disaster Archives

California church start up finds purpose in giving back

Posted June 16th, 2016

A year and a half ago, ten people gathered in Jeanie Shaw’s living room in Sacramento, California to worship. Before long, they moved to her backyard. This past Easter, more than 100 people gathered at Eventide Community to celebrate the resurrection of Christ and three adult baptisms.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) grieves over yesterday’s mass shootings in Florida

Posted June 13th, 2016

As Orlando continues to reel from Sunday’s mass shootings, Presbyterian Church leaders are lifting families, the LGBTQ community and the entire community in prayer. As many as 49 people were killed and dozens wounded in the early morning hours yesterday at the Pulse Orlando Club. The lone suspect, identified as Omar Mateen, 29, of Fort Pierce, Florida, was killed in an exchange of gunfire with police. Authorities are still investigating the motive behind the killings, trying to determine if it was an act of terrorism.

Texas struggles to recover from constant flooding

Posted June 8th, 2016

It has been a year of endless flooding for parts of Texas, keeping volunteers from making headway in clean up efforts. The last three months have been described by state and federal authorities as the wettest in Texas history.

‘Keeping Faith’ May/June video newsletter published

Posted June 1st, 2016

The third installment of “Keeping Faith” the video newsletter from Tony De La Rosa, interim executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) was published earlier today.

Survivors still being found in Ecuador following recent earthquake

Posted April 29th, 2016

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is working in collaboration with its partner, the ACT (Action by Churches Together) Alliance to respond in the aftermath. As many as 6,000 families in Ecuador will receive food, water, sanitation and hygiene as well as community-based psychosocial support and non-food items.

Presbyterian Church among several buildings damaged by Brooklyn fire

Posted April 27th, 2016

As many as 200 firefighters responded as flames spread to five houses and the Presbyterian Church of the Crossroads. One of the houses was the church manse.

New Jersey church worships with reform synagogue following March fire

Posted April 25th, 2016

Nearly a month after an electrical fire heavily damaged its sanctuary, the First Presbyterian Church of Englewood, New Jersey is still counting its blessings. The March 22nd blaze destroyed portions of the roof, stained-glass windows and the church steeple in the building which dates back to 1870. But the damage has not stopped the congregation from growing and learning and that includes reaching out and connecting with other congregations. The church is in the middle of a three-week joint worship with Temple Sinai of Bergen County, a Reform synagogue.

disaster