Laity, Clergy, and Friends of the West Virginia Conference:

In June of 2016, West Virginia sustained unprecedented damage from flooding, and our brothers and sisters across the United Methodist connection sprang to our aid. In fact, the first conference to respond was Alabama-West Florida, and our friends in the North and South Carolina have consistently provided assistance.

Today, in the wake of Hurricanes Florence and Michael, people in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas need us, just as we needed them.

In the video above, I invite you and your churches to prayerfully consider how you can respond to these latest disasters with your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness. I encourage you to take up special offerings for hurricane relief, and to consider forming Volunteers In Missions (VIM) teams in your church or parish to offer hands-on assistance.

I also invite you to use this video during your services, small group meetings, or other gatherings, and to share it with your friends on social media and within your communities.

Financial gifts from special offerings should be sent to the Conference Treasurer along with the church remittance form, earmarked for “Hurricane Florence #115” or “Hurricane Michael #116.” Make checks payable to Conference Treasurer and mail to PO Box 2469, Charleston, WV 25329. Gifts made outside the local church may be sent directly to the Conference Office making sure to note the above-referenced fund numbers on your check.

If your church is interested in forming a VIM team or needs help doing so, please contact our VIM coordinator, Rev. David Stilgenbauer, at 304-645-5570 or email revdaves@yahoo.com. You may also visit our Conference Disaster Response page.

Grace and Peace,
Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball