Disaster Response Archives

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance suspends volunteer trips

Posted March 16th, 2020

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has made the difficult decision to call for the closure of volunteer host sites and cancel volunteer trips through June.

Coronavirus resources have been gathered on one PC(USA) webpage

Posted March 12th, 2020

Resources that mid councils, churches and individuals can use for worship, congregational care and other areas of ministry as the coronavirus continues to spread across the United States have been gathered in one spot, at pcusa.org/coronavirus.

It takes a village

Posted March 12th, 2020

Last week I mentioned that Steve Wiebe, executive pastor of Pasadena Presbyterian Church (PPC) and I were on our way to Adelanto Detention Center to be at a court hearing for our Cameroonian friend Bertrand. We met Bertrand in November 2019, during a group visit coordinated by our Immigrant Accompaniment Organizer, Kristi van Nostran.

Fire devastates New York church’s fellowship hall, but spares historic sanctuary

Posted March 6th, 2020

The fellowship hall at Calvary Presbyterian Church in Newburgh, New York is the heart of the community ministry of the 162-year old congregation just over an hour north of New York City.

Coronavirus: Faith not fear

Posted March 3rd, 2020

Many people worldwide have questions about Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), first detected in China and now in more than 60 locations internationally, including the United States.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance reaching out after destructive storms in Tennessee

Posted March 3rd, 2020

A tornado tore through parts of Nashville and nearby counties, resulting in extensive damage and loss of life, numerous collapsed buildings and broken trees. In addition to reaching out to the Presbytery of Middle Tennessee to offer help doing a damage assessment, PDA sent out a donation appeal on social media as well as a request for prayer for the affected communities.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance releases pandemic preparedness guide

Posted February 28th, 2020

Free downloadable guide gives advice to congregations and individuals about keeping safe during the coronavirus outbreak.

When global response requires global resources

Posted February 28th, 2020

The meeting was done, and the Rev. Edwin González-Castillo thought he was leaving with his collaborators from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA).

Presbyterian generosity helps people left behind by hurricane recovery efforts in Puerto Rico

Posted February 27th, 2020

Eighteen months after Hurricane Maria swept across Puerto Rico, Mimita Nieves was still living without electricity.

Foreigners and strangers or members of God’s household?

Posted February 27th, 2020

Whatever your opinion of U.S. immigration policies, many people — such as those attempting to enter through our southern border — are living in precarious, life-threatening situations. In response, people of faith continued to provide life-saving services that uplift the human soul and reaffirm individuals’ dignity.