Midweek News Oct 9, 2024

Oct 9, 2024

 

Announcements and Items of Interest

 

October 9, 2024 We have so many of our church family members living in Central Florida and we reach out with love and support and pray for safety for all in the path of Hurricane Milton. We will be there for you in the next days, weeks, and months ahead. When you are able, please send a text or email to let us know how you are doing. The following prayer is adapted from the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Director, and we pray this prayer together in spirit:
God of grace and compassion, In these overwhelming moments of loss and devastation, we come to you with weary hearts that are both heavy and hopeful. We hold in our prayers and hearts all those impacted by the hurricanes, conflicts, and other disasters, and we implore for your mercy, peace,  and healing to embrace our siblings all over the world. By your grace, bring comfort to those who are grieving, give strength to the exhausted, and provide shelter for those who have lost everything. We especially pray for the ongoing relief efforts in Western NC in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and we pray for safety for all in the path of Hurricane Milton that is headed toward central Florida as a category 4 hurricane.

May your Spirit move in this, your creation, bringing peace amid the turmoil, and breathing hope into the places that feel broken. May your Spirit continue to be the quiet but constant reassurance that you are with your children and creation, even in the darkest moments,guiding us toward healing and restoration. As we continue to see the news, we lift up the brave souls who are working tirelessly to rescue and assist. Give strength and wisdom for the tasks ahead. And stir our hearts, dear God, to step in with compassion, helping our neighbors, near and far, with kindness, love,  and compassion. In all of these disasters, we place our trust in your everlasting promises of your presence and care. Restore what has been shattered and lead us toward a path of renovation, peace, healing, and the renewing power of your always-present Spirit.
We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Crossnore Presbyterian Church Hurricane Helene Update: It has been almost two weeks since Hurricane Helene barreled into our mountain communities. The rescue, recovery, and rebuilding continue. Food and medicine are being delivered in remote places on the backs of horses, mules, and goats. Washed-out roads and bridges are slowly being rebuilt, power and water lines are being restored,  and trees and debris are being cleared away. Thousands of people are assisting- Local fire departments, police, EMS, The National Guard, FEMA, Samaritan’s Purse, Presbyterian Disaster Relief, Baptist Disaster Relief, in addition to the hundreds of church and service groups arriving with supplies, chainsaws, propane, gasoline, and so much more. Many of our full-time members are volunteering across the county. It is amazing to see the hands and feet of Christ everywhere serving in a multitude of ways. Lots of folks are still without power, water, and food and are dependent on the communities to care for them. Some still remain in shelters because of the severe damage to their homes and no housing available in their communities. Two churches in the area have been flooded: Fellowship Presbyterian Church and Mountainside Lutheran Church- we are reaching out to see how our church can support them. The death toll continues to rise but the list of missing persons continues to decrease as persons are found. We are so blessed that the members of our church family are all safe with no major damage to their homes or our church.

We were able to have worship in the fellowship hall this past Sunday and I think we hugged each other for an hour! Our service centered around the stories of tragedy and hope. A woman at a gas station used her credit card to fill up gas in cars until she maxed out at $2,000. The Italian Restaurant in Pineola was the only restaurant in the area to open up with a generator the day after the hurricane. They fed over 500 people who had traveled hours to find food One of our members was able to find a generator but had no propane. Every day a “propane baby”, as she put it, mysteriously shows up in her yard. Covenant Presbyterian Church in Charlotte found out the Reaching Avery Ministry Food Pantry was almost empty due to the hurricane destruction of the Manna Food Bank in Asheville, so they loaded up a truck with food, drove to the mountains, filled up the RAM pantry, and ordered a pod so Janet Milsaps can store more groceries. Vendors for the canceled Wooly Worm Festival have donated their fees to hurricane relief. All the elementary children in Avery County have been accounted for and are safe. The tragedy, of course, is the 227 lives and the homes and businesses washed away by flooding and landslides.

 

I just got off the phone with Matthew Bentley, the principal of Crossnore Elementary School, and he shares the following information about his students: 3 grandparents were killed in the hurricane, 15 children are displaced, and 9 children have lost their homes and are living with family members. Our mountain communities will take a long, long time to recover. Our church is for the long haul to assist in ways that are helpful and hopeful. God’s presence is felt in ways that both amaze and humble us!
Ways You Can Help: Our Session has established a Hurricane Relief Fund that will be used to assist our partner non-profits in Avery County when there is no government or private funds to cover expenses for those in desperate need. You can contribute by sending a check to Crossnore Presbyterian Church, designate it for Hurricane Relief, and mail it to P.O. Box 386, Crossnore, NC 28616 or you can go on the church website: www.crossnorepresbyterianchurch.org and press the green give now button as the top of the web page. It will take you to donation categories. All the donations given to Special Mission and General Missions will go to hurricane relief. Since
October 1, we have raised around $27,000. Thanks be to God!

Volunteer Opportunities at this time:
Reaching Avery Ministry- next to Dollar General in Newland- Mon-Fri, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.- help with food boxes and clothing distribution; Feeding Avery Families- look at their Facebook for details; Newland Fire Department- delivering supplies to homes; Frank and Green Valley Communities- down 194 towards Spruce Pine, turn to the right and go to the Frank Fire Department- need volunteers to clear debris and clean out mud from buildings.  Worship continues to be held in the church fellowship every Sunday at 11 a.m. Hope you can join us!

Wednesday Bible Study will be begin next Wednesday, October 16, 3-4:30 p.m., in the fellowship hall. Pastor Kathy will be leading the group in a deep dive into the Gospel of Mark. Everyone is invited!  Our October Potluck Luncheon will be held on Sunday, October 20, following worship. This will be an old-fashioned covered dish luncheon- bring your favorite casserole, vegetable dish, salad, or dessert.