar Rapids Prayer Service (From the CR GAZETTE)

More than 300 people from a variety of faith backgrounds gathered to pray, sing, mourn and celebrate together Tuesday night at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

The interfaith prayer service was organized to let victims of this month's flood — those who were personally affected and those who know people who were affected — pray for strength and comfort each other as the recovery and rebuilding process begins.

"This is a night of worship and opportunity to acknowledge that we are a community that is experiencing pain," said the Rev. Larry McGuire of Community of Christ Church in Hiawatha.

Worship leaders from across faith lines — including Christians, Jews, Buddhists and Muslims — offered words of prayer and encouragement. Representatives from 30 faith organizations, churches and ministries that were damaged or destroyed in the flood were acknowledged with a standing ovation.

Cedar Rapids photos

more photos from Brian Milford

Clean up Photos taken by Brian Milford

Palo, June 21

Literally hundreds of United Methodists from the Cedar Rapids metro area are in the city or at Palo today “mucking out” houses and churches. All the churches have teams and many communities nearby have sent teams as well. Supplies continue to roll in and be used almost immediately.

One interesting ministry has been the distribution of boxes to persons who can save things from the upstairs of their homes. United Methodists have delivered over 1000 boxes to persons and in many cases helped pack them up and carry them out of the homes to waiting trucks or cars.

A group worked under the leadership of Rev. John Howerton at the Palo UMC “mucking” out the basement. Every item in the basement was a complete loss, including the walls and appliances. The sanctuary is only slightly damaged by the humidity and should be able to be restored to its pre-flood beauty.

From Pictured Rocks, June 21

You all have been in the prayers of my staff and me. This past week several of my summer staff members were able to assist in the clean up efforts in the Cedar Rapids area and it touched them very deeply to see the hope and strong faith being expressed by the clergy and residents with whom they worked. You and your actions are inspiring to these young adults, keep up the great work.

I also wanted to write to let you all know that Pictured Rocks is available to you for that day of rest and renewal that everyone will need. All I ask is that you let me know the day you plan on coming so that we can have a place for you at meals and if you will need overnight facilities. There is no cost to you, we just ask that you allow us to provide a place apart.

Be bold, be strong,

Dave B-W

Rev. David Bracht-Wagner, Site Director
Pictured Rocks UM Camp & Retreat Center
12004 190th St. Monticello IA 52310
1-866-651-1223
www.picturedrocks.org
"Proud to Be Your Camp"

Pastors Meet for Prayer and Training

Pastors from the area surrounding Cedar Rapids have been meeting at St. Mark’s United Methodist in Cedar Rapids and the First United Methodist in Marion every morning at 9:30 AM for prayer and training to offer a first wave of pastoral care to residents and business owners in the effected neighborhoods in Cedar Rapids. Each day they have been deployed into the areas most recently opened by inspectors to offer a presence on behalf of the local churches for those “seeing” their properties for the first time. The stories of grief and loss are countless. The frustration of those who cannot yet be let into their home, even when they can see it is great. Conversation, counsel, prayer and the simple presence has been an important first wave in our UM ministry.

Cleaning Up in Cedar Rapids

Roy Pettibone, Bill Werner and Toby Lawrence members of First United Methodist in Marion along with 8 college students and father in law Rev. Emmanuel Tablisema “mucked” out the home of Rev. Courtney Ball today. First, the garage was cleaned and the floor power washed so that undamaged things from the upper level of the home could be stored. Second the cleaning of the house where the water was 7 or 8 feet high began. Furniture, appliances, cupboards all were placed on the curb for disposal while glassware and salvageable items were cleaned. Then, bucket by bucket several inches of muck was taken out of the basement. This is first wave cleaning and will be needed on literally thousands of homes in the Cedar Rapids area in the next few weeks.

People Pulling Together

I don't know about the rest of you, but Iowa feels like it is falling apart right now. The good part is that we are all hanging in there together and it seems like communities are really holding one another up. I was surprised when one of my parishoners came to bible study on Tuesday and brought our Annual Conference passage up... she didn't realize it was the AC scripture, but she said that it had given her comfort in these last few days. And with so many people unable to return to their homes, for who knows how long, it continues to be such a relevant and meaningful passage.

I was blessed to be in Cedar Rapids today and walk through some neighborhoods with other local ministers offering pastoral care and just listening to stories. It is heart breaking - but so many people were helping one another... there was one woman who said that she and her neighbor had not spoken for 10 years because of some long forgotten dispute - and they talked today for the first time. It's just so powerful about how people pulled together and helped.

