FOCUS ON THE VISION
DENISE WALTON
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. John 15:12 (NIV)
Emily Skinner serves as Administrative Assistant for the Office of Connectional Ministries. She has a vital role in assisting team members with projects, providing professional hospitality, and resourcing persons who contact our office.
As Hurricane Matthew approached the area, Emily and several friends evacuated to Valdosta. Upon returning to her home, she noted all was well, and she and a few friends immediately organized to help neighbors clear small debris from their homes.
“We wanted to help and responded to the needs of our neighbors,” she said.
As The United Methodist Church, we are constantly responding to the needs of our neighbors at home and abroad. The power of the connection is always at work, but when disaster hits, the power of love shared in connection and community becomes more evident.
In the South Georgia Conference, we are still in the assessment phase of disaster recovery. Luis Morales, Conference Disaster Coordinator, and Allison Lindsey, Associate Director of Connectional Ministries, remain diligent in the work of receiving requests for assistance and connecting with the state and federal leadership of disaster response.
An Emergency Response Team training event was held Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016. Rev. Rick Hamilton conducted the training event. For additional training dates, please visit
www.sgaumc.org/erttrainings.
There is much more to do in the days and weeks ahead as our churches and communities recover. I believe there are many stories to share as neighbors directly reach out to help neighbors. Some local congregations have provided shelter and others have provided direct services to evacuees. Many are sharing gifts of time and money. Still others have been in constant prayer and have offered support for all affected in our area and beyond.
Let’s continue to be in prayer for areas impacted within the South Georgia Conference, our local neighbors, and our brothers and sisters in Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina.
If you have a story to share about the power of connection and community in your area, contact Kara Witherow, Advocate Editor, at
kara@sgaumc.org.
Click here for more information and ways to give.
Rev. Denise Walton serves as the Assistant to the Bishop for Connectional Ministries. Contact her at denise@sgaumc.org.
