Bishop Fairley and our delegation arrived at St. James UMC in December and met Rev. Mark Dickinson, the South Central District Superintendent, and Rev. Caleb Wheat, the Pastor at St. James. It was overcast and windy but mild for December – low-60s – as we arrived. Rain was scheduled to arrive in the next couple of hours.
Your support of the Episcopal Fund apportionment helps pay the salaries and benefits of United Methodist Bishops and allows them to travel across their episcopal areas providing mentorship and leadership.
Three tornadoes had been confirmed in Warren County, according to news reports. Dickinson told us one went directly over his and his family’s house. He remembers feeling the intense change in air pressure and the noise. “It sounded like the largest freight train ever.”
Their home was spared, but many others nearby were destroyed or badly damaged.
David Graves, a State Farm Insurance agent in Bowling Green, also met us at St. James. He is the brother of Gary Graves, who is serving as Secretary of the UMC’s General Conference. Gary Graves has pastored churches in some of the hardest-hit areas and accompanied us as we surveyed the damage and talked with people.
David Graves said one of the biggest things that has stood out for him is people near and far “truly being good neighbors” after the storms. “I’ve never seen so many donations come in so fast,” he said. The same with local people with chain saws who have been working to clear fallen trees since right after the storm.
“It warms your heart. … Everyone just wants to help.”
Judy Moore, a member of State Street UMC, joined the group in the St. James parking lot to talk about her family’s situation. Her home was badly damaged, but the initial assessment is that it is repairable.
Fairley took her hand and prayed with her there in the St. James parking lot. Afterward, he offered words of praise and encouragement to Wheat for his team at St. James. “I’m just grateful for all your work,” the Bishop said.
The two pastors then took us around the neighborhood near St. James where many houses were hit.
We then headed to Faith UMC, where Pastor Mark Rogers joined us and took us around the nearby neighborhood, where some of the worst damage occurred in the city, along with most of the 15 confirmed fatalities.
Rogers said he and his church have been handing out meals, snacks, and coffee in the stricken neighborhood to first responders, homeowners looking through the rubble, and whoever else they encounter.
We drove back to our starting point at St. James and then headed up the road to Madisonville, 80 miles to the northwest.
The town itself was not hit by a tornado, but it was a near miss.
Fairley and the Communications Team were met at Madisonville First UMC by a congregation of church leaders. Also there was Rev. Cameron Edwards of Webb Memorial/Slaughters First, who chairs the Pennyrile District’s Disaster Response Team; Jim Morse, who oversees the Conference’s Disaster Response Team; and American Red Cross representatives.
Fairley visited with pastors, prayed with them and thanked them for everything they are doing.
Please continue to keep those affected by the tornadoes in your prayers and please continue your financial support.
excerpt from a story by Alan Wild, Kentucky Annual Conference
One of seven apportioned giving opportunities of The United Methodist Church, the Episcopal Fund pays for bishops’ salaries, office and travel expenses, and pension and health-benefit coverage. Please encourage your leaders and congregations to support the Episcopal Fund apportionment at 100 percent.
