VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 7/14/23)—American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) continues to pray for God’s comfort and strength for those ravaged this past week by storm-induced floodwaters that tore through Vermont, which experienced the widest swath of destruction; New Hampshire; Pennsylvania; and New York, where one death was confirmed.

The Rev. Ron Bouthillette, interim executive minister for the American Baptist Vermont New Hampshire Region, and Sue Wyand, the region’s office administrator, have reported to ABHMS about hearing from church leaders and have begun to assess their needs. These are expected to be substantial given the scale of the disaster.

“Parts of our nation are practiced in disaster preparedness, “ said the Rev. Lisa Harris Lee, ABHMS director of Healing & Transforming Communities, “but for communities where a large-scale catastrophe may occur once in a lifetime, the resulting shock seems greater.” Harris Lee observed that the damage assessment following this historic flooding could take weeks or months. However, she assures that ABHMS will remain in continual communication with the affected areas.

“The suddenness and scope of the losses people have suffered make a meaningful response all the more vital,” said Harris Lee, who noted that ABHMS is not an emergency responder in the traditional sense. “Our objective is to receive and disburse funds as quickly as possible through One Great Hour of Sharing [OGHS] to meet emergent and longer-term needs. This is one of the most immediate responses we can offer. OGHS is a reliable vehicle for you to get every dollar of your donation to the communities in need.”

How you can help:

Please join American Baptists in supporting the relief efforts directed toward those who were in the path of the torrential rains and floods. One hundred percent of designated OGHS gifts are allocated to domestic disaster relief.

You can donate via your church or directly online to Northeast Floods.

Checks designated to “Northeast Floods” should be mailed to ABHMS’ Office of Development, care of Kim Wilkins, 1075 First Avenue, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406.

Checks should include the name of the donor’s church to ensure that it receives credit for the gift.

The World Relief Committee of the Board of General Ministries of American Baptist Churches USA administers One Great Hour of Sharing. The committee facilitates American Baptist emergency relief, disaster rehabilitation, refugee work and development assistance by establishing policy guidelines and overseeing distribution of the annual One Great Hour of Sharing offering received by churches.

To learn more about ABHMS, please visit abhms.org.

American Baptist Home Mission Societies partners with American Baptists to promote Christian faith, cultivate Christ-centered leaders and disciples, and bring healing and transformation to communities across the United States and Puerto Rico.

American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.