Stories

An Encouragement for October

Stories Published on
October 10, 2019

Almost from the beginning of Methodism, women have found opportunities to lead and to exhort and eventually to preach. Although he did not initially endorse their preaching, John Wesley believed spreading the gospel often required exceptional practices, and he honored the gifts, call, and “holy boldness” of women, including Mary Bosanquet Fletcher, at least partly because of his mother Susanna’s example.

Read: In her journal, Mary wrote:

“… I am conscious how ridiculous I must appear in the eyes of many for so doing. Therefore, if some persons consider me an impudent woman, and represent me as such, I cannot blame them… Besides, I do nothing but what Mr. Wesley approves; and as to reproach thrown by some on me, what have I to do with it, but quietly go forward saying, I will be still more vile, if my Lord requires it.”

She also wrote:

“If I have a word to speak from [God], he will make my way. If not, the door will be shut. I am only to shew the meekness of wisdom, and leave all to God.“

Reflect: When have you been criticized for answering the call to ministry? How has God empowered you to “be still more vile” and to exercise “holy boldness?” Are you able to “leave all to God?”

Take Action: If you have not done so, examine the written record left by some of these “impudent” Methodist women. Consider keeping a journal to record your own experience as a woman in ministry. Encourage the girls and women where you serve by pointing towards these women whose bold witness are part of our Methodist DNA and share the stories of these extraordinary women of God.

In partnership,
Center for Leadership Excellence and the Commission on the Status and Role of Women

We are grateful to the Rev. Donna Fowler-Marchant 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.

Ocracoke: One Day

Stories Published on
October 7, 2019

The three-hour car ride from Garner to Swan Quarter was only the beginning of our journey. Once there, we drove onto the ferry and settled in for the two hour and forty-minute ride across the Pamlico Sound to Ocracoke. Other than aircraft, traveling the Sound is the only way to get to the island of Ocracoke. That means that whatever relief coming to the island has to travel the same way.

Our ferry to Ocracoke: the MV Swan Quarter. Photos: Derek Leek

Since the storm came through, private boats have been helping to bring supplies and help get people back to the island but for most folks, the ferry is the only option. We shared the ferry, the MV Swan Quarter, with volunteers traveling to help, tractor-trailers carrying supplies, and island residents making their way back from the mainland.

We spoke with Captain David Rose of the MV Swan Quarter. Video: Chris Daniel and Derek Leek

In the aftermath of disaster, once it is deemed safe to enter areas damaged by storms, traveling to places in need is usually straightforward. But when the area in question lies across a large body of water, and a ferry is required to make the trip, and that ferry only travels at certain times of the day, it definitely makes a difference in how quickly volunteers can respond. It also impacts how those volunteers can get the things they need in order to begin the process of recovery and rebuilding. It’s not as simple as taking a quick trip to Lowe’s for supplies, or to Walmart for groceries. When you come to work, you bring everything you need with you.

When you arrive, the familiar salt breeze is cut through with another scent: the smell of a flood. Water that has come in, sat, and stayed too long, leaving behind wet, and decay, and damage. It is a smell that is all too familiar in coastal cities and towns throughout our state, and Ocracoke is certainly no stranger to it.

Scenes like this are repeated all over the island. Photos by Cullen Whitley (bottom tree photo) and Amanda Packer

Visible reminders of the storm are everywhere. Dorian’s water line is noticeable all over the island on homes and other structures, a reminder of how high and how fast the water came in. Even more shocking is how much higher the water was compared to other storms like Matthew.

And there is no way to miss the piles of debris left behind when the water receded. Furniture, books, and toys. Refrigerators, stoves, washers, and dryers. Fallen trees and damaged vehicles, victims of the power of wind and water.

