Valle Crucis Methodist Church begins long recovery after Helene [Video]

STUDENTS IN THAT SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND WE ARE STARTING TO LEARN THE EXTENT OF DAMAGE TO A NUMBER OF PLACES OF WORSHIP IN THE MOUNTAINS. WXII 12 S JOSHUA DAVIS IS IN WATAUGA COUNTY, AND THE COMMUNITY OF VALLE CRUCIS, WHERE FAITH LEADERS ARE SHARING MESSAGES OF RESILIENCE. VALLEY CRUCIS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH HAS STOOD HERE FOR OVER A CENTURY, BUT DAMAGE TO THE SANCTUARY IN THE AFTERMATH OF HELENE IS AFFECTING WORSHIP FOR THIS HISTORIC CONGREGATION. WE’RE DISHEARTENED, BUT WE’VE BEEN THROUGH THIS BEFORE. 20 YEARS AGO, A FLOOD DEVASTATED VALLEY CRUCIS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. THE CONGREGATION LEARNED FROM THAT EXPERIENCE AND HEAVILY PREPARED FOR HELENE. WE MOVED ALL THE HYMNALS OUT, ALL THE BIBLES OUT OF THE SANCTUARY. WE MOVED OUR TIDE, ALL OUR TABLES UP, OUT BACK. WE TURNED THE GAS OFF. SO WE KIND OF KNEW IT WAS COMING. AND AFTER THE STORM, WE HAD ABOUT …