On September 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene brought devastating loss to communities across our region. In this gallery, we share images from our recent event in the Welcome Center, where Ruth Shirley of Volunteer Avery offered a “Minute for Ministry” reflecting on both the destruction left in the storm’s wake and the ongoing efforts to rebuild.

These highlighted Covenant’s yearlong mission of relief and restoration, celebrating the many volunteers who have joined us in this transformative work. These photos capture the story of faith, compassion, and community —  a testimony to how relief funds and volunteer efforts continue to create lasting impact in the lives of those affected.

Dear Covenant Family,
 
We are saddened to share that our dear friend Bud Smith passed away on August 13, 2025. Bud was the sweet, warm-hearted man whose home we helped restore after Hurricane Helene. As our teams worked on his house, Bud slowly emerged from the shock of the storm’s devastation. He went from quiet and reserved to chatty, sharing stories of his life, his beloved bear hunting adventures, and the memories he had built along the Linville River.
 
Bud served in the U.S. Army, attended NC State, and had a long and distinguished career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He cherished his family—his children, grandchildren, and extended relatives—and enjoyed hunting, farming, and spending time outdoors.
 
We all loved and adored Bud. He had a way of transforming those around him—his humor, generosity, and deep connection to the land left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him. Just the week before he passed, Bud wrote a heartfelt letter of thanks to Covenant, expressing his gratitude for the care and time invested in helping him return home. We are so grateful to have had the chance to know him and to witness his spirit shine.
 
We take comfort in knowing that Bud spent his final months in the home he had lovingly built and lived in for so many years, surrounded by the river, the land, and the memories that meant so much to him.
 
Peace,
Mandy

In the heart of Avery County, octogenarian Bud Smith has lived a life of hard work, perseverance, and deep connection to the land. He has spent over fifty years building and
maintaining his family farm, a place filled with memories of dedication and resilience.

As hurricane Helene swept through the area, Bud watched helplessly as the raging storm carried away his farm equipment and two of his cows and flooded his home with four feet of
water. In the aftermath, he was able to recover most of his farm equipment and save his hunting dogs — a small but meaningful victory in the face of overwhelming loss.

When the Covenant volunteers first met Bud, he was in shock. He sat staring at the wall from a broken exercise bike, unable to process the devastation surrounding him. We saw first-hand the storm’s incredible destruction: ripped-up flooring, torn sheetrock that had been only partially repaired, a completely destroyed bathroom, and mounds of furniture ruined by the flood piled in the living room, dining room and front porch. Bud barely spoke.

The road to recovery would be long, but the team was determined to help Bud rebuild his home and his spirit. Over the next several months the team spent many days working on Bud’s house. We ripped up flooring and replaced it, we reconstructed the bathroom with new floor joists, put in new trim, painted walls, cleared and reorganized furniture.

Over time, as the team repaired his home, something remarkable happened. Bud began to come back to life. He started sharing stories of his past. We laughed at the tale of his family’s pet bear that his grandmother once sold to the circus. We were amazed by the story of a lost dog he managed to find after a two-year separation. He proudly displayed his prized collection of bear art, a testament to his deep love for nature and history. He spoke with love of his grandchildren.

Through the recovery team’s hard work and Bud’s own resilience, his home is nearly restored. But more importantly, his spirit is reignited. The storm took a lot from him, but it
could not take away his will to stay on his land and keep moving forward.

Dear Friends,

When Hurricane Helene caused devastating damage to our neighbors in Western North Carolina, we promised that we would be there for our partners and friends in Avery County. We are living into that promise and want to let you know how Covenant is at work and how you can join in.

Come listen to Kim Barnhardt and Tripp Moore this Sunday, January 5 as they share a Minute for Mission in both the 9:30 and 11:00 services. They’ll give an update of what they’re seeing in the community, how folks are doing, the reality of the damage, what Covenant is up to, and how you can join in. You can also meet us in the Welcome Center after each worship service to ask questions and sign up to volunteer.

Apartment Furnishings Needed
We have wonderful news that four families who lost their homes in the flooding are moving into the restored Lin Cove Apartments in early January. We have the chance to help furnish their new homes! Visit our SignUp Genius to see if you have any of these home furnishings (gently used or new) that you can donate. We plan to deliver these donations on Wednesday, January 15. You may deliver your donations to the Church on Sunday, January 12 or Monday, January 13, or we can schedule a pickup from your location on those dates. Do you have a pickup truck and want to help haul furniture up the mountain? We need you too! Use the SignUp Genius to sign up to donate or help transport. To coordinate dropping off your donations or to schedule a pickup, please email Sally Jackson.

We have many opportunities for you to head to Avery County with teams from Covenant. Find one (or more!) that works with your schedule.

