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Friends United Meeting invites our global fellowship to continue holding our Caribbean Quaker communities in prayer following the impact of Hurricane Melissa, which swept through the region last week. Jamaica’s western coast, from the Black River area across to Montego Bay, was hit especially hard, and images of the destruction have captured attention around the world.
We are deeply grateful that, as far as we know, no Friends in Jamaica have lost their lives. Many Quaker communities are located outside the most heavily damaged zone, and we give thanks for that protection. Even so, several of our Meetings and families are walking through very difficult days. They need our care and prayer as they begin the long process of recovery.
On Black Mountain, Cascade Friends Meeting and its members have been profoundly affected, with landslides and storm damage limiting access and disrupting daily life. Our Friend Lydia Grapine, who farms coffee on the mountain, has experienced significant damage to her property, and the Cascade meetinghouse has also been harmed. The community has endured extended power outages, unreliable internet and phone service, and challenges reaching essential services due to landslides and bl
FUM’s Quaker communities are located in the general path of the storm but spared the full wrath of Melissa because they are on the northern side of the island.