It has been a difficult week in our country with all of the destruction, people still missing, and lives lost due to Hurricane Helene.  Because I went to college in North Carolina, it’s a state I know fairly well.  I’ve found myself studying the pictures of the devastation because it’s hard to fathom what has happened. 

It’s hard to look away and to hear the stories from survivors. 
It’s hard to truly believe the damage caused in these beautiful mountain towns.
The truth is that some towns have been effectively wiped out, and it’s hard to imagine how long it will take to recover from all that has occurred. 
Hurricane Helene is one of the deadliest hurricanes to hit our country in this century.*

The UCC has shared specific ways to help with the Hurricane Helene relief effort (you will find the information at the end of the announcements).  And in the meantime, it felt important to share a prayer this week too. 

Love,
Pastor Lauren
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O God of infinite grace and generous love, our hearts tremble to see the destruction wrought by Hurricane Helene. We lift our prayers to you.

Hold close all those whose homes and communities, businesses and places of worship have been overcome by water and wind, who awakened to upended lives and tossed landscapes.

Grant your blessing to all those who will rush to help and heal in the immediate aftermath, to all those who will follow over time to recover and repair what has been lost.

Stir resilience among all those who will walk the long road to full recovery. Receive their tears. Absorb their shock. Console their grieving hearts.

Resurrect what’s been broken and destroyed. Illuminate paths to the future when exhaustion and desolation overwhelm.

Move all of us to respond with hearts of compassion, acts of service, and generous giving.

O God, hear our petitions. And let our prayers endure and our response be sustained until fresh hope arises from the ruins. Amen.**

~Rev. Shari Prestemon, Acting Associate General Minister/Co-Executive of Global Ministries

*”As death toll mounts, Helene rescue efforts underway across Southeast,” The Washington Post, October 1, 2024, https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2024/10/01/hurricane-helene-aftermath-north-carolina-floods-damage/

**Kayla Berkey, “UCC issues appeal for those impacted by widespread destruction of Hurricane Helene,” September 30, 2024, https://www.ucc.org/ucc-issues-appeal-for-those-impacted-by-widespread-destruction-of-hurricane-helene/

Photo by Wes Hicks on Unsplash

Thursday Thoughts 10/3/24