More damage. In the bottom picture, the marker at the top of the steps is for Dorian’s waterline; the next marker down is for Matthew, almost two feet lower. Photos by Allan Smith from Lowe’s Home Improvement (top center and right), Amanda Packer (top left), and Derek Leek (bottom)

All of this – the time and distance required to reach the island, the logistics of getting supplies to the island, the debris that must be moved off the island in order to begin rebuilding – only serve to compound the challenges of recovering from Dorian. Conservative estimates place the level of damage across the island at 80%. Electric meters have been pulled from countless homes and businesses. Grocery stores, restaurants and places to stay are closed while owners make repairs, further impacting the ability of volunteers to come and work at full capacity.

Reverend Ivey Belch, from the Lifesaving Church, shared with us the need for volunteers.
Video: Chris Daniel and Amanda Packer

But there are signs of hope. An operations center was established at the fire station shortly after Dorian came through. As supplies began to arrive from the mainland, they were quickly organized and prepared for distribution.

The operations center (set up and run by volunteers) is up and running, thanks to Rev. Belch and others. Video: Chris Daniel

Volunteer relief organizations, like Disaster Ministries in partnership with UMCOR, Baptists on Mission, Samaritan’s Purse, and Christian Ministry, have divided the island into quadrants so that resources and volunteers can be best utilized and maximized. And everywhere you go, people are working, helping one another, as the long process of getting back to normal begins.

One of the first priorities for volunteer work teams is to get houses and debris clear so that rebuilding can begin. Video: Chris Daniel

Ocracoke UMC, one of the two churches on the island, suffered damage to several areas of its building. When we visit, flooring has been pulled up, the church’s organ and piano sit in the middle of office chairs and other furniture, and mixed in the debris pile out front are water-soaked hymnals and toys from the nursery.

Some of the damage from Ocracoke UMC, including the church’s hymnals and Bibles, and the chancel area. Photos: Rev. Cliff Harvell (left), Amanda Packer (center and right)

Inside the sanctuary, all the pews are pushed to one side, and the chancel area is stripped of furniture. If you didn’t see the outside and didn’t know that a hurricane had come through, you might think that the sanctuary was merely in the midst of renovations. But all of this work is being done in order to preserve the historic church and prevent damage down the road. Volunteers in masks and other protective gear work to remove water-damaged flooring and wallboards, preparing the way for other teams who will come to rebuild and make the sanctuary available for worshippers to gather.

We spoke with Gary Smith, Trustees chairperson at Ocracoke UMC, who shared with us what he found when he went to the church after Dorian came through. Video: Chris Daniel. Photos: Gary Smith, Jay Locklear, Ocracoke Current

Around the corner, at the parsonage, the scene is repeated. A large pile of debris from the house is occupying much of the front yard. Inside, it is obvious where the water has been and left its mark on the house. Floors and walls have already been stripped down to expose the structural elements underneath, and work has already begun to repair the damage.

Work has already begun on the parsonage, which had four feet of water inside in the midst of the storm. Photos: Derek Leek

The Rev. Susie Fitch-Slater, pastor at Ocracoke UMC, and her husband were in the parsonage when Dorian roared through. As the water invaded the house (eventually reaching four feet), they were forced to retreat to the attic. There they waited, either for the water to recede, or to make a call to be rescued.

The attic space where Rev. Fitch-Slater and her husband waited for the waters to recede.
Photo: Derek Leek

As the storm passed, the water did recede, but not before leaving its mark, literally and figuratively, on not just the parsonage and the church, but the entire community. Dorian’s high-water mark, upwards of 50 inches in most places, is evident all throughout the island. The debris left behind, now mingled with the early efforts of mucking out homes and businesses, is a fixture on every street. Everywhere you go, you are reminded of the strength of wind and water.

Much has been done, but so much remains to be done, as residents clean up and attempt to rebuild. Photos: Allan Smith (bottom right), Amanda Packer (top center and right, bottom left), and Jay Locklear (top left)

What happens next? Assessments are being done to determine what can be rebuilt. Basic services are being restored as debris is cleared. School will resume soon in various locations on the island as the school building is repaired. And a community is coming together in ways that are beautiful and generous.

