As we see fewer and fewer images of the devastation from the tornados in Oklahoma, it will be easy for many to move on to whatever is the next big news event.  I know that this is the reality of life. But the people in Moore and in other communities in Oklahoma will not be moving on for quite some time. Their lives are forever changed and I understand that more now than ever before.

I spent Wednesday at a meeting where I was updated on the ongoing relief efforts and to begin conversations about long term recovery efforts. As we planned for this meeting we talked with some of our UCC pastors in the Oklahoma City area and decided we wanted our conversations and our work on long term recovery to be a coordinated and an ecumenical effort.  So, thanks to Rev. Chris Moore at Mayflower UCC, on this past Wednesday, I met with UCC pastors and lay leaders, Florence Coppola the UCC Executive for Disaster Ministries, her counterparts from the Disciples, my counterpart from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and representatives from the Unitarians, Catholic Charities, the Jewish and Muslim communities, Oklahoma State and the staff person from FEMA who serves as the liaison to volunteer agencies. The meeting was hosted by Mayflower UCC in Oklahoma City. 

Here is some of what I learned:

The immediate needs of people affected are being met, there are however many challenges. One example, there are places for people to do laundry, but if their car was destroyed, they have difficulty getting there. Finding long term housing is a challenge even if there are financial resources. Even though there are many continuing challenges, the focus is beginning to shift from relief to recovery.

In addition to the tornados in Moore, there were tornados on Sunday evening that killed two people and affected smaller areas and communities; these communities are Carney, Little Ax, Bridge Creek and Bethel Acres.   These areas have received very little media attention and initially all of the focus was on Moore, but assistance is now being directed to those areas as well. 

FEMA is onsite and so far they have had 6600 applications for assistance. This too is a process and it is important to remember that FEMA was never intended to "make a person whole" after a disaster; it is just one of the resources. Small Business Administration Disaster loans, insurance and the support of nonprofit organizations are also key partners.

The long term recovery is led by Long Term Recovery Groups that form locally and it is important for "our folks" to be at the table especially to advocate for those who may be overlooked. It can take a long time (3-6 months or more) for long term recovery groups to form and organize themselves. Since these groups are local each community operates differently. We will just need to wait for these groups to form in Oklahoma. The organization that will likely take the lead is Oklahoma VOAD (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters). 

 LOTS of bottled water has been sent, please do NOT send more; and do not send used clothing, etc.  While people mean well, it takes time to sort through all of this, and finding storage is challenging. In fact, in the words of our Disciples friends, the best thing to do right now is to PRAY.

Also, remember it is not time yet for mission trips to Oklahoma! One community had a 1,000 unplanned volunteers on Sunday and the community of Carney was completely overrun and overwhelmed. Also, clean up requires environmental protection gear, work gloves, specific tools and the permission of the persons who own the property. Volunteer labor will be needed for the long haul, but coordination and planning for this is key. So for now, STAY home!

If you really want to help, PAY, open check books! The dollars you are sending to the KO Conference and the national setting will help meet immediate needs as we learn of them and will be used primarily for the long term recovery efforts, long after the media spotlight has moved on. 
 

As a result of this meeting, the UCC persons present are now exploring the possibility of working with the schools in a more formal way. The schools that were destroyed lost everything and this may be an avenue for direct assistance.  Our UCC colleagues have some excellent contacts on the school board and will continue to work on this possibility. We will share what we learn and how we might help as the schools are rebuilt. 

Following the meeting, Florence Coppola and I went to Moore. Like all of you, I have seen the images on TV; even so I was stunned by the devastation. I know there used to be a neighborhood where we were, but all that was left were piles and piles of wood, trash, cars and rubble. Florence reminded me that what just looks like trash are the possessions of people and perhaps pictures and treasured keepsake are buried. I have a hard time even imagining how people will begin to move forward, to rebuild their lives, But there were people doing just that...working and beginning to clear out the rubble, pick up the pieces and saying that they are planning to rebuild.  

Even though the images will fade from our television sets, we have pledged our ongoing tangible support and prayers.  The Annual Meeting in October is in Norman, Oklahoma, just 10 minutes from Moore. We will also be exploring if there is some way we can offer support when we gather later this year.  Until then, remember PRAY, STAY and PAY.  

 
 
Edith Guffey
Conference Minister