A note from Bishop Bryan: Alive Together in Storm Recovery

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Our church members and our pastors in the areas most affected by Hurricane Michael are hard at work checking on those in their churches and communities. Rev. Tammy Fincannon is a good example of what I am seeing: faithful pastors tending to the needs of their church and communities. Tammy serves as pastor of Reynolds Chapel UMC which is located at Lake Seminole in the area where Hurricane Michael first entered South Georgia. The wooded area around the lake is filled with residents, many of whom live there in retirement. After the hurricane, the access roads were blocked by debris. Even as the Army worked to open the roads, Tammy showed up at the homes of her members to check on them and to assess their needs. It was not uncommon to hear someone say, “I can’t believe you are here. How did you get into this area?” Tammy found a way. And that is the same grit and determination that we are seeing all over the South Georgia Conference.

I want to thank our faithful pastors who will not allow anything to keep them from their flock. I want to thank our faithful church members who, even without power or water, have quickly come to the aid of their neighbors in need. 

Thanks to all the work teams that have already been on location all over South Georgia to join the recovery from Hurricane Michael. And thanks to all who will be part of this process for months to come. Your presence lifts the spirits of those who must live daily with the lasting effects of the damage that was done by this historic storm. 

Your special offerings, your prayers, the supplies and work teams you are sending – all testify to the truth that we really are Alive Together in Christ.

Alive Together in Storm Recovery,

R. Lawson Bryan