Photo: Jocelyn Augustino, FEMA After leaving a wake of death and destruction across the Caribbean, Hurricane Ike appears headed for impact somewhere along the Texas Gulf Coast. High tidal surges, heavy rains and damaging winds are expected. Voluntary and mandatory evacuations have begun in communities stretching from Port Arthur to Corpus Christi.
PDA is in communication with both Mission Presbytery and the New Covenant Presbytery disaster task forces, the genesis of which gained strength at the PDA Disaster Preparedness Workshop hosted by Synod of the Sun in late July.
Dave Johnson, who attended the workshop for New Covenant Presbytery, reports: “General Presbyter Mike Cole led a meeting at the New Covenant Presbytery offices yesterday, Wednesday, September 10, in preparation for Hurricane Ike and initiated calls to all coastal congregations."
The New Covenant Presbytery office closed at noon on Thursday, in preparation for Hurricane Ike; “... we are much better prepared than this time three years ago.” Cole said. "All the coastal churches were contacted, and New Covenant prepares to respond ... Thanks for your prayers.”
On a personal note, Mike finished boarding his home this morning at Clearlake before evacuating.
Mission Presbytery has likewise been connecting and affirming the work of her coastal congregations. Preparedness and evacuations are proceeding “decently and in order.” Don Campbell, interim executive presbyter for Mission Presbytery, has contacted by phone every Mission Presbytery church along the Texas coast north of Corpus Christi for cell phone and emergency contact information and plans to continue using phone, email and the Mission Presbytery Web site to communicate. Don is also in contact with Mike Cole of New Covenant Presbytery to compare joint strategies in preparation for a response to Hurricane Ike.
In San Antonio, First Presbyterian Church is sheltering special medical needs evacuees through a Memorandum of Understanding with BCFS (Baptist Child & Family Services). Rev. John H. Seiders, executive associate pastor at First San Antonio, reports that 12 guests were hosted overnight (Wednesday), and he is making pastoral visits there today. First San Antonio’s congregation is blessed as they show the Living Water through our Lord; this even as the city water was off in the sanctuary (but NOT the shelter building) due to a broken water main yesterday! |
