The Ocracoke Observer and Island Free Press posted an article featuring Ocracoke UMC’s pastor, Susie Fitch-Slater, following Hurricane Dorian.
Ocracoke UMC in the News
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Disaster Ministries Receives Christmas Donation
We are grateful for the generous donation of $3,500 to Disaster Ministries from Sam Carlisle, an attorney in Pinehurst. Mr. Carlisle made the donation to help ongoing work in Columbus County. In a letter accompanying the donation, Mr. Carlisle said, “For the thirteenth consecutive year, I’m contributing to a charitable cause in a different county. In the past, I’ve contributed to Edgecombe, Nash, Wilson, Cumberland, Wake, Moore, Pitt, Lenoir, Beaufort, Bertie, Pasquotank and Wayne Counties. This year’s contribution will go to Columbus County, another eastern county that has suffered major flooding twice in recent years.”
The donation was shared with the Disaster Ministries staff by an attorney from Mr. Carlisle’s firm. Pictured left to right: Thomas Hunsinger, Whiteville DRC Case Manager; Tim Kinlaw, Whiteville DRC Construction Manager; Attorney Carlton Williamson, donating on behalf of Attorney Sam Carlisle; Vickie Sasser, Whiteville DRC Site Manager; Al Miller, Director of NC Conference Disaster Ministries; Todd Padget, Whiteville DRC Case Manager; and Brian King, Whiteville DRC Construction Manager.
An Encouragement for January
Communications theorists suggest that … words create worlds.
This idea is formally known as the Constructionist Principle. It suggests that reality, as we know it, is a subjective vs. objective state. And that reality, as we know it, is socially created through language and conversations.
No wonder Paul was so insistent in his words to the church when he said…
Read: Philippians 4:8
Whatever is true,
whatever is honorable,
whatever is just,
whatever is pure,
whatever is pleasing,
whatever is commendable,
if there is any excellence and
if there is anything worthy of praise,
think (speak) about these things.
Reflect: So words really, really matter. In fact they are a matter of life and death, hopes and fears, dreams and failures. What does your remembering 2019 sound like? What about your dreams for 2020? What world are you creating with your words, both internal and external?
Take Action: Find a way to be intentional about your words as you reflect on the past and dream for the future. As a spiritual practice, try keeping a “Philippians 4:8” journal, or find another woman to covenant with to exchange “Philippians 4:8” messages over the coming month. Pay attention to how your intentional use of words re-frames your own perceptions and relationships.
Here’s hoping for a Philippians 4:8 world in 2020!
In partnership,
Center for Leadership Excellence and the Commission on the Status and Role of Women
We are grateful to the Rev. Kris Williams for writing this month’s issue of Encouragements. If you are interested in contributing to a future issue of Encouragements, please email josey.snyder@nccumc.org.
Weaverland Disaster Service Volunteers in Newport
Many homes, lives, and communities have been uprooted in North Carolina over the past three years due to natural disasters. Memories and treasured possessions lined the streets of coastal communities. Homes that once were a safe haven became unrecognizable.
Many homeowners were left with empty homes due to Hurricanes Dorian, Florence, and Matthew. Communities began to come together in response to the natural disasters. The North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church Disaster Ministries initiated response teams and established long term recovery centers to help those in need.
Disaster Ministries has established a strong working relationship with volunteer teams, who serve as “hands and feet” during a time of need. Churches, organizations, and individuals from across the nation and Canada have volunteered to help North Carolinians repair and rebuild their homes and lives. Several teams volunteer multiple times throughout the year for extended periods of time. The Weaverland Disaster Service is one of our long term volunteer groups.
The Weaverland Disaster Service is a Mennonite volunteer group that helps repair and rebuild homes affected by natural disasters. Greg Ehrler, Newport Disaster Recovery Site Manager, connected with the Weaverland Disaster Service leader and developed a long term volunteer partnership. The Weaverland volunteers began working in November and will continue to work in Newport until April 2020.
A new team of volunteers arrives each week to assist with repairs and rebuilds. One of the teams traveled nine hours from Pennsylvania in December. For some of the volunteers, this was their first disaster relief mission trip. Other volunteers had previously volunteered in North Carolina and other states.
