The 2024 United States hurricane season has already left an indelible imprint on our collective memories and in the lives of those calling the Southeastern United States home. From Hurricane Helene’s historic impact in late September to Hurricane Milton’s widespread punches in early October, the damages and needs are long-term and great in a season that is still ongoing.
On October 1, 2024, General Superintendent Wayne Schmidt activated the Wesleyan Emergency Relief Fund (WERF) in response to Hurricane Helene. This response is now widening to become WERF for the 2024 Hurricane Season.
Your response and care for those in need have already been felt in great and mighty ways.
“We have been amazed at the ‘connection’ that is present in The Wesleyan Church. We are blessed with work teams, supplies and generous gifts that have been shared by our Wesleyan family, many from well outside our area,” said North Carolina West District Superintendent Reverend Jerry Lumston. “All these expressions of generosity are helping us help many who still lack power or water or have been displaced from their homes. The lack of housing has resulted in tent communities springing up and the coming cold weather presents continuing needs. We are deeply grateful for those who have stood and continue to stand with us in this time of need.”
“We are so grateful for the depth and speed at which headquarters reaches out and opens up financial relief to us, and how people across our denomination have sacrificially given,” Florida District Superintendent Reverend Derek Atkinson shared. “We are putting this relief to good use as we assist churches with roof and wind damage.
“But our deepest need comes from one church from the southwest region of Florida, who was flooded by at least three feet of water, not just with Helene, but also a second time with Milton. We are leading a work team this Saturday to begin the process of gutting and rebuilding alongside this beautiful congregation. Thank you again, from the bottom of our hearts, for your support!”
To date, The Wesleyan Church’s financial team reports $77,751 has been given to assist the most hard-hit areas within Hurricane Helene’s and Milton’s reach and this is just the beginning.
“Wesleyans, you are demonstrating Christ’s love in action as you walk alongside our Wesleyan brothers and sisters working to recover from the devastating damage caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton,” said General Superintendent Wayne Schmidt. “Your prayers for and encouragement to our districts hardest hit by the storms, your financial support, your gathering, shipping and distributing supplies, and your labor to remove debris and when able, rebuild churches, parsonages and homes matter.
“Damages in Florida and North Carolina West are still being assessed and area needs are ongoing. Please continue giving what you can when you can and how you can,” Dr. Schmidt added. “You are a blessing and lives are being impacted by you.”
Thank you for continuing to prayerfully consider how you can give now and into the future.
All WERF donations go directly to The Wesleyan Church districts to aid in direct 2024 hurricane recovery work through our Wesleyan churches and into their communities. To give, go to wes.life/WERF.
District leaders, when able, are providing updates to wesleyan.org/2024-hurricanes.
Rev. Angela Alvarado is the assistant editor of Communication and Administration of The Wesleyan Church.
