Hurricane Florence Update
Board of World Mission – Moravian Disaster Response
September 18, 2018
As of Tuesday, September 18, 2018 Hurricane Florence has finally moved north and the Carolinas have their first chance to begin to recover from the hurricane’s initial fury, storm surge, and subsequent deluge. Wilmington, NC took the brunt of the storm both in terms of winds, rainfall, and now the flooding of rivers and streams. All of the rain that fell inland needs to make its way to the ocean, and the Cape Fear River which passes through Wilmington is one of the main tributaries that needs to carry all of this water. As of today Wilmington has become an island which has made getting need relief supplies into the area very difficult and expensive.
We have been in touch with Mr. Don Britt who serves as the vice-chair of the Board of Elders at the Covenant Moravian Church and he reports that the church property has been spared the worst of the storm as there seems to be no major damage to the exterior of the building. Since he and most members of the church evacuated during the storm and have not yet been able to return, we do not yet know the full extent of damages to the church or to the homes of members of the congregation. We continue to ask your prayers for everyone who has been affected by the storm.
Further inland, rain and a steady wind proved to be the biggest problem. We are thankful to report that none of our many North Carolina congregations have reported major issues.
Currently first responders are hard at work bringing aid where it is needed and utility crews are beginning the long process of reconnecting power, phone, and other services. The Board of World Mission will now await word from our contacts in Wilmington as they are able to return home and let us know how we can best help them. We will also continue to monitor conditions in North and South Carolina and communicate a plan of action as a path forward is discerned with our ecumenical partners. We may communicate some opportunities to engage through partner organizations in a coordinated response in the early stages of the recovery.
We would invite your support for Moravian Disaster Response (MDR) funding as we respond to the needs of not only this storm but the on-going needs in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Port Author, TX from last year’s storms and the potential for hurricanes and other disasters yet to come this year. Designating your gift to “MDR” allows us to use your donation in the place where it is most needed at the moment.
To make a secure online donation please go to http://moravianmission.org/give/ and click on the green “Donate Now” link at the top of the page.
If you wish to mail in your donations, please send them to our Bethlehem office:
Moravian Board of World Mission
1021 Center Street
Bethlehem, PA 18018
Those living in Canada may send donations to the following address in order to receive full tax credit for your donation which will then be sent along to the BWM:
Moravian Church in Canada
600 Acadia Drive SE
Calgary, AB T2J 0B8
For more information please call the Board of World Mission at 610-868-1732, or email me at chris@moravianmission.org. You may also visit the Board of World Mission web site at www.moraviamission.org to sign up to be a volunteer by following the “Serve” link.
Our commitment remains in aiding the rebuilding efforts in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Texas, and we welcome those with questions about those specific opportunities to reach out to Jill Kolodziej (jill@moravianmission.org) for more information.
We thank you for being part of the Body of Christ that continues to reach out to those who suffer so that they can find comfort and the love of God.
Peace in Christ,
The Rt. Rev. Chris Giesler
Director of Mission Engagement
Board of World Mission of the Moravian Church in North America
PO Box 1245
Bethlehem, PA 18016
