The heavily damaged Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Dresden Tenn., shown in Google street view and following the December 10-11 tornado, is only one of many CPC churches affected by the quad-state tornado outbreak. (photo credit: Ministry Council of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.)

While the deadly quad-state tornado outbreak on December 10-11 did not have a major impact on EPC congregations, the effect on churches of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church (CPC) denomination was severe.

“I spoke with the CPC Stated Clerk, Michael Sharpe, on Saturday,” said Dean Weaver, EPC Stated Clerk. “They have had numerous small congregations severely affected by the storms—some completely destroyed. Some members were killed, and many lost all of their possessions.”

Weaver noted that the EPC has received many inquiries “about whether or not we are doing anything to aid in the relief work that is so overwhelming” in the aftermath of the storms. In response, the EPC National Leadership Team has approved distribution of donations to the Emergency Relief Fund to the CPC.

“One of our pastors (and former Director of World Outreach), George Carey in Kingman, Ariz., saw the photo on the EPConnection article with the damaged CPC church in the background,” Weaver said. “He emailed me and asked if we could do anything to help. He has a heart for the CPC, since that is the denomination in which he was saved and called to ministry. I am thrilled that the NLT has approved soliciting emergency relief funds to help our brothers and sisters in need.”

Secure online donations to help CPC churches in the affected area with identified needs can be made at www.epc.org/donate/emergencyrelief, which also includes instructions for donating by check and text-to-give.

The Cumberland Presbyterian Church formed during the Great Revival of 1800. The denomination has more than 650 churches around the world, with strong concentrations in Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Missouri, southern Illinois, Arkansas, and Texas. The CPC Office of the General Assembly is located in suburban Memphis, Tenn.