Wesleyans along the east coast are being strongly affected in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Recovery efforts from the storm will extend for weeks and possibly months. To this end, The Wesleyan Church has turned to interim disaster relief coordinators on the scene, and also partnering with relief efforts of the Church of the Nazarene.

Some Wesleyans in Jersey City, N.J. are still without power after Hurricane Sandy battered the shoreline. First Wesleyan Church pastor, Rev. Donavon Shoemaker, speaks from experience. He reports there is still no electricity, both at his home and First Wesleyan Church.

Many seniors within the congregation have been evacuated from their apartment homes and are temporarily staying with families within the congregation. This, despite the fact that some of those families are still without power.

In general, Rev. Shoemaker said his church and its members have fared well. The biggest problem is the cold weather combined with no electricity.

“Our people are just cold and uncomfortable,” said Rev. Shoemaker.

Several Wesleyan churches have already donated food and water, blankets, and generators to those in need in the Jersey City church area.

The New Life Wesleyan Church from La Plata, Md., delivered a tractor-trailer full of blankets, water, and food to New Hope Family Worship Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., pastored by Rev. Anthony Graham.  This could be repeated many times over in the near future, and be greatly needed and well utilized.

Scott and Elizabeth Drury coordinated with Pastor Ed Torres of Faith Chapel Wesleyan Church of Clinton, N.J., to bring generators, gas, water, and blankets to First Wesleyan Church of Jersey City with gifts from four other churches from across the country: United Wesleyan of Alexandria, Va.; Neighborhood Christian Fellowship of Covina, Calif.; Trinity Wesleyan Church of Central, S.C.; and San Dimas Wesleyan of San Dimas, Calif. Faith Chapel had no power at the church or parsonage, and many church members were without too. But they did not keep any supplies themselves and, instead, volunteered to deliver them to those in need in Jersey City.

Forestville Wesleyan Church in the Western New York District has set up a tractor trailer to collect non-perishable food items, bottled water, flashlights, batteries, and blankets. These will be delivered to a staging area in New York City for the relief efforts.

Christ Wesleyan Church in Milton, Penn., has filled four horse trailers with similar items to be delivered today to a staging location in the Bronx where Wesleyans and Nazarenes are cooperating.

Severe gasoline shortages are being reported in New York City, Long Island, and across New Jersey. Waiting times at the pumps are hours at those stations which are open.

Pastor Sherlock Delph from Jamaica-Queens Wesleyan Church in Laurelton, N.Y., reports that many of his congregants have no power and need food, water, and blankets.

At the other end of Hurricane Sandy’s extreme aftermath is Crisfield Evangelical Wesleyan Church in Crisfield, Md. In this church of 100 people, five families were completely displaced when Sandy flooded and destroyed their homes entirely. In this fishing community, the church itself was preserved although the fellowship hall was flooded. Some of these families do not have flood insurance, so they will need significant assistance to rebuild or restore their homes.

Rev. Ken Deusa, senior pastor at nearby Laurel Wesleyan Church in Laurel, Del., reports there is already interest from other churches in providing support to and serving these families.

To give to the Wesleyan Emergency Relief Fund, click here. 100% of all funds will go directly to the relief efforts on the scene.