Early Response Team
The Mission of an Early Response Team (ERT) is to provide a caring Christian presence in the aftermath of a disaster.
Early Response Team
An Early Response Team (ERT) is neither a first response group of emergency workers nor a recovery rebuild or repair team; rather it fills a specific need in the early days after a disaster to establish the presence of the church. While there are specific tasks assigned to early response teams, no task is more important than the people it serves.
ERTs were first created by the United Methodist Church in the mid-1990s. It began, as it remains today, as a cooperative effort between the United Methodist Committee On Relief (UMCOR) and the United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM).
It is also important to understand that ERTs are trained primarily to respond within their own community. The FUMC of Morris ERT does not need an invitation to respond in our own community or in our own Methodist district. To travel to another district, conference, or jurisdiction, requires an invitation from the affected community.
Early Response Team members are trained to respond to disasters. Our team has traveled to Coal City, Ottawa, West Virginia, Texas, and other places near and far to help clean up after floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes. In the process, they’re able to offer prayer to those affected by these disasters and illustrate Jesus’ compassion for those who suffer.
The Early Response Team is a ministry of the United Methodist Committee on Relief.
Any ERT service request should be directed to the First United Methodist Church Office at (815) 942-0809 or contact Colin Monk at (815) 941-2383 or (815) 603-9253.
If you would like more information about ERT or if you are interested in becoming an ERT member, please contact Colin Monk at (815) 941-2383 or (815) 603-9253.
