In the aftermath of Hurricane Isaias, Bishop Ward encourages us to step forward to help our neighbors clean up, clean out, and rebuild.
Grace and peace in the name of Jesus Christ.
Hurricane Isaias has approached and passed through North Carolina. We continue to pray for all impacted on the eastern coast of the United States and we continue to assess the damage of wind and rising water.
Psalm 27 is a great strong word for us in this time. “The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid? I believe I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord, be strong, be of good courage. Wait for the Lord.”
As the hurricane approached and the projections were shown on TV screens around the world, texts and emails began to come. They came from our United Methodist friends in many places, offering prayers, help and support in the recovery after the storm. We United Methodists are connected through the United Methodist Committee on Relief and indeed, we are UMCOR. The United Methodist Committee on Relief are people like you and me, people who volunteer to go in after water and wind have damaged homes and communities. We go in to clean up, to clean out, and to rebuild.
We now have five disaster recovery centers in our annual conference and our staff working through those centers will help us respond in wise and careful ways. Our green shirts are famous across eastern North Carolina and it is time to get them out once again. Let us get the green shirts out and put them on go forth to clean up and clean out and rebuild in the places where the storm has shattered lives, destroyed property, and created great devastation.
May Christ be with you as you are generous with your resources, your prayers, your time and your efforts.