The team of 20 volunteers were assigned to two homes that were currently under construction. One team worked on sanding, painting, repairing ceiling tiles, and installing new floors. Another team installed new molding and baseboards in a room that was completely flooded after Hurricane Florence. Two volunteers on the team stay behind at the center to prepare meals for the entire team. The volunteers enjoy preparing dinner for the construction teams, who return hungry after a day of work.
The Newport Disaster Recovery Center appreciates the Weaverland Disaster Service volunteers. The team allows the center to have a strong volunteer base during the winter months. Disaster Ministries and the homeowners value Weaverland Disaster Service’s hard work and willingness to serve.
Thank you to all of the volunteers who have selflessly donated their time to help others in need. We are so grateful for each and every person who has helped restore hope to disaster survivors.
House Blessing in Newport
Hurricane Florence caused severe flooding and wind damage across North Carolina. The Wallace family was one of many whose home was flooded due to Hurricane Florence.
A family member found the home under 2 feet of water. The roof and ceiling were also damaged due to high winds. Once the flooding subsided, the damaged materials were removed from the home.
Volunteer teams began to install new floor joists and insulation to repair the roof. Other local organizations contributed appliances, materials, and furniture. Some of the organizations include: Carteret Warriors for Recovery, Carteret Long Term Recovery Alliance, Endeavors, One Harbor Church, Reach Global Crisis Response, Ann Street UMC, and the American Red Cross. With the help of the Newport Disaster Ministries Center, volunteers, and partners, the Wallace family was able to return home for Christmas.
Earlier this month, family, friends, volunteers, and the Disaster Ministries team gathered together to bless the Wallace family’s new home. The celebration began with song, as family and friends sang “This is the Day the Lord has Made”. The Disaster Ministries team thanked all of the volunteers and partnering organizations who helped the Wallace family return home.
The Newport Disaster Ministries team then presented the Wallace family with the keys to their newly repaired home. The homeowners also received a quilt and prayer shawl crafted by two churches. The celebration closed with prayer and scripture reading from 2 Corinthians.
The Wallace family is so grateful for all of the volunteers who helped their family return home. Thank you to all of the partners and volunteers who have donated their time and gifts to those in need.
Join Disaster Ministries to help restore hope for the hundreds of disaster survivors still waiting for assistance. Call 888-440-9167 or email disaster@nccumc.org to learn how you can help others in need.
An Encouragement for December
A recent email from the Center for Courage and Renewal, led by Parker Palmer, asked the question, “What song is in your heart today?”
That question made me pause. As we move through Advent toward Christmas, our fingers touch pages of hymnals with worn corners, on them live songs remarkable not only for celebrating the birth of Christ, but also for the memories and feelings they evoke. Singing a Christmas hymn may nudge our memories to Christmases celebrated with grandparents. The next hymn might prompt thoughts of a relative or relationship lost. Perhaps in this season more than any other, music impacts us unexpectedly…and the juxtaposition of joy and sadness can be a spiritually disorienting space.
Read (or sing!): “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear”
It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth,
To touch their harps of gold:
“Peace on the earth, goodwill to all,
From heaven’s all gracious King!”
The world in solemn stillness lay,
To hear the angels sing.
Still through the cloven skies they come
With peaceful wings unfurled,
And still their heavenly music floats
O’er all the weary world;
Above its sad and lowly plains,
They bend on hovering wing,
And ever o’er its Babel sounds
The blessed angels sing.
And ye, beneath life’s crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow,
Look now! for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing.
O rest beside the weary road,
And hear the angels sing!
For lo! the days are hastening on,
By prophet seen of old,
When with the ever-circling years
Shall come the time foretold
When peace shall over all the earth
Its ancient splendors fling,
And the whole world send back the song
Which now the angels sing.
Reflect: What songs of Christ’s birth fill your heart with compassion and joy today? What is God whispering to you through lyrics and music? Where does your spirit feel the push and pull of the season? And where do you see the peace of Christ that is beyond comprehension?
Take Action: Reach out to a woman who struggles during this season. Text her, email her, or send her a note to let her know that, although “life’s crushing load” might be a reality for her, you hold her heart in tender friendship and love.
In partnership,
Center for Leadership Excellence and the Commission on the Status and Role of Women
We are grateful to Leah Wiebe-Smith for writing this month’s issue of Encouragements. If you are interested in contributing to a future issue of Encouragements, please email josey.snyder@nccumc.org.