Generosity is on full display all over the island, with residents and volunteers from all over coming together. Video: Chris Daniel. Photos: Rev. Cliff Harvell, Cullen Whitley, and Derek Leek

Life is getting back to a version of normal, different than before, as the island moves toward recovery. North Carolina Conference Disaster Ministries, along with partners and volunteers, is working to bring hope and healing to this community. We encourage you to continue to support our efforts by giving a financial donation, or by volunteering your time as part of a team.

It will take residents and volunteers working together to rebuild and recover from this latest storm. Photos: The Ocracoke Current (left), Amanda Packer (right)

Hurricane Florence Relief and Recovery Fund of Cumberland Community Foundation, Inc.

Stories Published on
September 26, 2019

Disaster Ministries has been awarded three grants totaling over $90,000 from the Hurricane Florence Relief and Recovery Fund of Cumberland Community Foundation, Inc.

One grant of $40,000 went towards purchasing materials for home repairs. Allene Mullen is one of the homeowners in Cumberland County that has been able to return home due to the generosity of the Hurricane Florence Relief and Recovery Fund of Cumberland Community Foundation, Inc. Mullen’s home was flooded by Florence, causing much damage to her home.

We were able to repair the damages to Mullen’s home with the help of volunteer teams and the Hurricane Florence Relief and Recovery Fund of Cumberland Community Foundation, Inc. Mullen received a new roof, heating and air unit, flooring, windows, doors, duct work, and kitchen appliances. The Fayetteville Disaster Recovery Center was also able to make the bathroom more accessible for the homeowner.

In addition to the grant for home repairs, Disaster Ministries received a grant to help fund staff in the Fayetteville Disaster Recovery Center. The Hurricane Florence Relief and Recovery Fund of Cumberland Community Foundation, Inc. has also provided a grant of $5,000 to assist with waste management and site safety management in the Fayetteville Disaster Recovery Center.

Thank you to the Hurricane Florence Relief and Recovery Fund of Cumberland Community Foundation, Inc. and the Hurricane Matthew Relief and Recovery Fund of Cumberland Community Foundation, Inc. for supporting Disaster Ministries’ recovery projects in Cumberland County.

An Encouragement for September

Stories Published on
September 10, 2019

The Center for Leadership Excellence and the Commission on the Status and Role of Women in the NC Conference have teamed up to send monthly emails of encouragement to women in ministry. Here is the email sent in September. If you would like to be added to the list to receive these emails, sign up below.

In Tara Mohr’s book, Playing Big: Practical Wisdom for Women Who Want to Speak Up, Create, and Lead, she quotes Rabbi Alan Lew’s understanding of fear.

In the Hebrew, two different words used for fear include pachad and yirah. Pachad is the “overreactive, irrational fear that stems from worries about what could happen, about the worst-case scenarios we imagine” (p. 65). Yirah has three different, but related meanings: to be overcome in a larger space than we are used to, to come into a sensation where we have more energy than normal, and to feel the presence of the divine (p. 66).

When we give in to pachad fear, we are held back from being the fullest witness of ourselves in Christ. Yet the yirah kind of fear and awe emboldens us to hear Christ speak to this wondrous and limitless understanding of how God might use us.

Read Isaiah 55:8-9

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Reflect: We long for our ways to be focused on God’s ways. We long for our lives to show the power of what it’s like to live as disciples amazed and in awe of God. At times, our thoughts have the power to hold back who we truly are out of fearfulness. Yet holy fear can lead us to be surprised and delighted by the power of the Holy Spirit.

We long for our ways to be focused on God’s ways. We long for our lives to show the power of what it’s like to live as disciples amazed and in awe of God. At times, our thoughts have the power to hold back who we truly are out of fearfulness. Yet holy fear can lead us to be surprised and delighted by the power of the Holy Spirit.

How can we shift from the pachad kind of fear to living into the beauty and power of the yirah fear? How can we quiet the fear of pachad that misleads us and take risks with the yirah fear to guide us?