Furniture Donations: Delivered to Avery on January 15
Four families are moving into new apartments and have requested new or gently used furniture items. click here for details.

Monday and Wednesday Workdays: first Monday and third Wednesday of every month
Twice a month a group leaves from the Covenant parking lot to assist with a variety of projects with our Mission Partners in Avery County. click here.

Weekend Work Trip: Friday, January 24 and Saturday, January 25
Sign up for one or both work days. All skill levels welcome! click here.

April Week Long Trip: Tuesday April 1 - Saturday, April 5
We're heading to the North Carolina Mountains to spend a week with our mission partners in Avery County. Come stay at the Gilmer Center for a week immersed in mission work and fellowship. click here.

July/August Week Long Trip: Tuesday, July 29 - Saturday August 2
If April doesn't fit your schedule, don't worry! We're heading back in July for another week with our mission partners in Avery County. Come stay at the Gilmer Center for a week immersed in mission work and fellowship. click here.

We were so saddened to hear that the heavy rains on December 29 washed away nearly a dozen footbridges, many that had recently been built by Bridges for Avery after Hurricane Helene. This is just a reminder of how fragile the community is, and how we must continue to show up to do what we can to help our hurting neighbors. See the whole story here.

Thank you for your love and concern for our brothers and sisters in Avery County. Together, we can make an impact on healing and restoring this beautiful community.

Blessings,
Mandy Rencher

Dear Avery County Supporters,
 
It has been just over two months since Hurricane Helene brought devastating floods to western North Carolina, Our congregation responded swiftly, addressing immediate needs with non-perishable food donations and establishing a Flood Relief Fund to support ongoing recovery efforts in Avery County. We have been working diligently behind the scenes with our nonprofit partners in Avery County and want to share an update on our efforts to maximize the impact of our funds, volunteer efforts, and relationship-building initiatives.
 
It quickly became clear that one of the biggest challenges was managing and coordinating the flow of information about the needs across Avery County and determining who could provide the needed support. Local church and nonprofit staff are understandably overwhelmed by the scale of the work. To address this, we have hired Bobbie Willard as a part-time Recovery Coordinator for Hurricane Relief and Recovery. She will work with nonprofits, coordinate projects, document needs, resources, and outcomes, attend community meetings, and meet weekly with Rev. Kathy Campbell, pastor of Crossnore Presbyterian Church.
 
We are deeply grateful for our friendship with Crossnore Presbyterian Church. Collaborating with them is maximizing the impact of our contributions by partnering with local nonprofits and foundations to amplify what we can achieve. Together we have purchased home goods for eleven low-income apartments damaged by flooding. We also provided funding to Bridges for Avery to install nine culverts for residents unable to access their homes by car. Since these homes are on private roads, FEMA funds would not have covered the repairs. Additionally, we assisted a couple in Banner Elk whose roof was severely damaged by the hurricane and needed to be replaced before winter. Bobbie’s role and our partnership with Crossnore Presbyterian Church will help us to identify specific needs such as these.  
 
With your support, teams from Covenant have been heading up to Avery County for workdays and have completed multiple projects. We cleaned up debris from the park in Newland, installed flooring in a family’s home, and helped with various jobs at RAM (Reaching Avery Ministry). You never know what you might learn when volunteering – ask Ruth Huey to teach you how to use a chop saw! We are extremely grateful to Kim Barnhardt, Covenant member and Avery County resident, who cheerfully hosts and coordinates our workdays. Her deep connections in Avery County and indefatigable spirit are such a gift to our congregation!
 
On Tuesday, November 26, we are attending the Avery County Housing Recovery Effort Resource Meeting which aims to unite local businesses and foundations supporting Avery County’s housing recovery after Hurricane Helene. It’s a call for anyone with resources, services, or volunteer groups to help rebuild homes. Representatives from Chief Cares, Mountain Ways, Samaritan’s Purse, Appalachia Service Project, the Red Cross, FEMA, and local leaders will attend. The goal is to coordinate efforts, identify resources, and address gaps in rebuilding housing for the community.
 
The work is just beginning, and we are committed for the long haul. We will continue sending work teams throughout the winter and are also planning several weekend work trips along with our traditional weeklong mission trips. In addition, we’ve committed to providing furniture for four apartments and will need your help gathering and delivering items to the families. We’ll keep you updated on these opportunities as plans take shape.
 
We strive to be faithful stewards of your generous contributions to the Avery County Relief Fund, guide the church in meaningful volunteer opportunities that foster relationships, and collaborate with the churches and organizations joining us in this vital work. We are especially grateful to Tripp Moore, Phil Koonce, Amanda Abrahm, and Jane Freeman for serving on the Avery County Flood Relief Task Force. If you have questions or wish to offer support, please reach out to Mandy Rencher or any member of the committee.
 
