Hurricane Helene: In Remembrance & Reflection
Tomorrow, we will mark one year since Hurricane Helene tore through our region. That day when the beautiful Swannanoa Valley we call home suddenly became a valley of tears, a valley of the shadow of death. Each one of us who survived Helene has our own story to tell, and we will each have our own feelings on this day of remembrance. Tomorrow, our staff will be out in the community, attending Helene remembrance events with our neighbors. Whatever your emotions surrounding this milestone, we want to be present with you.
Even as we grieve what Helene took from us, we also want to recall the incredible work of you, our staff, volunteers, and community members. Many of you showed up in truly extraordinary ways for our community, even as you were coping with your own losses. You didn’t just show up with resources for your neighbors - so many of you also showed up with great compassion, courage, generosity, grit, and perseverance. In those dark times after Helene, you helped shine a bright light of help and hope into our valley. To our SVCM staff and volunteers: we were able to be present and do the work we did because of you!
In recent days, we at SVCM have been reflecting on some tough questions. How do we keep this community spirit alive? Is it even possible in these times of division, rancor, and violence? In the days after Helene, we could no longer rely on our smartphones or modern conveniences. We had to turn towards our neighbors just to meet our basic needs. As we suffered alongside each other, we somehow also found moments of connection, laughter, and joy. Now, most of us have our modern conveniences back. But to keep the community spirit going, we must find ways to continue turning towards our neighbors - especially those who are suffering most. This can be difficult and uncomfortable. But as we dare to draw near, we sometimes find unexpected treasures.
As Helene’s scars and suffering visibly persist in our valley, how do we still find hope? At SVCM, we’re finding encouragement in many everyday moments. A neighbor coming in and sharing the good news that he’s found a steady job. A delicious lunch from a local restaurant that survived the storm, where they know us and value our business. A patch of wildflowers blooming by the riverbank. A photograph from September 29, 2024 of Kevin’s daughter Katie, handing out PB&J sandwiches, each with a handwritten note from her saying: “We love you!”
As an ecumenical Christian ministry, we also profess a greater hope that goes beyond this broken world. We look to Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd who promises to walk with us through the valleys of this life, however dark or long they may be. He promises to lead us to a heavenly homeland, where every tear will be wiped away from our eyes and we will have no more sorrow. He is present for you, too - only ever a prayer away.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil;
for thou art with me”
- Psalm 23:4a