Katie Z. Dawson
Pastor at Marengo UMC

Matthew 25, Cedar Rapids, June 20

Matthew 25 Friends and Supporters:

During the past several days Courtney and I have been incredibly moved by the outpouring of support from many of you. Your questions, prayers and concerns have meant a lot to us. We want to send this e-mail to you to update you on the Matthew 25 Ministry Hub flood damage and to let you know ways you can help the people of the Taylor Neighborhood.

First, the damage. As you can imagine, probably 70% of the Taylor Neighborhood was underwater last weekend. Included in this were nearly all the helping agencies in the area. Taylor Elementary had three feet of water inside. Matthew 25 was completely filled with water. Fortunately, we had moved many items up one level. However, even that level had water three inches deep, just enough to seep into many of our computers. The main area where Matthew 25 was housed is similar to other pictures you have seen. Doors are swollen shut. Large sheets of paint are falling off the ceiling and walls. Mud coats everything. At this point, we are unsure of how salvageable the space is, but we are in conversations with Trinity about cleaning, rehabilitation and forward momentum in the ministry. Beyond Matthew 25, Courtney's house also had water half way up the first floor.

In the midst of this, we believe the Matthew 25 Ministry Hub is now more important to the people of the Taylor Community than ever before. Already, we are working at ways to support people as they rebuild their lives. Thanks to the generosity of Sharon UMC we have new space for offices and programming. This space is located just south of the Taylor Neighborhood, in Sharon UMC on the corner of 18th Ave. and 9th St. Our phone number, 362-2214 remains the same and our e-mail addresses of clint@hub25.org and courtney@hub25.org continue to work. Truly, in the midst of this storm, Matthew 25 is blessed. Our goal is to be a blessing to others and to help reweave some of the community connections that have been ripped apart by this flood.

Many of you have asked us about ways you can help the neighborhood and Matthew 25. We appreciate your patience as we figure out how best to be in ministry. Here are our thoughts on how all of us can best put our faith into action at the present time.

Neighborhood Meals Program- This is the free lunch program served at Matthew 25. These meals provide a great gathering place for those in the Taylor community and we believe it is important to continue these now, more than ever. In order to do this we need your help.

Needed are:

• Volunteers to help with meals and children's activities from 11:30am-1:30pm
• People willing to transport food from Echo Hill Presbyterian in Northeast Cedar Rapids to Sharon UMC between 11:15am-12pm
• Donations of paper plates, napkins, silverware and cups to serve meals upon
• Loving Our Neighbors Teams- Initially, these teams will travel the Taylor Neighborhood in teams of 2-3. They will drive through the neighborhood with water, snacks, hand wipes, information packets and listening sheets, asking our neighbors how we can best support them. These teams will be sent out from Sharon UMC at 9:30am and 1:00pm Monday-Friday.
• E-mail us or call if you want to be a part of these teams in one of the following ways.
• People willing to attend training sessions and be on these teams (some of whom can drive)
• Lead volunteers to act as coordinators for these teams: Donations of Home Made Cookies, eight to a package in ziploc bags, Hand wipes and sanitizer

Clean-Up Teams- We are going to need volunteers that are able and willing to help clean-up churches, agencies and houses in the Taylor Neighborhood. In the next few days we will need some volunteers with trucks to help wipe down and transport items to our temporary location. Matthew 25, Trinity UMC and Courtney specifically are in need of loaned generators, power washers and wet vacs. Contact Clint at 270-3113 if interested in helping specifically with Matthew 25.

If you are able to lend any skills towards helping others clean up, please contact Melisa Bracht-Wagner at 480-4469 and let her know you are interested in helping anywhere, but especially in the Taylor Neighborhood.

Finally, Matthew 25 is helping to organize and lend support to a neighborhood meeting for Taylor residents that will take place on Saturday, June 20th at 2pm at Jefferson High School. If any pastors are available to provide for potential pastoral care needs following this meeting, please let Clint know.

Our hope is that these items give everyone who is feeling called an opportunity to be the hands and feet of God in the midst of this tragedy. People are hurting and we pray that we can be present to them. Thanks for all your prayers and support.

God's Peace,

Clint Twedt-Ball and Courtney Ball

Images of Trinity UMC, Cedar Rapids, June 19

(Images by Susan Wolfe)

Bishop Palmer visit to Cedar Rapids - June 18

Bishop Palmer visited the afflicted areas of Cedar Rapids on Wednesday, June 18th.

Bishop Palmer inside the Salem UMC in Cedar Rapids

Cathy Whitlach shows Bishop Palmer some of the flooded area.

Triage Care and an Opportunity

Yesterday several of us were present for folks in the St. James UMC neighborhood as “triage” pastoral care. This was very necessary.

