What PDA is Doing and Where to Send Contributions

Today's Update from GP Rev. Mike Cole:

I know that some of you receiving these updates are wondering why the Presbytery or PDA isn’t coordinating immediate work sites and projects. The most direct answer is that other faith and volunteer groups are already equipped to organize for short-term immediate relief. We do not need to reinvent the wheel, when others specialize in this part of the recovery effort.

Presbyterians have stepped up to the challenge of long-term recovery work, which takes time to organize for a sustained effort over a period of months or years. Many of the groups and organizations who specialize in the short-term relief work will be gone within a few weeks. That’s when the Presbytery and PDA efforts will go into effect. Thus, for now, the best way for individuals or groups to serve is through SETIO in the Golden Triangle, Volunteer Houston or UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief). After all, the name under which we all serve is Jesus Christ, not just Presbyterian.

The Ike Recovery Team will be working on ways to establish partnerships between churches in need with churches with resources. Your church does not have to wait to establish a partnership – please feel free to initiate this on your own. It would help us to know what is happening, so give Tricia a call.

Contributions for Hurricane Ike Recovery may be sent to:

The Presbytery of New Covenant

1110 Lovett Blvd.

Houston, TX 77006

Memo line: Ike Recovery Fund

Contributions for the 2008 hurricane recovery efforts may be sent to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance: www.pcusa.org/pda

By the way, I plan on taking tomorrow and Saturday off as much as possible so the next update will come out on Sunday or Monday.

Just a reminder: Sunday, October 5 at 3 pm will be the time for our presbytery to gather in two locations: Trinity Presbyterian Church, Port Neches and First Presbyterian Church in Dickinson. We will celebrate communion, praise God, give thanks, prayer for all our churches by name and enjoy the fellowship of the presbytery family. Please make plans to attend and bring as many in your congregation as possible. We’d love to overflow both sites with praising Presbyterians!

Tricia Pogue, our Presbytery Volunteer Coordinator for Ike Recovery has a new direct phone line in her office at CLPC – (281) 957-5859. Tricia’s email is: pda@clpc.org. Please contact Tricia for assistance, if you want to volunteer or if your church would be wiling to host work groups.

Contact Information for the Army Corp of Engineers Blue Roof Program – (832) 851-3920. Blue rood tarps are available for pick up to protect homes with roof damage. You may also request someone to deliver and install the tarp.

Everyone should be aware that there are some fraud activities in our area. FEMA does not go door to door and they do not ask anyone to fill out forms. All FEMA representatives have photo ID’s. If there is any doubt about a person at your door, ask them to return later. Then report the incident to FEMA.

FEMA urges those in need to hold on to finances as long as possible until FEMA can coordinate assistance. The needs are enormous and they are working as fast as they can.

Church and Congregation Updates:

Livingston, FPC – The clerk/church secretary reports that the church has major damage to the sanctuary. The upstairs ceiling ended up in the parlor, narthex and nursery. There was water damage to the activity building also. Both buildings are unusable for the time being but we are well on the way with removal of moldy stuff. All activities and worship will be in the fellowship building. We thank God for this new building even more than before. We were able to have one service last week – more of a prayer and praise. Hopefully this week we will have both services.