United Methodists across the southeastern U.S. are responding in communities that were devastated by Hurricane Helene. UM News photographer Mike DuBose traveled with church leaders and relief workers in Florida this week to document as they began assessing damage and planning relief efforts.
Compassion was in short supply outside the abandoned church in Ocala, Florida. Now under the leadership of the Rev. Jill Beck, the building houses Compassion United Methodist Church — a safe haven for women battling addictions or fleeing abusive situations.
Dima and Daria Vyshniak recently arrived in the United States, fleeing the war in their native Ukraine. Their home had been leveled by Russian missiles, but they were able to immigrate to the U.S. through a federal program called Uniting for Ukraine. They were greeted at the airport by members of Temple Terrace United Methodist Church.