Special Offering for Fires on Sunday, September 20th (Letter from Bishop Brown)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

My heart aches as I watch wildfires burn across our Conference.  We have dozens of parishoners who have lost homes, while others are still uncertain as to whether or not their homes are still standing.  Even in the midst of destruction, hope rises from the ashes.  We have received word that Middletown Community UMC is still standing, although damage has not been assessed.  We have also received word the fire changed directions and Camp Lodestar is still standing.

I continue to be inspired by the faithful witness of our United Methodist congregations in the surrounding areas of the fires.  They are housing folks, providing meals, providing sleeping bags, gas vouchers, and demonstrating Christian presence where God has placed them for such a time as this.

I am calling on all of our United Methodist congregations in the California-Nevada Conference to take a special offering this Sunday, September 20, during your worship services to aid our brothers and sisters.

Your support for the California-Nevada Conference Disaster Response Fund will be most helpful right now.  This fund is almost completely depleted.  This fund allows us to send financial support immediately to United Methodists involved in disaster response work across our annual conference.  We have received grants from the United Methodist Committee On Relief (UMCOR) for Rocky/Lake County Fire, and the Butte/Amador County Fire.  Our Conference Disaster Response Fund has allowed us to meet immediate needs until UMCOR grants arrive, and to meet needs not covered with those grants. UMCOR grants require some matching funds from the conference whenever possible.  Money from our Conference Disaster Response Fund yields many thousands of dollars in UMCOR grants to the conference for disaster response.

For churches wishing to donate through the California-Nevada Conference for immediate relief for the fire disasters, make checks payable to “California-Nevada Annual Conference,” and write “CN Disaster Response” in the memo line.  Churches can add their donation on their tithing form and annotate in the area as “other designated giving.”  Mail checks to the California-Nevada Conference Center, P.O. Box 980250, West Sacramento, CA 95798-0250. For churches, or persons, wishing to donate online,click here.

The California-Nevada Conference has benefited tremendously from the United Methodist Committee On Relief (UMCOR) as we have responded to natural disasters within the bounds of the Conference.  Your donations to UMCOR are also welcomed. To donate to UMCOR, click here.

Let us continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in the affected areas.

“The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” (Psalm 46:11)

Grace and Peace,

Warner H. Brown, Jr.
Resident Bishop