Click the following link to donate: http://donate.wesleyan.org/werf/hurricaneirma
Volunteers for clean-up and roof repair can contact Poured Out at poured-out.org.
General Superintendent Wayne Schmidt is activating the Wesleyan Emergency Relief Fund in response to damage sustained in Florida and the Caribbean.
“The aftermath of Hurricane Irma’s impact, while much less severe than anticipated, is requiring assistance in some specific areas and ways,” Schmidt said.
Florida District Superintendent Patrick Styers reports that in addition to significant debris and storm damage in Southwest Florida, five Wesleyan churches and one parsonage need their roofs replaced. Professional roofing contractors and volunteers to help replace roofs are needed.
“Most of these roofs are not covered by property insurance because churches close to the water need what’s called windstorm coverage which is usually not written for these high-risk properties or is so expensive that it is not affordable,” said Styers. “We are looking at a minimum financial need of $250,000 to replace the roofs and provide for other types of building repair.”
General Superintendent of the Wesleyan Holiness Church in the Caribbean, Joel Cumberbatch, is asking for prayer and financial support to address structural damage sustained in Barbuda, Saba, Tortola and St. Thomas.
“I have no doubt that in some instances items like water, toiletries, food items, clothes, etc. will be required,” said Cumberbatch. “We will also need some monetary contributions and skilled labour in terms of artisans and work teams to assist in the rebuilding of the various churches and homes which have been damaged or destroyed.”
“We have an opportunity to respond to emergency needs of our U.S. and Caribbean Wesleyan church family,” said Schmidt. “Please join me in praying, as well as stewarding our resources of time, skills and finances, to help the individuals, communities and congregations seeking to restore their lives and homes following Hurricane Irma.
Partners in Hurricane Irma relief efforts are Poured Out and World Hope International.
“I rejoice at the multiplication of impact through partnerships,” Schmidt added. with Poured Out is managing debris clean up and coordinating volunteers, as well as relief supply distribution in Florida. World Hope is securing supplies for the Wesleyan Village in Brooksville, working with Pastor Jerry Pence and the Brooksville Wesleyan Church on their distribution, and providing generators for district churches, as well as assisting in the Caribbean.”
Details for volunteer coordination for the Caribbean are pending.
WERF updates will be posted on Wesleyan.org/news and on the Wesleyan Church Facebook page as additional information is received.
Click the following link to donate: http://donate.wesleyan.org/werf/hurricaneirma
Volunteers for clean-up and roof repair can contact Poured Out at poured-out.org.
