Disaster Relief Aid - 2019

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     Hurricane Dorian - September 2019

 

 

 

 

Hurricane Dorian

September 5, 2019

Written by Hans Holznagel

     "UCC Disaster Ministries has been in communication through our international networks monitoring the aftermath, needs and response to Dorian in the Bahamas," said Disaster Ministries Executive Zach Wolgemuth.  "We will continue to seek ways that we can fill gaps and establish appropriate partnerships to aid in the long-term recovery efforts....  We call on the church to be in prayer, to be prepared, to not forget the communities still recovering from disasters past and to give appropriately."

     As with all disasters, the UCC response to this hurricane will focus not on initial emergency response but rather on preparedness and the long-term aftermath.  "Long-term recovery is the most protracted response and the costliest," Wolgemuth said.

     Churches and individuals wanting to help hurricane victims should be aware that "financial donations are most effective, efficient and beneficial to survivors," he said.

 

How to Send Aid through the UCC

     One hundred percent of your donations for hurricane relief aid are sent by St. Paul's UCC to that relief aid cause.

     To provide aid, simply make your gift payable to “St. Paul’s UCC” marked “Dorian,” which you can mail to the church or place in the offering plate.  (For your convenience, you can just write "Dorian" on one of the pew envelopes, and place that in the offering plate to make for your gift).  The church's mailing address is: St. Paul's UCC; 301 West Penn Ave; Robesonia, PA 19551.

or

       You can make a secure online donation by clicking on this green online giving link, use either of the “Special Mission” fields, and type “Dorian" in the  Comments Box.

 

In addition, churches can:

• Pray for people affected by the storm and those still in harm's way.  A prayer by the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, associate general minister for Wider Church Ministries and Operations, appears at the end of this article.
• Volunteer to help families and communities recover.  Information and opportunities appear here.
• Build relief kits using UCC Disaster Ministries Matching Grants.
• Use this resource page to prepare themselves to respond should a disaster hit their own community.

Prayer

     Thompson composed this prayer: "Holy God, you are an ever-present help in times of trouble. We put our hope in you on behalf of those whose lives have been affected by tragedy in the Bahamas. We pray their peace and comfort, asking for help for those who have suffered loss. We pray calm for those who now wait anxiously. Grant your peace, O God. Amen."