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Video: ‘Look what God can do’

Video and photos by Annette Spence, Holston Conference; produced by Lilla Marigza, UM News.

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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Church Leadership
Tongan United Methodists lay hands on one of their peers during a service at Martin United Methodist Church in Bedford, Texas. About a third of the congregation is Tongan and they lean toward traditional theology and politics, says the Rev. Daniel Hawkins, lead pastor. He calls Martin a “purple church,” with a blend of red (Republican) and blue (Democrat) members. “We have been comfortable with the idea of being unified without being uniform,” Hawkin says. Photo courtesy of Martin United Methodist Church.

Pastors walk a political tightrope
Political and moral polarization is prominent in the United States, and United Methodist pastors are treading carefully on these issues as they lead diverse congregations.
Local Church
Graphic by Ben Ward, photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Finding Unity in Diversity: A Church's Journey with the Rev. Daniel Hawkins
The pastor of Martin United Methodist Church in the Horizon Texas Conference says he leads a “purple church,” where people are prioritized over political views. In “Signs of Life,” a new podcast from UM News, Ben Ward talks with the Rev. Daniel Hawkins about bringing diverse church members to the table and having sometimes hard conversations to be in community together. He says the congregation, which is one-third Tongan, is “unified without being uniform.”
Local Church
Susan Clark. Photo courtesy of the author.

Winter guard meets Wesleyan warmth
St. John’s United Methodist Church in South Carolina opens its doors to out-of-state teen performers at a moment’s notice, showing the United Methodist connection at work.

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