10/3/2024 Update: Bart has returned safely home and recorded the below video message for you:

Original Post:

As many of you know, Hurricane Helene swept through the mountains of Western North Carolina over the weekend, leaving significant destruction in its path. On Sunday, we announced a fundraiser to support relief efforts.

We’re asking for a suggested donation of $50.00, though any amount is appreciated. Those who donate will be invited to attend a lecture by Bart to be given on Monday October 7th at 7:30pm ET on the topic of: Why Do Disasters Hit? The Bible’s Views. All those who donate and register for the event will be sent a recording of the lecture, so please consider donating even if you’re not able to attend live.

To the many of you who have already donated, we sincerely thank you for your generosity and look forward to seeing you on Monday.

If you missed that email, we’re sharing the details here as well.

******************************

Hi from Jen,

I hope this message finds you safe and well. I know this isn’t the usual day you hear from me, but given the urgent nature of recent events, I wanted to reach out directly with an important opportunity to make a difference.

As many of you know, Hurricane Helene recently swept through the mountains of North Carolina, leaving a path of devastation. Homes, roads, and entire communities have been severely impacted, and the images coming out are devastating. The road to recovery will be long and difficult for many.

For those of you directly impacted, please know that our thoughts are with you.

Bart was among those affected, as he was in the mountains west of Asheville when the storm struck. I’m incredibly relieved to share that Bart is safe—he has food, power, and plenty of books to keep him company. However, he’s currently without internet and unable to leave the area for now.

In light of the overwhelming damage and hardship facing the community, Bart is eager to contribute to the recovery efforts. On Monday, October 7 at 7:30 PM ET, he will be hosting a special webinar, and we invite you to join the event in support of this important cause.

Event Details

Date: Monday, October 7 at 7:30pm ET
Topic: Why Do Disasters Hit? The Bible’s Views
Suggested Donation: $50 (Any amount—large or small—makes a difference.)

Steps to Register & Attend

Step 1 — Make a Donation: Visit the Bart Ehrman Blog Homepage, scroll to the bottom, and make a one-time donation. We suggest $50, but any amount is appreciated. Please end your donation with $.01 (e.g. $50.01) so we can easily identify it.

Step 2 — Register for the Webinar: Click here to register by Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 11:59pm ET. Register with the same first name and last name that you used to make your donation. Late registrations may not be accepted.

Step 3 — Confirmation: After your donation is confirmed, Zoom will send you a link to join the webinar. If you do not receive the email from Zoom within one business day, please send an email to [email protected] with your donation information (method, name, amount) so we can ensure you receive your join link.

Where Your Donation Goes

We are raising funds for the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina’s Emergency and Disaster Response Fund, supporting recovery efforts for communities affected by Hurricane Helene.

We hope you’ll join us for what promises to be not only a thought-provoking discussion but also an opportunity to come together and support those in need. Your participation can make a real difference for the people of Western North Carolina as they begin the long process of recovery.

Thank you for your generosity and support. Stay safe, and we look forward to seeing you at the event!

With gratitude,

Jen Olmos
CEO, The Bart Ehrman Blog and Foundation