September 28, 2024
Dear Friends,
We, like many of you, have seen the devastating images coming from all around the southeast in the wake of Hurricane Helene. We cannot begin to imagine the lives that have been lost, and the lives that have been uprooted for many of our neighbors.
As we gather throughout the Virginia Conference for worship tomorrow, our sincere hope is that we can lean into our connectional nature in the coming hours and days. Below are recommended ways your local church can respond during worship tomorrow and as we discern how to best be neighbors in the coming days:
- Pray. During worship on Sunday, September 29, we would encourage you to have a time of prayer for those impacted by Hurricane Helene. The prayer offered by Bishop Ken Carter, Resident Bishop of the Western North Carolina Conference, is an excellent resource: https://www.wnccumc.org/newsdetail/bishop-carter-offers-a-prayer-for-the-people-of-western-north-carolina-18661825
- Prepare. We don’t yet know the complete extent of the damage from Helene or the exact needs our neighbors will have. We anticipate having more clarity about this in the coming days. In this time of waiting, we invite you to consider if you or people in your church have the ability or availability to be part of assisting with clean up efforts as those are organized. Discern how you might be able to lend a helping hand. Most of all, imagine what can be done together as we work connectionally to be present for those most directly affected by the storms of this week.
- Provide. One specific, immediate form of assistance to offer at this time is through financial generosity. You can give to the work of The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), where 100% of everything that is given to UMCOR goes directly to the communities most affected by disasters. This is one of the most effective first responses we can offer because it is flexible in how it can be used and can have the highest amount of impact in the communities who are most affected. Give directly to these efforts online by using this link: https://advance.umcmission.org/p-620-umcor-us-disaster-response-and-recovery.aspx . You can also give through your local church and designate your gift for UMCOR US Disaster Response Advance # 901670.
The Connectional Ministries Office and the Conference Disaster Response Coordinator are in active communication with other Annual Conferences throughout The United Methodist connection to offer our hands and resources where they are most needed. We will be in touch in the coming hours and days as our neighbors share how we can be of greatest assistance.
Thank you for the many ways you are being the church, especially in this season.
Blessings,
Rev. Amanda Miller Garber, Director, Missional and Community Engagement
Rev. JoAnn Batteiger, Assistant Director, Missional and Community Engagement
Rev. Dr. Jonathan Page, DCM for Innovation & Creativity