Dear friends in Christ,
Grace and peace to you as Hurricane Florence advances, threatening with wind and with water falling from above and rising in rivers and streams.
Much is yet to unfold. However, we know that needs will be great. Therefore, please receive these requests with glad and generous hearts.
1 – Please continue to pray for our neighbors and friends in the areas of devastation in our conference.
2 – Please plan to be a part of a conference-wide day of response on Wednesday, September 19. The clergy gathering scheduled for Wednesday, September 19, will be changed to a day of living the planned theme for the day, “Let Us Be Neighbors”! More information will be sent by Monday about this conference-wide effort to bring comfort and help to those impacted by the storm. For now, please plan to participate on Wednesday.
3 – Please invite offerings for Hurricane Response as you gather for worship. Gifts may be made online or by check to Conference Treasurer marked “NC Storm Response” in the memo line.
4 – Please lead your churches in creating Hygiene Kits and Cleaning Kits. These items will need to be kept in the churches until they are soon directed to a place in the impacted areas.
5 – Please help the Disaster Response leaders have accurate information by sharing accurate information through the Disaster Response Call Center (888-440-9167 or disasterresponse@nccumc.org) and staying in close communication with your district leadership.
For the latest information from the conference, visit our Hurricane Florence updates page or follow us on social media.
You are remarkable leaders. As God’s people, we are encouraged, and we encourage one another. We are not afraid. God is with us. Psalm 46 helps us remember who God is and who we are as God’s people:
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult.There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God.
God is in our midst: we shall not be moved.
God will help when the morning dawns.
Be still and know that I am God!
I am exalted among the nations,
I am exalted in the earth.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
God is our refuge!
With gratitude to God for the life we share in Christ,
Bishop Hope Morgan Ward