October 2019 | View this email in your browser

SEASON RECAP

Greetings,

This hurricane season largely spared most of the US from major damage, but Tropical Storm Imelda caused greater flooding in some locations than Hurricane Harvey had two years before. Please continue to pray for communities in Texas as well as in the Bahamas. With several storm occurrences this season, now is a good time to acknowledge what has happened and to glean from it. What have you learned about disaster preparedness and response in your own diocese or community this season? Share your stories with us at usdisaster@episcopalrelief.org.

In peace,
Katie, Lura, Tamara and Courtney

RESPONSE TO IMELDA

The Episcopal Diocese of Texas is responding to Tropical Storm Imelda, focusing on vulnerable groups such as individuals with lower income and those with disabilities. During home damage assessments, it was discovered that many homes were unstable before the flooding, but homeowners don't have other options due to a lack of available safe and secure affordable housing. The diocese is offering help and referrals. Pictured here, a woman receives pillows from church volunteers and Ubi Caritas community health workers who went house to house to deliver mattresses and bedding, offer comfort and listen to people’s stories.

SANDALWOOD FIRE RESPONSE

In a recent Facebook post, the Very Rev. Canon Bill Dunn highlighted a joint disaster response by St. Stephen’s and St. Alban’s Episcopal Churches in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. Dunn wrote, “Thanks to a grant from Episcopal Relief & Development, and money raised through craft sales by Nancy Watterson and special offerings from St. Stephen’s parishioners, CC Schroeder and I took gift cards to persons affected by the Sandalwood fire in Calimesa.” Dunn is vicar of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church and the Rev. Cecilia “CC” Schroeder is priest-in-charge at St. Alban’s.

CELEBRATING ONE OF OUR PARTNERS

The Rev. Jose Rodriguez is the rector of Iglesia Episcopal Jesús de Nazaret in Orlando, FL. We had a chance to sit down with him and discuss how under his leadership, the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida has been able to meet the needs of its displaced neighbors by playing to their strengths. Pictured here, Rev. Jose and volunteers, interns and other program affiliates at the United Way Change Maker Award ceremony, during which he was honored for his leadership in disaster recovery work.

READ THE INTERVIEW WITH REV. JOSE

PARTNERS PRESENT AT COLORADO CONVENTION

During The Episcopal Church in Colorado's diocesan convention this month, Partner in Response and Resilience, the Rev. Canon Carl Andrews, updated convention participants on the Decker and Middle Mamm fires. Canon Andrews, Disaster Coordinator Hill Grimmett and Episcopal Relief & Development staff member Lura Steele also gave a workshop on identifying congregational gifts and needs to respond to disasters.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR WORK

The US Disaster Program is supporting various emergency and long-term recovery programs in dioceses across The Episcopal Church. Learn more today!

LEARN MORE

READY TO SERVE

Join communities in the recovery phase, sign up for ready to serve! Contact volunteer@episcopalrelief.org for assistance.

CONTACT US

Katie Mears
kmears@episcopalrelief.org

Lura Steele
lsteele@episcopalrelief.org

Tamara Plummer
tplummer@episcopalrelief.org

Courtney Moore
cmoore@episcopalrelief.org