From Meg & Jarrett:
It was not long ago that this church stood in the waters of Flat Creek, which flows into the Swannanoa River, winding through Buncombe County. We stood there, ankle deep, to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Water reminds us of the promise that we belong to God, in life and in death.
When that same water rages, floods and destroys, our hearts break. This natural disaster hits close to home. We love Montreat and many of us have dear ones who call WNC home.
All of us want to help.
Your staff has been discerning how to balance the help we want to offer with the help that is wanted on the ground right now. The last thing we want to do is place additional burdens on an already taxed relief effort. The consistent word from our connections is to not come yet, but to send financial support and to stand at the ready; thus we commend the following to you as a way to respond.
We trust UPC will do so, trusting the promise that still holds: we belong. We belong to God and to one another. Let’s act like it.
Opportunities to Respond:
Give: The Presbyterian Church is connectional. UPC has trusted relationships in the area that need support now and in the long haul. Gifts to the UPC “WNC Disaster Relief” fund will be pooled and then disbursed to vetted organizations on the ground offering relief. You can give online or via check (be sure to designate your gift to the “WNC Disaster Relief” fund).
Stand by to go: Several of our members have been in conversation about organizing a trip to offer practical, physical help. The timing of that trip may be weeks or months from now, depending on how long it takes for basic infrastructure to be repaired. If you are interested in participating in a future trip, fill out this Google form and we will be in touch once plans start to form.
Pray: Please continue to hold this region in your prayers in the days and weeks and months to come.