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Eyewitness to UMCOR Sunday’s value

Posted on by DeMoss
UMCOR assists Detroit clean-up
The Greater Detroit District with the help of The Michigan Conference and UMCOR responded quickly when torrential rainds damaged homes and churches in Wayne and Washtenaw counties June 26-27, 2021. Cheryl Tipton (l) was there when volunteers from Troy Korean UMC joined members of Detroit Resurrection UMC to muck out their building. ~ photo courtesy Cheryl Tipton

Cheryl Tipton served as UMCOR case manager and district disaster response coordinator when Detroit suffered flooding over the past six years. UMCOR Sunday lays the foundation for relief and recovery.

CHERYL TIPTON
Disaster Response Coordinator, Greater Detroit District

I have witnessed up close and personal how generous donations on UMCOR Sunday make a difference in the lives of communities and individuals upset by flooding.

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) responds to U.S. and international disasters. As a Disaster Case Manager working with flood survivors in West Detroit in 2015-2016, 2019, and now, the hands of UMCOR guided me into survivor’s home and provided direct assistance from disaster relief, recovery, and a sense of normalcy.

With UMCOR’s help, we don’t just respond short-term. It takes community, churches, volunteers, businesses, nurturing relationships, and connecting neighbors to help survivors rebuild during the months following the disaster.

Cherly and leaders at 2nd Grace UMC in Detroit Michigan
On July 29, 2021, a group of leaders visited United Methodist churches affected by the June flooding. L-r: Dan O’Malley, Conference Disaster Response Coordinator; Beth Titus, Director of Justice and Mission Engagement for Greater Detroit District; Cheryl Tipton, UMCOR Case Manager; Bishop David Bard; Gordon Marshall, 2nd Grace Trustee Chair; and District Superintendent Charles Boayue. ~ photo courtesy 2nd Grace UMC

Survivors have told me that for a while they just felt beat, good and beat. To quote Ma Joad from The Grapes of Wrath, “Looked like we didn’t have nothing in the world but enemies–wasn’t nobody friendly anymore. It made me feel bad and scared too–like we was lost…and nobody cared.” Let’s continue to give to help people know that they are not alone when disaster strikes.

Make no mistake, the recovery from flooding in the greater Detroit metropolitan area is far from over. People are still living with basements filled with debris and dangerous mold. People lived in a cold house all this winter because last summer their furnace was destroyed. Some yet today only have cold water in their house because their hot water tank was destroyed last June.

Remember. 100% of any gift to a specific UMCOR project will go towards that project and not administrative costs. UMCOR would not be able to do this work without your support for UMCORD Sunday. Your financial giving and volunteering make a difference!

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.” Justice, mutuality, and partnership are what UMCOR is all about. Thank YOU for being a partner by giving to UMCOR Sunday on March 27 and through your gifts for disaster recovery throughout the year.

Last Updated on September 20, 2022

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The Michigan Conference