Whatcom County Flood Relief
Our friends, family, and neighbors throughout Whatcom County have been devastated by recent flooding. Many have been displaced from their homes, lost their belongings, and are living with uncertainty each day on when things will go back to normal. But this is where we as servants, as the hands and feet of Jesus, enter in and respond. Here are some of the emerging ways you can step in and serve our community in need:
Serve with Samaritans Purse
Samaritans Purse is an international organization focusing on relief efforts to people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine. In this case, they are responding to the needs of Whatcom County and the historic flooding that has wreaked havoc on our community. Volunteers will assist homeowners affected by recent flooding and will help in Jesus' Name with content recovery, debris cleanup, and mudout. There will be opportunities for overnight and day volunteers. No skills are necessary prior to serving. Volunteers will be led and instructed by experienced team leads.
Click the button below to go to Samaritan's Purse website and join their efforts.
Serve with Whatcom Long Term Recovery Group
Started as a response to the major floods in 2021, Whatcom Long Term Recovery Group is the local organization focusing on providing coordination and recovery services to all impacted by disaster in Whatcom County. They are coordinating efforts with Samaritans Purse in the immediate aftermath, but they will be focused on recovery efforts for months to come. Volunteers with them will assist in an ever-changing list of things, including but not limited to muckouts, debris cleanup, and resource organization.
Because needs are constantly changing the best way to stay up to date is by following Whatcom Long Term Recovery Group on Facebook or by going to the community updates section of their website. Both links are provided below.
Item Donations
If you are unable to join the on-site relief efforts, you can support by supplying much-needed items. Whatcom Long Term Recovery Group is currently in urgent need of cleaning supplies to support cleanup efforts:
Cleaning buckets
Scrub brushes
Rubber gloves
Gift cards for purchasing these items
NEW space heaters
NEW box fans
Donations can be dropped off at the Sumas Advent Christian Church (125 Front St, Sumas, WA) or at CTK Bellingham (4173 Meridian St, Bellingham, WA). At this stage of the cleaning phase, they are kindly asking to hold off on donations of other items.
Pray
And on top of all the logistical efforts, the final thing you can do is pray. Pray for mercy for those whose lives are being uprooted and irrevocably changed. Pray for perseverance for the survivors, volunteers, and organizations working to get through to the other side. Pray for the physical, emotional, and spiritual relief to be swift and potent. The worst thing we can do when a disaster impacts our community is nothing. Jesus’ invitation is for us to meet the needs of our brothers and sisters. So prayerfully consider how the Lord is inviting you to step up and press in. Then, go and do it wholeheartedly.
If you have any questions, please email nathanf@ctk.church or give CTK a call at (360) 733-1337
Foster Family Holiday Party Volunteering
Join the team helping put on the Foster Family Holiday Party on Friday, November 21. There are plenty of ways to lend a hand, like setting up decorations, keeping hot food ready, greeting families as they arrive, crafting alongside kids, and much more. This event is a unique opportunity to come alongside and tangibly support foster families at our church. Depending on the role you are put in will affect your start and end time. Ages 8 and up are allowed to help serve witha parent/guardian present. Use the link below to sign up.
CTK'er in Sedro Woolley Paver Pathway Build
Not all our CTKers are local; in fact, we have a portion of our congregation down at CTK La Conner who join us online and are faithful to showing up to the big events. We have a unique opportunity we have is to assist a family from CTK La Conner down in Sedro-Woolley in need of a small paver pathway. One of them is wheelchair-bound and currently has to be dragged through a patch of gravel to make it to their car. Join us on the second Saturday in November! Looking for a team of 6 to make this happen.
Cordata Trick or Treat Set Up & Clean Up Crew
Join CTK Response Teams on Friday, October 31, in transforming CTK Bellingham into a trick-or-treat paradise! Cordata Trick or Treat is our annual opportunity to hand out candy and connect with our community around the Cordata business park. Last year, there were over 1000 people served throughout the evening. To make this happen, we’ll need to assemble a setup team and a teardown team. The setup team entails putting up decorations in the CTK Bellingham commons area, building out the photo booth, and addressing any other needs to make the space vibrant and fun. The teardown team will do it all in reverse.
The set-up shift will be from: 2:30 pm-4 pm.
Teardown shift will be from: 7:30 pm-8:30 pm.
Join us for one or both! Ages 13 and up welcome!
CTK'er Fence Build
It is a beautiful time when we come alongside and serve one another as the body of Christ. On Saturday, October 25, CTK Response Teams has the opportunity to bless a CTKer by assisting them in installing fence posts. We will spend the day cleaning out already dug holes with an auger, placing posts, and filling in with gravel. Ages 14 and up welcome. Must be able to lift 30 pounds: this is a physically rigorous project. More details will come as you sign up. Join us in being a blessing to those in our community!
