As our churches gathered in worship around Middle Tennessee yesterday, we know that all of you were lifting prayers for mercy and support for all the persons, families, and businesses suffering damage from the December 9 tornadoes. We have two presbytery churches in each of the communities of Clarksville, Springfield, Hendersonville, and Gallatin. As I’ve reached out to all of these pastors, the hardest hit family is in Springfield, where a member family had their jewelry store leveled, and one of its family members suffered cuts and bruises. Electrical power was out for many homes and communities; New Creation, in Hendersonville, canceled worship yesterday due to the power outage. Many of our Presbyterian members are actively serving as first responders, medical personnel, insurance agents, or community volunteers in the aftermath. James Kirk, from the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance program called me early on Sunday morning, offering valuable resources and support, at the ready, as our area needs become more clear.

We will continue to keep you all updated and are grateful for your prayers and offers of support. We are thankful that the storms destruction was not any worse, though the losses of six lives, the multiple personal injuries, and the damage to property are substantial. May God’s healing come to the wounded, hope be restored to the devastated, kindness flow to the overwhelmed, and love reach the broken-hearted.

Ray

From Rev. Greg Glover, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Clarksville
We are accepting donations marked "Tornado" for direct assistance with hotel rooms and food.  (Online or by check.). Other partners are coordinating clothing, etc.  We will have a better picture of the size and scope of the need after today.  We are also assessing intermediate term housing needs, hoping to have families out of hotels and into homes before Christmas.  

A coordinated volunteer cleanup effort in areas where extensive Clarksville tornado damage has occurred begins Monday morning, December 11, at 8 a.m. Volunteers are asked to gather beginning at that time, at Mosaic Church, 1020 Garrettsburg Road. In the interests of adequate space at the church, volunteers are asked to carpool to the church if possible.

From the church, volunteers will be transported by CMCSS buses to a designated cleanup location. The buses will run on, or about, a two-hour rotation schedule. All volunteers will be asked to sign waivers for themselves and any minors that might be brought with them.

Volunteers are asked to come dressed appropriately for working in potentially hazardous areas where there is extensive damage and debris. Work gloves and appropriate protective footwear are required. Search and rescue efforts are complete. The recovery phase is underway. We appreciate your willingness to volunteer as we help our neighbors through this traumatic and historic event.

For more information about volunteering, call 931-245-2988.