With abundant gratitude,
Mandy Rencher

Join a team of Covenant members for a workday in Avery County. We will be volunteering at RAM (Reaching Avery Ministry) and doing a variety of work projects with our partners. All experience levels are welcome. We will share more details with you ahead of your workday.

Volunteers can meet in the Covenant parking lot at 7:00 am and return to Charlotte in the early evening.

If you have any questions, please email Mandy Rencher.  

We are constantly in touch with our friends and partners in Avery County and they know Covenant is with them for the long haul to offer support, provide hope, and help to rebuild. To date, the Avery County Relief Fund has collected over $200,000, and we have a long list of congregants volunteering to help.

Here are some notes on our partners:

Reaching Avery Ministries (RAM)
Janet Milsaps, executive director, let us know that at this time they have had an influx of donations and are not in need of any items in the short-term. They know that they can count on us to provide donations when things slow down.

Avery County Habitat for Humanity
We have received the good news from ACHFH that their neighborhoods and houses fared well in the storm. No homes were damaged and there is minor tree clean-up needed. As most homeowners are not temporarily working because so many local businesses are closed, monthly mortgages will be an issue. We will stay in close contact to see how we can offer support.

Trosly Farms / The Liars Table
The bridge on their farm collapsed from flooding due to Hurricane Helene, and it was the only access to their property. A team of Covenant members showed up with a pallet of bagged Quikrete and 8-foot lengths of rebar to build a new bridge for our friends Amos and Kaci Nidiffer in Elk Park. If you’ve been to our Alternative Gift Market, you are likely familiar with their homemade products that we sell each year. Amos shared, “Kaci and I and the kids simply want to express our deepest gratitude for all the donations and help from your church. You guys have seen firsthand the devastation left in the aftermath of the flood. Honestly, the past week has been traumatic. Our community has a long road to recovery ahead. Your generosity and help reminds us that there are people rooting for us and I can't express how grateful we are.”

Crossnore Elementary School 
We spoke with Principal Matthew Bentley and he shared that the school was not damaged in the storm and all of the children are accounted for. However, nine of the families lost their homes, and three of the students’ grandparents died in the flooding. Principal Bentley shared that they are working to find temporary housing for the families, but everyone is in shock. The Fire Department and local churches are working together to care for these hurting families. They will eventually need appliances once they are housed, and he will call on Covenant to help with this need. Principal Bentley repeatedly asked for us to give them time – everyone wants to help now, but they need time. They are in crisis, the devastation that their county is facing is overwhelming, and they don’t yet know what they will need.
 
Collection Drives
Based on feedback from our Avery County partners, we are not currently collecting items at Covenant. As we hear of specific food, household supply, and clothing needs, we will share those specific requests.

As always, thank you for your generosity and prayers supporting our Avery friends. Come back to this blog for updates.

What do you get when you combine three Covenant members, one pallet of bagged Quickrete, and eight 8-foot lengths of rebar? A new bridge for our friends Amos and Kaci Nidiffer from Trosly Farms and The Liar’s Table in Elk Park. The bridge on their farm collapsed from flooding due to Hurricane Helene, and it was their only access to their property. This project was made possible through your generous donations to the the Avery County Relief Fund and our dedicated Covenant volunteers.

On Friday, October 4, Covenant volunteers drove our first round of supplies to Reaching Avery Ministry (RAM), the food bank serving our friends in Avery County. Our support is much needed as RAM's regular food bank in Asheville was flooded, and the roads in Avery County are badly damaged. Big thanks to our donors, drivers, and organizers. Covenant is committed to helping Avery County recover and rebuild after this devastating loss. Prayers and blessings to all! 

A message from Senior Minister Bob Henderson:

Nearly two decades ago, our congregation began an intentional effort to serve several mountain communities in North Carolina which are special to many of our members. Our work has focused on Avery County, already one of North Carolina’s poorest, and now cut off from nearly everything due to flooded roads and collapsed bridges in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Currently, large swaths of Avery County have no power, cell service, water, or sewer.
Through our work, we’ve forged strategic partnerships with Avery County Habitat for Humanity, Reaching Avery Ministry (RAM), and Crossnore Elementary School. We regularly send mission teams and offer financial support to these and other ministries in that region.  
We are now working with all three to send emergency supplies (safe drinking water, personal hygiene products, food, clothing) specifically targeted toward their most affected community members. We have re-affirmed our commitment to these partners while our Mission and Outreach Ministry charts the best way forward, working together toward full recovery.
If you would like to offer focused help to address immediate needs, our first recommendation is to contribute to the “Mission Donations — Avery Flood Relief” at Covenant by clicking on this donation link.
Finally, we urge you to pray for these friends, as well as others, as we affirm the bonds that hold us together.