Dear Friends,
I hope that you have experienced minimal effects from Hurricane Milton. Even as we have been spared from a direct impact of the storm, we know that many of our loved ones and friends across Florida have a long recovery ahead of them. Add this to the cleanup efforts already begun because of Hurricane Helene, and the need is overwhelming. We worship God who never leaves us nor forsakes us and is by our side in the storm. As those who follow Christ’s way of love, we can be the hands and feet of Christ in the coming weeks by doing a few things:
Pray- Pray for those who have lost everything, for those living with the trauma of the storms, for those who are still lost, for the first responders and helpers, for the volunteers who will be assembling in the weeks to come.
Donate - To the relief efforts of the Florida Conference or to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)- Both funds are supporting local efforts to accomplish immediate relief and long-term recovery while providing for volunteers to offer compassionate ministries in the aftermath of disasters.
Flood Buckets- Join us this Sunday after the 9:30AM service in the Lamb Early Education hallway to assemble flood buckets. We will be assembling one hundred buckets to take to one of the hurricane-affected areas of Florida.
Stay tuned for ways to volunteer- We are waiting for more directions from the Florida Conference on disaster response. Once communities can welcome volunteer teams, we will be in the works to send a team where they are needed.
And for now, will you pray with me these words from Kate Bowler?
A Blessing for When Disaster Strikes
Oh God, the suffering I see is unbearable.
God, come quickly. Bring swift relief and sweet comfort.
God have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Spirit have mercy.
The world is not lost, but sometimes it seems as though.
with trees and homes uprooted— and people’s lives alongside them.
Blessed are we who cry out, how long, oh God?
Blessed are we who hope even when we can’t look anymore.
Blessed are those who lost everything.
Blessed are the helpers, the weather people, the aid workers.
Blessed are the leaders who are swift to act.
Blessed are the rescue workers, the shelterers, the neighbors.
You know the need.
You are beginning and ending.
You are still here.
Be still. And know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10 )
God have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Spirit have mercy.
Let your body sink into this truth: I am with you always, to the end of the age.
(Matthew 28:20)
With Grace and Love,
Pastor Rachel
コメント