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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Faith Sharing
Matthew 3:11. Photo by Philipp Hubert / Unsplash; editing and graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

Social media graphics from UM News

Graphic for the second Sunday in Advent available to download and share on social media.
Local Church
Karen Ririe hands a plate to a student during a Thanksgiving Day meal at Coffeyville Community College in Kansas. Ririe is the international student coordinator at the college. She also is a member of Oak Park United Methodist Church in Bartlesville, Okla. Video image by Lilla Marigza, UM News.

Giving international students a taste of Thanksgiving

Coffeyville First United Methodist Church in Kansas offers food and fellowship to college students who can’t travel home for the holidays.
Church Growth
Members of Second Chance take a selfie in the courtyard of Franklinton High School in Columbus, Ohio, on Sept. 21. Second Chance is a new United Methodist faith community focused on people recovering from addictions. It frequently worships in the building, which previously housed a United Methodist church. Photo by Jim Patterson, UM News.

2 church plants bloom on different paths

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