What would it look to give your fears a holy revival to see what God might do through your willingness to trust in an even greater way, even if you don’t have all the answers?

Take Action: Name those areas in ministry and life where you long to live into a bolder witness for Christ. Spend time in prayer naming your fears and try to reframe those fears to glorify God by a yirah kind of fear instead.

In partnership,
Center for Leadership Excellence and the Commission on the Status and Role of Women

We are grateful to the Rev. Laura Dunlap, Burlington Circuit, 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.

If you are not receiving the monthly Encouragements emails and would like to, sign up for the mailing list here.

An Encouragement for August

Stories Published on
August 8, 2019

The Center for Leadership Excellence and the Commission on the Status and Role of Women in the NC Conference have teamed up to send monthly emails of encouragement to women in ministry. Here is the email sent in August. If you would like to be added to the list to receive these emails, sign up below.

Complaining isn’t lady-like. As women, we are taught to stay positive, to find the silver lining, and, when things simply aren’t right, to grin and bear it.

Yet scripture gives us a very different way to think about complaining. In scripture, complaint is holy. Our psalms are filled with it, and some of the holiest figures in the Bible (e.g. Job, Jeremiah, even Jesus) offer scathing complaints to God over their circumstances.

Read Psalm 88: 8-9

You have made my friends distant.
You have made me disgusting to them.
I can’t escape. I’m trapped.
My eyes are tired of looking at my suffering.
I’ve been calling out to you every day, LORD –
I’ve had my hands outstretched to you.

Reflect: Even though scripture always pulls us from lament toward praise, it never rushes or forces that final step. In Psalm 88, the psalmist never turns to praise, yet this psalm, too, is held up as a model of honest, authentic, and even holy prayer before God. How do you pray when praise is far from your tongue? Have you ever thought of your complaint as holy? Or even as desired by God?

Take Action: In biblical times, women were employed as “wailers” to call the community to lament (Jeremiah 9:17-18). Far from calling complaint “unladylike,” women were seen as especially gifted in leading the community toward this authentic expression before God.

Find a way to honor the holiness of lament this week. Give yourself permission to take your own complaints to God, without apology, and find a way to reach out and encourage those women in your community who are especially gifted in naming hurt and pain in a way that calls forth lament and action.

Lament is holy work. It’s God’s work. Thanks be to God.

In partnership,
Center for Leadership Excellence and the Commission on the Status and Role of Women

If you are not receiving the monthly Encouragements emails and would like to, sign up for the mailing list here.

An Encouragement for July

Stories Published on
July 15, 2019

The Center for Leadership Excellence and the Commission on the Status and Role of Women in the NC Conference have teamed up to send monthly emails of encouragement to women in ministry. Here is the email sent in July. If you would like to be added to the list to receive these emails, sign up below.

By now, you’ve most likely seen the video shared in the COSROW report at Annual Conference. For many clergywomen, these comments are a sample of comments heard every day in the contexts where we serve. Professionally, to comfort others when we are raw ourselves is hard work. To counter such voices, hearing the loving voice of God is essential.

Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ be blessed! He is the compassionate Father and God of all comfort. He’s the one who comforts us in all our trouble so that we can comfort other people who are in every kind of trouble. We offer the same comfort that we ourselves received from God.

Reflect: How do we seek to be comforted by God? How do we go deeper in our spiritual lives by means of prayer, fasting, scripture, and song to be comforted by God so that we might comfort others?

Take Action: In July, seek to be a holy friend offering comfort to a clergy sister who may not hear encouragement where she serves. Pray for the mighty voice of God to comfort her or you in the midst of obstacles and challenges faced because of gender. Lead by sharing ways that God gives you comfort so that collectively we might experience God’s goodness even in times of challenge.

In partnership,
Center for Leadership Excellence and the Commission on the Status and Role of Women

If you are not receiving the monthly Encouragements emails and would like to, sign up for the mailing list here.

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