This morning about 8 others went into this same neighborhood about 3 hours after people were let into their homes. We were particularly focused on the St. James congregation (because Beth Straw called us in) and because we believed others were helping elsewhere. We will be sending these types of groups from St. Mark’s UMC and FUMC Marion at 9:30 AM each of the next two days. All clergy are invited to come and be deployed in this task.

Long term care is being put in place through a consortium funneling into the Iowa Disaster Human Resource Council.

Rev. Mike Morgan
First UMC, Marion

Palo Church conditions, June 18

If you enter the church through the front door, everything looks normal. The only indication of anything wrong is the dampness and the musty smell.

Look down the steps and you see the problem. The water in the basement reached the top of the door at the bottom of the sanctuary steps. That's a height of over 6 feet. When I was in the church today at 3:30, the water level in the basement was about 5.5 inches. I spoke with Dick Bull, who has several large pumps and had offered to drain the water. It appears the water is finding its own way out through the floor and/or foundation. So, we'll wait and see if it will drain by itself. I will check the level again tomorrow afternoon. If it's not dropping, we'll pump it. If we're lucky, it may be gone. The walls outside the church appear normal and the drop of water inside would indicate that there's no danger of the foundation collapsing.

However, regardless of how the water gets out, we need to deal with the mess it leaves behind.

It's probably safe to say that everything in the basement is lost. The refrigerators are laying face down. The cabinets and counters have floated away. The TV is under water - every chair is muddy. Every table has been moved. At a level of 6 feet, the water touched everything, including the Christmas tree on top of the folding chair rack. Actually, that rack is probably the only thing that's in the same spot. Even the sinks have been moved.

We need people to come to the church Saturday morning to help us move everything out. There will be a lot of junk, but we also need people to look at what needs to be saved. We'll need volunteers to take dishes home and wash them. We'll need to have all of the folding chairs and tables washed. We also need to decide on the paneling and carpet - whether to rip it all out or try to clean it.

We have a FEMA case number, but we're not covered by any insurance and I doubt we'll be eligible for anything from the government other than a small business loan. I don't yet know what the Iowa Annual Conference may be able to provide in terms of financial assistance.

Please be watching for an update tomorrow evening on the water level and the plan for Saturday. Plus, I will finalize the location for the Sunday worship service.

Thanks.

John
(Rev. John Howerton is Pastor of the Palo UMC)

Coralville United Methodist Church, June 17

Just wanted to let you know what we are up to in Coralville. We've been organizing sandbagging crews. Rev. Beverly Marshall-Goodell and I have been asked to coordinate crisis counseling from faith community leaders in the area (We are on the executive committee of the Counsel of Religious Communities). The CRC is holding a meeting this Wednesday 10-12am at Tiffin UMC to discuss how faith communities can be working to support other releif work. In 1993 faith communities in IC distributed over $1 million in aid (according to one pastor here then). I understand Harlan Gilespie was instrumental in that effort so tap into him in CR.

CUMC is having conversations about hosting volunteer groups who need floor space and cooking facilities. We had our first takers today. While sandbagging one in our crew happened onto a group of 14 from Witchita Kansas First UMC who were on their way to Wisconsin for a mission trip, ran into closed roads, and decided to stop and help. They were hoping to find a Methodist Church with whom they might stay. We've got showers across the street at the City Recreation Center and they are bedding down in the fellowship hall tonight.

One person at CUMC has suggested a part time staff hire for a Director of Volunteer Coordination and Disaster Relief to coordinate our own volunteer teams and those who may travel into town from elsewhere over the next few months. I was in conversation with someone about fundraising for that position. We already have a couple of candidates.

I know the worst hasn't yet hit IC and Coralville. We're keeping CR in our prayers.

Peace,

Doug
Douglas E. Williams, D.Min
Coralville United Methodist
www.godscumc.org

East Central District, June 17

In Cedar Rapids, the Salem UMC, St. James UMC, Trinity UMC, and the Matthew 25 Ministry Hub have all experienced significant damage from the flooding. The full extent of the damage will not be known until they are allowed to go in and inspect the damage, hopefully by later this week. The Salem congregation is worshiping on Sundays at 11 at Lovely Lane UMC. The St. James congregation is worshipping on Sundays at 10:45 at St. Mark’s UMC. The Trinity congregation is worshipping on Sundays at 11 at Asbury UMC. Please be in prayer for these congregations.

While being interviewed on KCRG Channel 9, the Rev. Linda Bibb shared a powerful testimony in the way she reframed the situation that the Salem congregation finds itself in. When asked how her church is doing while showing a picture of the building almost covered by floodwater, Linda told of how her people had worked to evacuate other members of the congregation and people in their neighborhood in the days and hours before the flooding began. She reminded KCRG---and all of us---that that’s the church. She said: “So we’re sad about our building, but Salem Church is doing well.” Thanks be to God for this faithful witness---that while our buildings are precious to and indeed-holy ground—the church is not the building!

