What is REACH?

Rural Emergency Action for CHurches, or REACH, is a program designed to assist rural United Methodist Churches to better prepare themselves in providing immediate assistance following a disaster and provide a UMC presence in the community during a time of need.

How Can We Participate?

MERCI has invited rural United Methodist Churches to participate in the REACH program.

What are the benefits for participating in REACH?

Church and Personal awareness of being prepared for a disaster
A Generator to run lights, refrigerator, and communications at the church
A $2500 grant to purchase disaster supplies for the church and community
A Trained Early Response Team capable of assisting in local and regional disasters
Disaster T-Shirts to identify disaster teams
Becoming a Church center to care for the community during a time of disaster
A MERCI sponsored lunch for the entire Church following the training

What Must We Do?

Agree to a 12 hour training session (Fri. night, Sat. and Sun.) with key church members
Provide training space and lunch on Saturday
Complete a Local Church Disaster Preparedness Plan (with approved plan)
Agree to be the focal point for disaster recovery in our community
Advise MERCI that you want to be a part of the REACH program

What is Included in the Training?

The Conference Plan and your Church
Local Community Resources
Your Church as a Distribution Center/Shelter
Early Response Team (4-5 hours, others encouraged to attend)
Case management overview
Damage assessment
Individual Family Preparedness (during Sunday School)
Organizing the Local Church Plan
Volunteer Management

Who Must Attend the Training Session?

2 from Board of Trustees
2 from Administrative Board
2 from Missions Committee
Local Church Disaster Response Coordinator (1 person)
1 Pastor
2 Youth representatives
1 each from UMM and UMW
1 Community Representative (fire, police, EM)

Register Today

Download the registration form, print and complete, sign and return to MERCI.

Additional Resources

Read about Local Church Disaster Preparedness.

Read about District and Conference Disaster Preparedness.

Visit the Ready NC website sponsored by the NC Department of Crime Control and Public Safety. This website provides North Carolinians with useful information needed to prepare for all types of emergencies.