This has been an extraordinary year for disasters. In the first nine months of 2008, PDA has responded to 35 disasters in 40 presbyteries here at home, and with our partners to another 12 disasters worldwide. In the wake of all this, the need is greater than ever – and we are pulling out all the stops in our efforts to respond. We are grateful for your role in helping your members respond, and ask for whatever help you can provide in lifting up this appeal within your congregation.
As with every disaster, Presbyterians are on the ground in Texas, Louisiana, Haiti, and other places impacted by Ike – distributing food, clearing debris, providing shelter, meeting human needs wherever they are found. Throughout the United States, Presbyterians are eager to help. Our hearts respond to the scenes of lives uprooted, and we long to lend a hand – either volunteering with hands-on work, or providing financial support to speed the recovery efforts.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has been at work on your behalf, coordinating our church-wide response, quickly assessing the damage and channeling aid to the places where it is needed most. Four PDA response teams are already at work in Galveston, Beaumont, Orange, Port Natchez, Lake Charles, Houston, San Antonio and elsewhere. Our mission personnel in Haiti are coordinating response there, as are our partners in Cuba. PDA is a way your congregation can respond with immediate impact.
A week and a half after the storm, damage assessments are still coming in. Floodwaters are still receding, and power is still being restored. For many, the extent of the devastation will not be fully known for some time to come. Church structures have seen moderate damage – but the communities they serve are devastated.
PDA and the General Assembly Council will be sending out regular updates about the response to these disasters over the coming weeks. We are issuing a special appeal to support the response. Resources are available on the PDA Web site [www.pcusa.org/pda ] to help your congregation respond. These include prayers, bulletin inserts, and other tools.
A video minute for mission is in the works, which should be available next week. The Presbyterian News Service will continue to report on the many
ways Presbyterians are offering a visible witness of Christ’s love and compassion as they step into the breach and help restore the lives of those hit hardest.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions, concerns, or ideas of additional ways we can get the word out.
Â
Faithfully in Christ,
Â
Sara Pottschmidt Lisherness
Director of Compassion, Peace and Justice Ministry
General Assembly Council
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
