West Virginia has been soaked this summer with a series of severe and prolonged storms. As the flood waters recede, several homes in Mineral Wells have been ruined. Mudslides and floodwaters closed dozens of roads around the state. Webster County Memorial Hospital’s kitchen was destroyed and the damage estimates for the hospital are estimated at half a million dollars.

The congregation at Mt. Pleasant United Methodist in Mineral Wells served several families and individuals who were displaced or otherwise affected by the storms. Supplies of bottled water, infant items, clothing and cleaning (flood) buckets and health kits poured in from the community.

Jan Bargeloh was one of several church members on duty July 14 to ensure those who needed supplies received them after flooding displaced 150 families in the Parkersburg area.

“I’m just glad that we can help,” she said. “We’ve been pretty busy.”

West Virginia Conference churches who want to help are encouraged to take up offerings for the West Virginia Conference Disaster Response Fund.

“Cash donations to the Conference Disaster Response Fund enable us to be there and help,” said the Rev. Sue Lowther, who leads disaster response for the conference with her husband, the Rev. Dan Lowther. Churches may take up offerings anytime and use the conference remittance form to send in their contributions. Make sure you designate your funds for Conference Disaster Response.

Individuals may also send checks to: Conference Treasurer, PO Box 2469, Charleston, WV 25329-2469. Please write “Conference Disaster Response/Relief Fund” in the memo line of your check.

You may also use photos from the Flickr feed taken by Dan and Sue Lowther, and Conference communicator Laura Harbert Allen for audiovisuals during worship. They may also be used in church newsletters and in any other media piece relevant to your ministry setting.