Western North Carolina Mission Trip

Updated: Sep 6

Western North Carolina Mission Trip

October 26 – November 1, 2025

Hosted by the Shenandoah Presbytery

The Committee on Mission and Outreach (CMO) invites you to serve in the Helene Recovery effort in Western North Carolina during the week of October 26 through November 1. The Shenandoah Presbytery Mission Team (up to 20 people) will stay at Canton Presbyterian Church in Canton, North Carolina. (see attached information from Canton PC)

Cost: The cost is food (suggested $100) and transportation. The Committee on the Mission and Outreach approved covering the $120 per mission participant from the Domestic mission funds.

Accommodations: Groups arrive on Sunday afternoon and are welcomed by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) staff with a tour of the facility, which includes a kitchen and two showers. Sleeping arrangements include 40 mattresses that can be doubled if needed. The building has multiple rooms, providing flexibility and comfort for sleeping arrangements. Canton Presbyterian Church can host up to 20 workers, ages 16 and older.

Note: Anyone under 18 must be accompanied overnight by their own parent or legal guardian. While this is the official policy, we have found the local leadership to be understanding and flexible in certain circumstances.

Schedule and Work: The orientation for the work projects will be Monday morning at 8.30 a.m. in the Reeves Chapel United Methodist Church, in Enka/West Asheville – about 20 minutes away.

Reeves Chapel United Methodist Church

225 Sardis Road

Asheville, NC 28806

Work will continue throughout the week, with most groups departing on Saturday, though early departures can be accommodated.

The construction supervisor will contact the team coordinator one week prior to the trip with the anticipated scope of work. Past assignments have included drywall installation, gutting homes, painting, and deck repair. As winter approaches, teams may assist with preparing campers for cold weather, as many residents in Canton continue to live in temporary housing nearly a year after the flood.

Support Roles: We are also seeking one or two individuals who would like to serve by purchasing groceries and preparing evening meals for the team throughout the week. This behind-the-scenes role is essential to the team’s success and greatly appreciated.

Next Steps: A registration email with forms will be sent approximately one month before the trip by Anne Waple, Disaster Recovery Coordinator for the Presbytery of Western North Carolina. If you are interested in serving, learning more, or signing up, please contact:

Rev. April H. Cranford

Email: acranford@wp-church.com

Phone: (540) 414-4427

CMO co-chairs, Dave Thalmon and April Cranford, look forward to serving with you on this meaningful mission trip. Please share this opportunity with your church and mission team.

Packing List

Work clothes (layers for both cool and warm weather)
Closed-toe shoes
Work gloves
Twin sheets, pillow, towel, and toiletries
Please do bring any hand tools or battery-powered tools you have. Though PDA has some, it is always helpful to have more hammers, pry bars, drills etc. The larger power tools (e.g. miter saws etc), they will have onsite if needed.
A flexible and humble spirit
A servant’s heart