Waves break over the railing of a raised deck as Hurricane Irene storm surge flows inland, flooding, damaging, or destroying thousands of NC homes.
North Carolina United Methodists, more than most, understand the pain and suffering that our friends to the north experienced from Hurricane Sandy. In response, United Methodists across the NC Conference have donated tens of thousands of dollars and have shipped thousands of cleaning buckets. Additionally, as the response phase moves into long-term recovery, we are certain that many will feel the call of God to go and stand with our friends in New York, New Jersey, Delaware and other devastated areas.
As we pray and respond to the disaster north of us, we also remember that here in North Carolina, many of our next-door neighbors continue to suffer the affects of Hurricane Irene. Several hundred volunteer work teams, United Methodists and many other denominations, have assisted in our recovery efforts and we have completed repairs on over 200 homes. For this we give God deep thanks, and we NEED several hundred more work teams and monetary donations to continue the work on over 350 more homes or build new homes, with families who desperately need our help.
Home with internal walls washed away from Irene storm surge.
So, as we pray for and respond to the needs of our neighbors north of us, let us also join with our neighbors here in North Carolina who continue to live inside the disaster that is Hurricane Irene. As Jesus tells us, when we minister to those who are in such deep need, it is Jesus himself to whom we minister … and Jesus will in turn, minister to us.
To help, please contact Ann Huffman at the NC Disaster Call Center – 888-440-9167 or: disasterresponse@nccumc.org to schedule a work team for a day, a week or longer.
We continue to need additional funds for the recovery work. Please also consider reaching out financially by giving to NC Storms Emergency Response – NC Advance #S-00176. 100% of every gift to this Advance will go to storm response. You can give online at: Hurricane Irene Giving
You can also send funds to: Conference Treasurer – Raleigh Area
PO Box 890202, Charlotte, NC 28289-0202. Please be sure to note Advance #S-00176.
Be the hands and feet and heart and voice of Jesus, Be the light! Help our neighbors return home.