Working Together in Faith, Trust, and Love
We Strive to Foster Faithful Witnesses of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that will Shape a Strong UCC Identity with Effective Staffing that Equips and Empowers Local Churches, Clergy and Lay for Transformative Ministry and Growth.
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Praying "without ceasing" for all affected by Hurricane Helene
- Praying "without ceasing" for all affected by Hurricane Helene
The Aftermath of Hurricane Helene ...
“United We Stand”
Part 2 of Southern Conference visit with UCC General Minister and President
By Rev. Belinda Sledge
The Southern Conference United Church of Christ has been said to be the most diverse Conference in the United Church of Christ when it comes to theology. But, one thing we can agree on is uniting in times of need, particularly during times where our areas have been affected by natural disasters. We unified around Hurricane Matthew, carrying goods to the affected areas and standing together for those affected by Hurricane Helene has been no different.
On September 26, 2024, Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane unleashing devastation across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee. Unfortunately, it also hit Western North Carolina which includes Southern Conference churches and clergy in the Asheville area and our Johns River Valley Camp.
When the world knew Helene was coming, the Southern Conference Disaster Coordinator, Rev. Eddie Weathers and our Spiritual Care Coordinator, Rev. Rob Edwards were put into action under the direction of Rev. Edward Davis (D.Min.), Southern Conference Minister. And, the Southern Conference has not stopped caring for those affected in our Southern Conference area, from phone calls, to visits, to obtaining financial assistance from our affiliated ministries sent to the National Setting, to aid in assisting those in need, to assistance being sent directly to clergy affected by the UCC Pension Boards. The UCC Insurance Board has been standing in the gap as well to assist with getting the claims process started as quickly as possible.
Disaster response requires long term perspective
by C. L. "Curly" Stumb
(editor's note: We shall feature additional photos and stories -- in future weeks -- highlighting Wednesday's disaster response meetings at Johns River Valley Camp and Asheville.)
National UCC staff found themselves called upon to “walk the plank,” when they arrived in hurricane ravaged Western North Carolina. Their entry experience, however, received outstretched hands of hospitality and spotting procedures associated with common practice in the camp world of outdoor ministry.
Western N.C. church properties were largely spared of damage, except for fallen trees. A camp of the Southern Conference however — Johns River Valley Camp in western North Carolina — may have alone amassed an almost incomprehensible collective toll of damages for the entire Conference experience. Its bridge, giving entrance to the site, surfaced from the flooding waters in ruins.
A makeshift plank, framed between two of the bridge’s curled i-beams, offered the only river crossing, and was navigated by all, including Rev. Karen Georgia-Thompson (D.Min.) [General Minister and President of the UCC], Katie Howell [Minister for Disaster Response and Recovery - UCC Global H.O.P.E.], and Andrew Long-Higgins [team leader for Global H.O.P.E.]. In this outdoor ministry setting, and later in Asheville, the assembled participants exchanged stories, shared resources and outlined a path to navigate the disaster response for the long haul. “There is a deep need, in disaster response,” said Georgia-Thompson, “to be pastoral.”
An assembled body of Western N.C. persons also met at First Congregational UCC (Asheville), representing churches in Asheville, Hendersonville, Tryon, Hickory and Boone. They shared stories and voiced frustrations about responses, limitations of quick fixes, mis-matched communications about needs, and buckets that won’t handle Helene’s deposits of mud. “Fix it now,” some would cry. “Patience.” “Find a way to grieve together.” “Find a way to instill hope in the community,” said UCC’s General Minister and President in her summary comments.
Circle of Love Binds Grieving Campers
by C. L. "Curly" Stumb
photo by Henry Lister
Turbulent winds and flooding waters from Hurricane Helene hurled ruins on an outdoor ministry setting, Johns River Valley Camp. The program’s alum of former campers and staff find themselves grieving and in shock. On Saturday, October 19, over 80 persons gathered on the site for a workday, with chain saws, shovels and work gloves.
Twisted steel I-beams remained as the only visible remnants of the facility’s bridge entrance. Several Mainsite and Outpost cabins were destroyed by fallen trees, and others damaged by a once in a century storm that is being compared to the flood of 1916.
The community of volunteers showed up to offer a helping hand and express support for re-building the site. The work force included old timers like JoAnne Flick and Lee Jessup; former summer staff, among them Catherine Schiemann, Eric Stumb, Jeni Walden Lawson and Emily Kepley Moss; plus 2024 summer campers like Charlie Stumb. They had to see for themselves the havoc Hurricane Helene imposed on "their" camp, nestled in Pisgah National Forest by a river’s edge.
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