(PNS) Last week’s heavy rain in south Texas has brought back memories of Hurricane Harvey for some residents along the Gulf Coast. As much as 15 inches of rain fell in some communities, causing flash flooding and forcing hundreds to evacuate their homes. Texas authorities have declared a state of emergency for six counties and federal disaster relief has been requested for Hidalgo and Cameron Counties. It’s been a busy week for Mission Presbytery in San Antonio, fielding calls and visiting churches and communities that received a bulk of the water. Ed Sackett, the presbytery’s disaster coordinator has been on the road since Monday assessing damage. “Damage isn’t as bad in other areas as it could have been. Over the last several days, I’ve visited Corpus Christi, Beeville, Taft, Rockport and Port Aransas. The rain didn’t have a major impact other than localized flooding,” said Sackett.” I think some of the damage in Beeville probably occurred during Hurricane Harvey. The rains … [Read more...]

Faith leaders are arrested outside of the U.S. Supreme Court building in June 2018 as part of the Poor People’s Campaign. (Photo by Jessie Palatucci) (PNS) — The director of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Public Witness recently found out what life is like behind bars. The Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, along with other clergy, was arrested earlier this month while praying outside the U.S. Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C. The nine were taking part in the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for a Moral Revival when they were taken into custody during the peaceful demonstration. Hawkins shared his experiences during the 223rd General Assembly (2018) and described the time as a night of “trepidation and enlightenment.” “It was fearful, intimidating, desperate and sparse. We were treated no better than animals are treated for euthanasia,” Hawkins said. “A person of Jewish faith was offered pork. I became greatly aware and much more sensitive to what incarcerated … [Read more...]

Six inches of rain fell in Houghton, causing major damage to streets and roads. (Photo by Suzanne Baroody) PNS — Residents of Houghton, Michigan are still cleaning up from the impact of heavy rains and floods over a week ago. The National Weather Service reports more than six inches of rain fell June 16-17, sending rivers and streams over their banks and causing significant damage to several main roads in and out of town. “Most of our roads were damaged at some level. I live about 10 miles out of town and there were three or four major washouts where asphalt and soil beneath the road completely gave way,” said the Rev. Peter Norland, pastor of the Portage Lake United Presbyterian Church. “There were some small landslides sending rocks all over the road. The landslide resulted in the death of a 12-year-old boy.” Norland says a few church members were displaced by the flooding. “Other people saw flooding in their basements,” he said. “One of our members lives in an old … [Read more...]