On September 26, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida and continued unleashing devastation there and then in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee. Over 200 people have died and many remain lost. As search and rescue continues, many are without power, food, water, and homes. Anxiety and grief are palpable. The church is called to respond.
Both the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Southeastern Synod and the Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee are committed to working together to assist in the recovery of those impacted in the region. Together, we will:
- Engage and empower the disaster recovery outreach of Episcopal and ELCA congregations in the diocese and synod responding to Hurricane Helene
- Alleviate human suffering and address unmet needs by providing access to emergency assistance funds
- Gather much-needed supplies and materials for disaster relief and recovery.
- Offer emotional and spiritual care
- Connect volunteers and mission teams from our congregations with volunteer opportunities to help survivors recover
- Support the long-term recovery of the region
We have established coordinators to help facilitate this holy work. Together we can mobilize resources – human, material, financial – to help the survivors and their communities recover.
Together let us commit to the following:
- Pray. Please pray for our neighbors. Please pray for rescue workers, first responders, government officials, volunteers, and the communities that have been impacted by this disaster. Please include this disaster in your Prayers of the People for the foreseeable future.
- Give. Financial donations are the most important need at this time. Disaster needs change quickly and monetary donations will allow us to meet those ever-changing needs in the most timely fashion.
- Volunteer. Together as Episcopalians and ELCA Lutherans we can work for the healing of the region. Reach out to learn more about volunteer opportunities for individuals and congregations.
We are called to be the Body of Christ in this time and in this place. We have been gifted and called to serve our neighbors by the virtue of our baptism. Join us as we work to bring about wholeness where there is brokenness, healing where there is pain and love where there is grief.
Peace,
The Rt. Rev. Brian L. Cole and The Rev. Dr. Kevin L. Strickland
Click here for updates, donations, and volunteering with the Diocese of East Tennessee.