We ask for your continued prayer support for churches and families who are recovering from spring storms and flooding in Iowa.
We continue to assist those affected by the flooding. To date, we have received $14,675 from the wider American Baptist family to use for flood relief.
The Disaster Relief trailer has been moved to Cedar Rapids and crews are beginning cleanup. Volunteers (both men
and women) are urgently needed to assist in this clean up effort, which is currently scheduled to last until Saturday, July 19th. If
you can volunteer, please call Royce Jones at 515-249-6395 and let him
know your anticipated time of arrival. There will be cots available,
but volunteers need to bring pillows and light bedding, plus personal
items. You should bring boots and rubber gloves, if possible. Many thanks to those who have already given of their time and money.
We continue to assist those affected by the flooding. To date, we have received $14,675 from the wider American Baptist family to use for flood relief.
WAYS TO HELP
We were very encouraged when we received a phone call
from the American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts. "The Way Up,"
spon
sored by three ABC churches in Boston, is a program for young
people who have been referred through the court system. The national
media coverage of the flooding moved them greatly and they were
determined to respond. They organized themselves quickly to bake
cookies and sold them last Sunday at the three sponsoring churches,
raising $250 which they are sending to our region for flood relief.
sored by three ABC churches in Boston, is a program for young
people who have been referred through the court system. The national
media coverage of the flooding moved them greatly and they were
determined to respond. They organized themselves quickly to bake
cookies and sold them last Sunday at the three sponsoring churches,
raising $250 which they are sending to our region for flood relief. Many
have called or e-mailed, asking how they can help those in our region
who have been affected by recent storms and floods. Please read below
for a few ideas on ways you or your church can respond.
So far, we have heard of needs for assistance from churches in
these cities: Cedar Rapids, Charles City, Des Moines, Lamont,
Plainfield, Shellsburg, and Waterloo. At this point, it does not seem as though the bad weather in Minnesota has affected our congregations. Our office is attempting to stay
up-to-date with news but with so much happening, we are aware that we
might miss a real need because we are not aware of it until it is too
late. Please let us know if there are ways that our wider American
Baptist family can be of assistance.
We are also part of a wider ecumenical effort in Iowa to deal with the effects of the widespread flooding. Information about this effort and what the Christian community is doing can be found here. The State of Iowa website dealing with the floods can be found here.
We are also part of a wider ecumenical effort in Iowa to deal with the effects of the widespread flooding. Information about this effort and what the Christian community is doing can be found here. The State of Iowa website dealing with the floods can be found here.
We urge you to inform us regarding damage to your community
especially as it effects church property and homes of
those related to your congregation. E-mail us (Marshall, exec@mid-abc.org or Soozi, soozi@mid-abc.org) or call the region office (515-278-1411) and leave a voice message if we are not in.
Here are a few ways that you can help, in addition to being in prayer:
Here are a few ways that you can help, in addition to being in prayer:
| AB Men's Disaster Relief Trailer | |
Rev.
Royce Jones serves on the Iowa Disaster Human Resources
Council and participates in daily briefing sessions. At this time, the
American Baptist Men's Disaster Relief Trailer, which specializes
in flood cleanup, has been placed on "standby". According to
Jones, the ABMen will likely be called into service once the worst of
the flooding has subsided.
Contact Royce Jones (e-mail disasterjones@aol.com) to be placed on the contact list and to indicate your availability. Men and women are welcome to assist. | |
| Give to One Great Hour of Sharing | |
 Most churches are currently receiving the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering. Gifts may be designated for "2008 Flood Relief for (state)."
Remember, however, that undesignated gifts provide funds for ongoing
development work and make funds available for immediate grants in the
event of natural disasters. Individuals and churches can expedite their gifts by giving via the secure online server (click here). | |
| Emergency Cleanup Kits | |
Many,
many Emergency Cleanup Kits will be needed in the very near future.
Directions for assembling kits can be found on the Church World Service
website (click here).
Kits
may be shipped as per instructions on the web site or make arrangements
to deliver the kits directly to a community near you. Your local Red
Cross agency may also offer suggestions on locations where kits may be
needed. | |