Social media can be a mixed bag, but for two United Methodist pastors and their congregations, a simple Facebook post sparked a movement of compassion and generosity for victims of Hurricane Helene. The storm devastated parts of Asheville, North Carolina, in late September, leaving the beloved tourist destination grappling with catastrophic flooding and widespread damage.
The post came from Nate Yeske, a former ministry colleague and friend. “I’m safe, but please pray for Asheville,” he wrote, sharing the desperate situation in his hometown. Hurricane Helene, described as a once-in-a-millennium storm, brought over nine inches of rain in just two days, causing landslides, power outages, and water plant failures. For more than 50 days, residents endured life without clean water, and 104 lives were tragically lost.
Revs. Dianna Stone and Laura Quakenbush Steele saw Nate’s plea and immediately offered prayers. But for these pastors, who had worked alongside Nate in Search, a GNJ youth retreat ministry, prayer was only the beginning.
Rev. Stone, pastor of Flemington UMC, was moved by the plight of Nate’s coworkers in Asheville’s hospitality industry. With tourism at a standstill due to the storm, many employees lost weeks of income and faced mounting challenges, especially without clean water. Partnering with her congregation, Rev. Stone organized a gift card drive to help these workers buy essentials. Their efforts resulted in enough grocery gift cards to support 20 individuals, offering a lifeline during an incredibly difficult time.
Rev. Steele and her congregation at Summit UMC turned their attention to the massive cleanup effort. Across North Carolina, Hurricane Helene damaged or destroyed 900 housing units in Asheville alone and left 100,000 homes statewide in need of repair. With supplies for flood recovery in short supply, United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) struggled to meet the demand.
Rev. Steele’s children’s ministry took action, setting up a hot chocolate stand at the local farmers market raising $250 to restock UMCOR’s flood bucket supplies. The church added another $820 in donations, bringing the total to $1,072, which covered supplies for additional buckets. Additionally, the congregation donated five fully packed flood buckets critical kits used in cleaning and restoring homes after disasters. Their contribution not only filled immediate needs but also reminded survivors that they were not alone.
In times of crisis, knowing that someone sees your struggle and cares can make all the difference. For the victims of Hurricane
Helene, the support from Flemington and Summit UMC was a tangible reminder of that care.
This a testament to the power of connection within the United Methodist Church. Even in a digital age, where relationships may be limited to social media, the bonds of shared ministry and mission remain strong. Together, these congregations exemplified what it means to be the hands and feet of Christ, bringing hope and healing to those in need. When one of us hurts, we all respond. That’s what makes us United Methodists.