Grace Cathedral

Dear Friends,

“Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” –Psalm 118

This phrase came to mind on Sunday when Patricia, a stranger from Western North Carolina whose life had been upended and dangerously imperiled by the recent storm surge from Hurricane Helene, eased my worries about my 80-year-old cousin Bobby, who lives in the mountains of western North Carolina.

In the aftermath of the storm and flooding, my cousins in other parts of North Carolina had been unable to reach Bobby, and one had set out to drive through the flooding to find him.

Meanwhile, too far away to go looking myself, I reached out to all the local Episcopal Churches near his hometown of Hendersonville, NC. With power out everywhere and with understandable struggles due to the conditions, none were answering their phones. I left voice mails and wrote emails to several parishes, uncertain which was Bobby’s but hoping for a lead or for help from someone on the ground.

The next morning, I heard from Patricia, a neighbor of Bobby’s and an active member in her Episcopal Church. The church administrator of a neighboring parish I had called, worked out where Bobby was a member and found someone who could find out how he was.

“Dear Sister in Christ,” Patricia wrote, “Bobby is just fine. His nephew Chris drove up from Charlotte to take him to stay with family while we have no power and very limited water. He came over this morning to give me a hug before he left.”

Patricia told me all about her relationship with Bobby, how he had comforted her through Covid, how she had walked with him as he grieved the illness and death of his husband, and about their shared love of the church.

With more than 200 people, from Florida to Virginia killed in the storm, hundreds more missing, and countless homeless and without electricity or clean water, I am immeasurably grateful to know that Bobby is safe. I am, also, deeply touched by Patricia’s and the unnamed church administrator who outdid themselves to assuage my worries, a stranger 2700 miles away. 

Blessed it is the one who comes in the name of the Lord, is a phrase we say regularly at church, and this week, it occurs to me that its truest expression is sometimes in sharing that blessing with others.

Patricia and the church administrator shared their blessings with me and Bobby’s family. I am sure the many Episcopal churches in the region are continuing to do untold and immeasurable good for people in the region. In their time of need, we have an opportunity to share our blessings, too.

We are invited to join Bishop Austin Rios, whose letter this week invites prayer for the people of North Carolina and all affected areas, in the wake of storm and flood, and in supporting the relief efforts through Episcopal Relief and Development.

Join me in praying these verses written by the Rev. Canon. Anna Rossi:

Almighty God, by your hand you led your children 

through raging waters to rest on dry land.

Be with all whose lives are devastated by storm and flood,

especially the people of North Carolina;

Strengthen first responders and all who bear signs of your promise,

renew communities whose homes and hopes have been washed away,

give rest to the dead, and dry the tears of all who mourn,

raise up sanctuaries and spaces to gather again.

From age to age, O God, we have seen wonders:

receive our prayers, 

and lavish your love on your children in this hour of need; 

for you hold our souls in life,

and guide our steps on a good path.

Thank you for coming on this journey with me. You are a blessing.

In the name of Christ,
Mary Carter