An Update to our Church Family

Friday, October 4, 2024

This past week has been overwhelming. The storm left an unprecedented aftermath and with that came an opportunity to respond.  Each day has brought new challenges and new avenues of outreach. We are responding.  

The power to the church was restored on Sunday morning, 9/29/24, and we were able to gather for worship in the chapel. 

On Monday, 9/30/24, we opened the church to anyone who had a need for water, power, or the internet. We also had some church members express an interest in preparing hot meals with the food from their freezers.  Two different groups of people used the kitchen throughout the week and fed our neighbors.  Thank you!  

Early in the week we received word of a truck with donated supplies from Foothills Brewing in Winston Salem, NC.  We welcomed the truck (showed up in 2 hours). Thanks to volunteers from Habitat for Humanity and from the soccer team at ERHS, we were able to unload and place the items in the Fellowship Hall.  We have distributed some of these items to students at Forrest Hunt Elementary and ERHS, to residents at local hotels and to members of the Well Springs United Methodist Church. We have more available if you know of a need 

We also received word from Katie and Nathan Bass that a semi truck from Elizabeth City, NC was needing a place to deliver.  A man named Rob and a group of contractors put together 40 pallets of needed food, water and supplies for our region (see list at the end of this email).  We immediately contacted service groups, shared the list of items and organized a distribution.  This will happen on Saturday, October 5 at 8:00 am.  The Town of Forest City and the FC Fire Department will allow us to use the facility across from Collins scrap yard to deliver and distribute the goods.  The following groups/organizations will be on hand to receive:

  • Texas on Mission (part of the Baptist on Mission organization here to remove trees from houses and roads)
  • Spruce Pine Fire Department (items will be delivered to them by our local fire department)
  • Forest City Fire Department
  • Pilgrims Pathway Church (on the front line in the Green Hill area working with the Sheriff’s Department to clear a path into Lake Lure and Chimney Rock)
  • Rocky Mount Church and the Moorseville Fire Department (also serving in the Lake Lure/Chimney Rock area)
  • Old Fort Medical Office (will receive 1 pallet of food and 1 pallet of water)
  • FUMC (we will receive 1 pallet of food and 1 pallet of water to distribute to our community)

Our plan is to welcome volunteers to unload the pallets, separate the items and prepare them to be distributed.  We are thankful for the following who will help:

  • Church members:  We will set up tables and chairs for a breakfast for the volunteers (thank you to all who have brought in food and goodies).  We also have some who have volunteered to bring trucks/trailers to help with the distribution.  Our youth will be on hand to help unload and sort. If you would like to join us please feel free.  
  • Forest City Fire Fighters
  • Athletes from ERHS (Soccer and Softball teams)

Thank you to all who are making this possible.  

In addition to this, our church has been reaching out to our members through phone calls and check in visits.  Please know that we are available and will try to meet needs as they present themselves. Call or text us and we will respond.

We continue with our daily routine in the midst of this time.  The staff has been working hard to keep up with all of this in addition to the “normal” responsibilities.  

  • We are preparing to WORSHIP IN THE SANCTUARY THIS SUNDAY for World Communion Sunday. Please note:  The ELEVATOR is not working.  We anticipate this being fixed on Monday.  
  • A group from the church went to Brookdale on Wednesday afternoon for a time of worship and sharing with the residents.  We brought the desk bells and made a joyful noise together…it was a beautiful thing.  
  • The Coffee and Conversation Bible Study met at Hope House for our  study on the book of Acts and for prayer. 
  • Church members came to make donations and find opportunities for service. FYI: UMCOR is our United Methodist organization who is on the front line providing services to those impacted.  100% of your donation goes to the need! We will share information about this in the near future.
  • Youth went out to help clean debris and to help at the airport with unloading planes.

It has been a challenging, but very good week and we are very blessed. As we move forward we continue to pray for our community and for all those impacted.  We continue to look for opportunities to serve.  We continue to be the church together.  Thank you church for your support through your prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness.  We look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

Items being donated on Saturday: 

5 Pallets of FOOD

5 Pallets of WATER

1 Pallet of BLEACH

1 Pallet of CONTRACTOR BAGS

1 Pallet of PAPER TOWELS

 100 SHOVELS

25 WHEEL BARROWS

100 RAKES

200 Pairs of WORK GLOVES

1 Pallet of BUCKETS

1 Pallet of TRU FUEL 

10 GENERATORS

100 GAS CANS

100 TARPS

100 EXTENSION CORDS

100 Quarts of BAR OIL

50 FIRST AID KITS

200 Packs of SHOWER WIPES