Western North Carolina

Members of Floris United Methodist Church help Barbara Douglas remove debris from her home in Spruce Pine, N.C., following Hurricane Helene. Video image by Lilla Marigza, UM News.

Volunteers still rebuilding 1 year after Helene

Natural disasters fade quickly from the headlines, but recovery often takes years.

United Methodists in North Carolina and beyond say it’s important for Christians with opposing political views to seek common ground. That’s the idea behind the Western North Carolina Conference’s Purple Church Initiative, which aims to foster dialogue between conservative and progressive church members. Church image by Steven Kyle Adair; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

Looking for middle ground in a divisive era

As President Trump returns to office, some United Methodists are preparing to respond to new policies on immigration, while others are hoping common ground is still possible among politically diverse members.

Disaster Relief

Al Tompkins and Carolyn Koontz talk with Anita McKinney on the porch of her home in Newland, N.C. Screengrab by Lilla Marigza, UM News.

‘I’m blessed’: Church crews respond to storms

United Methodists from Moneta, Virginia, got to work in Western North Carolina, helping with recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene caused massive flooding in the region.

When a group of teens accepted Brian Edwards’ invitation to play basketball in the church gym at Muir’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Greensboro, N.C., it blossomed into a weekly event complete with dinner and fellowship. Photo courtesy of United Methodist Foundation of Western North Carolina.

Basketball invite leads to ministry

An invitation to play basketball in the church gym led to the Spark After Dark ministry at Muir’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Greensboro, N.C. Spark After Dark now attracts dozens of youth for open gym time, dinner and fellowship on Sunday nights.

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