How to answer the call to care
5 good things in a week of many not-good things—plus ways to help after Helene
Here are five good things for you, in a week of many not-good things, to put it mildly. May you find pockets of peace where you need them most, and may we each answer the call to care for those in dire need, wherever and however we can.
Wait, maybe I have six good things for you because CHECK THIS OUT:
Jillian Green’s Blue Madonna graces the cover of October’s Give Us This Day, and it is a prayer in color.
Myriad reasons why parents are exhausted and more stressed than ever according to the U.S. Surgeon General, but this essay from Lydia Sohn points to one surprising antidote in the Benedictine wisdom of ora et labora, work and prayer: The Household Chores You’re Avoiding Are Key to a Deeper Life.
An intriguing read that turned into a poignant reflection on friendship and calling: This photo on the National Mall captivated the country decades ago. The real story behind it remained a mystery — until now.
My wise friend
is leading a grief retreat in MN at the end of October, and I highly recommend her wise, embodied work: The Nature of Grief.Currently reading John Green’s The Anthropocene Reviewed, and it is snort-out-loud funny. Five stars.
After the widespread devastation from Hurricane Helene, I asked on Instagram for locals to share places for the rest of us to send support. Here are responses I received; most are not familiar to me, so do your research and help however you can, not only in the immediate aftermath but in the weeks/months/years to come:
Catholic Charities USA has a dedicated Helene disaster relief campaign, as does Catholic Charities of Charlotte, NC
Samaritan’s Purse: headquarters in Boone, NC; sending aid to NC, GA, TN, & FL
Operation AirDrop: currently collecting supplies to drop off by air
BeLoved Asheville and NC Arts Disaster Relief Fund: focused on artists as the entire River Arts District in Asheville was flooded, as were many small town artists
World Central Kitchen: on the ground now providing meals in NC, GA, TN, & FL
Wine to Water and Water Mission: both providing water and filters
Long list from Blue Ridge Public Radio
List of local organizations from Asheville pastor (and real-life lovely human with whom I once had dinner)
at the bottom of her latest post
From
: I'd also add for folks to not forget to pray/donate to small towns as more info becomes available. Asheville was hit really bad, and many, many small mountain towns in NC were decimated: Swannanoa, Black Mountain, Lake Lure, Chimney Rock, Montreat, Weaverville. Some of these towns are gone.If you know other places that could use our prayers and support, please share them:
This post contains affiliate links for books, but please support your local indie bookstore which all authors secretly dream of owning.