Courtesy Photo Chandler FUMC members help out Salem United Methodist Church in Orange, Tx. The Salem United Methodist Church of Orange, Texas, was devastated by Hurricane Ike in September, 2008. When the hurricane surge receded and the hurricane moved inland and northeast, Salem UMC was left with 18-inches of standing water and sludge.

The insurance deemed the church as non-repairable, but the parishioners whose heart loved their community presence and church building thought otherwise. With the help of UMCOR they cleaned out the water, mud and debris. They tore out the ruined carpet, baseboards, wallboards and wiring that was ruined. The mold and weakened parts of the structure were removed and they began the hard work of replacing and restoring the building.

All appliances had to be scrapped and anything stored in lower cabinets had to be pitched. All the items that were tossed around by wind and water had to be discarded. Some wood items such as church pews were professionally

cleaned and repaired.

Although a scant week after the hurricane, the church people were allowed into their structure and they worshiped on cement floor scrubbed clean by soap, water and elbow grease (no electricity). The tools that allowed for an expanded ministry and mission outreach in the community had to be accumulated again.

In January 2009 the Chandler First United Methodist Church and the community of Chandler adopted Salem and under the leadership of the Chandler United Methodist Women began the replacement of the kitchen items. Microwave, freezer, roasters, can openers, cooking pots, silverware and china, glasses, cooking utensils, rice cookers, cookie sheets, pitchers, knives, serving ware, and all the accesso- ries that allow for sweet fellowship and outreach had to be replaced.

On January 31 the items were blessed and consecrated to the work of the Lord. Rev. Carolyn McCall and her Hospitality United Methodist Women are pictured as well as the Steering committee of First United Methodist Church of Chandler.