Video: ‘Look what God can do’


An East Tennessee pastor says God guided her congregation to respond to the needs of families displaced by Hurricane Helene. The Rev. Sarah Varnell, pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church, says the church’s response started small and has grown into a community-wide effort, with the church becoming a safe place for people to come and get supplies. “Look what God can do,” she said.

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Elias Torres cleans up flood damage from Hurricane Helene at Cedar Key (Fla.) United Methodist Church. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News. 

Florida churches begin Helene recovery efforts

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.
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A view of Valle Crucis United Methodist Church in Valle Crucis, N.C., shows water over the stairs of the entryway after flooding caused by Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina and other parts of the southeastern United States last week. Bishop Ken Carter, who leads the Western North Carolina Conference, said it’s estimated that more than half of the 44 counties in the annual conference have been affected. Photo courtesy of the Western North Carolina Conference. 

United Methodists offer relief after Helene

Church members are beginning the long, slow recovery following Helene’s devastating storm surge and flooding in the southeastern U.S. Conferences are busy supporting survivors.
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Disaster Relief
The Rev. Godfrey Gaga (right,) Malawi Provisional Conference superintendent, removes the ribbon from the door of Annie Katumbi’s new home in Ngabu Village in Chikwawa, Malawi. The house was built as part of the United Methodist Committee on Relief’s Phase 2 recovery efforts after Cyclone Freddy devastated the area in 2023. Photo by Francis Nkhoma, UM News.

3 years after cyclone, recovery continues in Malawi

Phase 2 of the United Methodist Committee on Relief’s Cyclone Freddy recovery initiative is delivering long-term shelter, clean water and agricultural support across cyclone-affected districts.
Faith Stories
The Rev. Alfred T. “Fred” Day III speaks about the founding of the African Methodist Episcopal Church on May 17 during the 2016 United Methodist General Conference in Portland, Ore. Day, former top executive of the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History, died Oct. 29 after a short illness. He was 75. File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Beloved historian Rev. Fred Day dies at 75

Friends and colleagues remember the former leader of the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History as a “spiritual guidepost” and powerful preacher who helped history and faith come alive for new generations.

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