Announcements

North Carolinians have experienced three devastating hurricanes in the past three years. It seems just as the long term recovery began for one storm, another storm would come and wreak more havoc. Disaster Ministries continues to receive calls for assistance from Hurricanes Matthew and Florence, even as we begin the process of recovering from Dorian. 

Volunteers from across the United States and Canada have responded to the call for help following Hurricane Florence. A youth from Maryland, volunteering in our Lumberton Disaster Recovery Center, visited a friend at Liberty Baptist Church in Spring Lake, NC and shared the needs in neighboring communities. Liberty Baptist’s congregation and Student Pastor, Drew Wallingford, were shocked to hear that people in their own backyard were still in need of assistance. 

While members in the congregation who were affected by the storm were able to receive help through the community, Liberty Baptist Church knew they had to do something to support survivors who were still in need of assistance. During Vacation Bible School this summer, over 400 children and adults participated in competitions to raise money for hurricane relief. Liberty Baptist Church collected fans and raised over $1,000 that they donated to the Fayetteville Disaster Recovery Center. 

Thank you Liberty Baptist Church for supporting efforts to help rebuild homes, communities, and lives after a natural disaster! Call 888-440-9167 or email disaster@nccumc.org to learn how you can help others in need.

Windsor UMC in Windsor, North Carolina gathered following Hurricane Dorian to assemble cleaning kits for those affected by the storm. Below is Pastor Joan Fischer’s account of the church’s involvement. 

“On Sunday morning, September 8, the members of Windsor UMC gathered for worship as is their custom. This worship time was different. This morning they gathered with no lights, no bulletins, no candles lit, and no music… because so many could not gather as is their custom. 

“Sanctuary” was sung a capella, prayers were lifted for survivors, for communities, for first responders, and for all those assessing the damage and making plans for relief and recovery.

An offering was received. Scripture was read from James 2 and then the members were invited into the fellowship hall to put actions with their prayers inspecting cleaning kits. 

All who could moved to the fellowship hall. Not long after that, they were joined by members of Holy Spirit Catholic Church with whom Windsor shares their facility. There was excitement, joy, laughter, and sweat. 

In little over an hour, 144 buckets had been inspected. Perhaps more importantly, relationships were started, hearts and hands were united in a common cause — to be the body of Christ in the world.

To God be the glory.”

Selah Community Garden is a blessing that Center United Methodist Church can offer to their neighbors.

Over the past three years, North Carolina has been impacted by three devastating hurricanes. Many homes and lives were uprooted due to wind and flood damage. With the help of our partners and volunteers, Disaster Ministries has been able to help over 600 people return home.

Watch this anniversary video and see the impact Disaster Ministries is making in the affected areas. Play it in your church services, and share it with your friends. Download the video from our Vimeo page.

Together, we can help rebuild homes, communities, and lives.