-Jill Sanders

Charles City, from June 9

The Cedar River, which goes through Charles City, crested this afternoon, with record flooding along the entire Cedar River valley. We are on the NE side of the river and not able to go to the SW part of town. There was a footbridge open this morning for pedestrian crossage in the middle of town, but that was closed off late this morning. Many, many homes are flooded along the river. The historic suspension bridge is gone. The two main traffic bridges are closed and they are still concerned that they might be stressed beyond use. We haven't had any calls for assistance at the church, however I was just across the street to the YMCA and talked with the Salvation Army coordinator and the Y director. They are coordinating with the Red Cross, and I offered any assistance our church might be able to provide. They're set up with cots and food for 30 people tonight. There were a few people there last night, and they expect between 20-30 toight. Ironically, this is one of the most beautiful days we've had, weather-wise, for a long time... low humidity and pleasant temps with a mild wind.

I have a feeling things are going to get pretty busy around here as the clean-up processes begin and as we learn about the specific needs of all those affected. We've begun cancelling events already. The Youth Fest that was scheduled for Saturday is postponed. I'm not sure we'll be able to go ahead with our Vacation Bible School this week because of the uncertainty of accessability by bridge and the availability of our teachers and volunteers. We'll make a call on that tomorrow when the staff is here. I'll update as I know more. Please keep our community in your prayers.

Thanks,

Gary VanWert
June 9, 2008

First UMC Marion Preps to Help

FUMC, Marion did not experience any flooding. We did lose 8 member homes. We are 5 miles from Cedar Rapids, which lost 5,000 homes and 3 United Methodist Churches. Of course, area towns of Iowa City, Anamosa, Palo, Vinton, and many others are also under water.

The website, http://www.fumcmarion.org/Flood/floodhome.html lists supplies that are needed, how to register to help and other essential information

Volunteer coordinator is Pastor Melisa Bracht-Wagner who is the Associate Pastor at First UMC, Marion. You may register by email or contact the church at 319/377-4856 or the coordinator’s cell phone at 319/480-4469 to offer assistance.

Cedar Rapids Trinity UMC

Cedar Rapids Trinity UMC, located at 400 3rd Ave. SW, was also severely flooded this past week, as well as the entire Taylor Elementary neighborhood that Trinity resides in.

We met to worship yesterday at the generous invitation CR Asbury UMC at 11:00, where we will continue to meet for the foreseeable future as the waters continue to recede and we are able to assess the situation in our property and determine how best we can serve the community we live in.

I want to echo the sentiments shared by my colleague and dear friend, Rev. Linda Bibb of Salem UMC, in comments that I shared with the Trinity congregation yesterday - that the church is alive and well, because the church is the people, and not the building. Some of the Trinity faithful have been members for upwards of 70 years or more, and we believe that there is a difference between "going to church", and "being the church". We stand ready to not only rebuild Trinity, but to continue to reach out to the Taylor neighborhood with love and whatever assistance we can offer.

On this side of eternity, everything that has happened in the 100 year history of the current Trinity sanctuary - worship, prayer, Scripture, fellowship, etc - is not considered to be a "lost history", but rather it is what has prepared us to live in THIS MOMENT, that the "peace that passes all understanding" that all believers can experience through faith in Jesus Christ will sustain us and carry us through the task ahead.

Faithfully,
Rev. Bob Voels
Pastor, Trinity UMC

Iowa is a Red Cross Level 5 Disaster

I’ve just returned home from a training for Red Cross volunteers. The man leading the training was from Dallas, TX. At the beginning of our time together, he shared that the worst two national disasters---Hurricane Katrina and 9/11—were classified by the Red Cross and FEMA as Level 6 Disasters. What is taking place in eastern Iowa has been classified Level 5. Please continue to pray for us as the magnitude of this disaster begins to sink in!! Twenty per cent of the CR population has been displaced. We are going to need your help!

Peace,
Jill Sanders

Saturday, June 14, 2008

(Salem United Methodist Church, Cedar Rapids

Photo by Jill Sanders)

As of today, 83 of Iowa's 99 counties have been declared state disaster areas. Eighteen counties have been designated as federal disaster areas. Cedar Rapids is innundated. Iowa City is in peril. Levees in parts of Des Moines have given way.

The Storms 2008 section of the Iowa Annual Conference (United Methodist) website - http://www.iaumc.org/page.asp?PKValue=1383, has audio and photo pages and updates on how churches and parsonages are faring.

Current inter-faith responses to the Storms are posted at: www.iowawaters.blogspot.com

Please use this blogsite to share your experiences, post photographs, list links of helpful information and offer suggestions about how others can cope with this crisis.