Wherever we are called
Disasters happen all over our nation wherever and whenever we least expect them. When disaster strikes, communities are devastated by the loss. In order to love our neighbors, Disaster Response Ministries at FFUMC equip us to be a prepared and grace-filled body of servants ready to help as needed.
We respond to disasters in two unique ways. One way we are called to serve is by sending our trained Early Response Team to assist in communities that have been impacted by the recent disaster. This ministry happens after local emergency responders have completed the necessary search and rescue work. Upon invitation, UMCOR or Annual Conferences reach out to the Tennessee Western Kentucky Conference disaster leadership to request ERTs to assist with relief work. Our ERTs are trained by a UMCOR-certified trainer to work with compassion and grace in assisting survivors to restore their homes to a safe and secure state. ERTs are available to serve when invited, typically within 30 days of a disaster.
The second way our Disaster Response work takes shape is through the collection of Relief supplies. When disasters strike, the first things to empty on local shelves are often the items most needed by those affected. That is when the local United Methodist Conference works together to collect items such as clean-up kits, Personal Hygiene Kits, and Feminine Hygiene Kits, as guided by UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief). Individuals and families can shop and donate completed kits or donate financially to the church which then purchases items in bulk to complete more kits. In addition to collecting items when there is a disaster, FFUMC seeks to be prepared by maintaining completed kits and storing those items so that we can have an immediate response to a disaster.
Disaster Response is shared work in the United Methodist Connection, Franklin First chooses to further develop these ministries within our congregation due to the generosity and passion of our faith family. You can become involved in the mission of Disaster Response by being trained as an ERT member or by awaiting the call to collect relief items. We never know when the next disaster will come, and we wait on local leaders to invite us to respond. However the ask comes, FFUMC is prepared to love and serve our neighbors affected by disasters.