We are watching the developments of Hurricane Florence closely. As information becomes more available we will be posting updates regularly on this page. Please bookmark it and check back frequently. You can use the comment section below to ask questions. We will do our best to respond as quickly as possible.
Thursday, October 11th, 5:00 pm update: On Monday, October 22nd, EMC will be sending a team to New Bern to join forces with other volunteers through Temple Baptist Church (1500 Kingdom Way, New Bern, NC). The church van will be departing the church parking lot at 5:30 am for a daylong work trip. There will be all kinds of work to do – manual labor for those with able bodies, and lighter work for those with physical challenges. All are welcome to come!
If you are able and willing, please inform the church office by Friday, October 19th so that we can communicate to Temple the size of our team for logistical purposes. Please signify where you would like to help: gutting of houses, food preparation, or laundry.
Thursday, September 20th, 5:00 pm update: Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with those who have been impacted by Hurricane Florence, as well as the emergency crews who are responding to the needs. Last weekend’s emergency relief drive resulted in nearly 900 lbs. of food and supplies donated to the local food shelter. We will hold another drive in October. In the meantime, monetary donations can be made directly to relief efforts through the following links:
Our church is exploring additional ways we can reach out to those communities that have been devastated. As the flood waters begin to recede and the need becomes more clear, we will be looking for how to engage in the recovery and rebuilding efforts. Additionally we want to minister to the first responders and emergency crews and are looking into how to be a source of encouragement and support to them.
Many of our own church members have families and friends in the high impact area. We will be doing our best to reach out to them to help rebuild their lives.
Please remember that many are still suffering. Some have lost everything. The needs will persist for many weeks, months, if not years. Please continue to pray and ask the Lord for how you can be used to help.
Friday, September 14th, 4:00 pm update: The impact of Hurricane Florence is still being felt along the southeast North Carolina and northeast South Carolina coasts. It is currently projected to slowly continue making its way along the coast of South Carolina before turning inland, dumping many inches to feet of rain on inland communities throughout the southeast US over the weekend. This storm is still very dangerous, but the majority of the threat seems to have shifted to the south of our own region.
As of this afternoon, we are still planning on holding our usual Sunday morning activities. We will hold a special Worship Service of Praise and Intercession at 10:15 am to give thanks to God for his protection from the storm and to intercede on behalf of those still being affected by it.
You are also encouraged to bring any extra hurricane supplies (or any other supplies you would like to donate) that you did not need to the church this Sunday to be donated as disaster relief items to our high impact neighboring communities. The church will collect these items and determine the best way to deliver them to the Food Bank of Eastern and Central North Carolina – which serves the region most impacted by Florence – early next week.
The most needed items for disaster relief are:
- High-protein canned meals with pop-top cans (ravioli, soups, spaghetti)
- Paper goods and products (paper towels/plates/cups/napkins, plastic utensils)
- Diapers
- Hygiene products (shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, hand sanitizer, etc.)
- Single serving meals that do not require refrigeration or cooking/meals ready to eat
- Single serving snacks such as raisins & granola bars
- Peanut Butter
- Cleaning supplies and disinfectant wipes
We may organize another food drive in the coming days/weeks, but donating extra items this Sunday will allow us to begin making an immediate effort to help this week. The EMC men’s ministry will also be exploring the formation of work teams to assist in rebuilding efforts.
Monetary donations can be made directly to relief efforts through the following links:
Please continue to pray for those in the crosshairs of this storm and continue looking after your friends and neighbors of your own local communities. We will continue updating this page with storm news and information in the coming days.
Tuesday, September 11th, 12:00 pm update: Hurricane Florence is currently projected to begin impacting the area as early as Thursday morning. Therefore, all EMC-related activities are cancelled through Saturday:
- AHSL meeting (Tuesday)
- EMC Preschool (Wednesday-Friday)
- All Wednesday activities (Young at Heart, KidZone, Infused, choir, Bible study, small groups)
- Morning Light/Night Light (Thursday)
- Men’s breakfast (Saturday)
We will assess and determine what to do regarding Sunday events as the week progresses and post everything on this page.
Monday, September 10th, 2:30 pm update: There are currently no official plans to cancel or postpone any of the week’s activities yet. The staff will be meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) morning to assess the situation and we will issue an update tomorrow afternoon.
In the meantime, please take the potential threats this dangerous storm poses seriously and don’t wait until the last minute to make any necessary preparations.
If you have questions, please direct them to the church office 252-264-2254 x. 200 or contact us via email.
