pda

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance responds to mass shooting in Texas

While the community of Sutherland Springs, Texas grapples with yesterday’s mass shooting at First Baptist Church, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is responding. Mission Presbytery has requested PDA’s presence to meet with church leaders and determine the best way to minister during this time.

Historic Englewood church shows growth 19 months after devastating fire

For over 140 years, First Presbyterian Church was the centerpiece of historic Englewood, New Jersey. But that all changed on March 22, 2016, when a fire broke out leaving significant damage to the sanctuary, destroying original stained-glass windows and causing the roof to collapse.

Presbyterian documentaries on immigration and refugees shown in Dayton

The original idea was to simply schedule screenings of the most recent Presbyterian Disaster Assistance documentaries on immigration detention and refugee resettlement (Locked in a Box and To Breathe Free) at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Dayton. What Sally Dyer didn’t realize, was a number of organizations across the city were planning their own awareness events around these issues.

California churches and presbyteries work to help those affected by wildfires

Northern California’s wine country has received the brunt of the massive wildfires that continue to burn out of control. More than 20 people are known to have died in the fires, while at least 285 remain missing. Authorities report 3,500 structures have been destroyed and over 170,000 acres burned.

Presbyterian churches provide pastoral support in midst of chaos in Las Vegas

Las Vegas awoke this morning in a state of shock following last night’s mass shooting that has left nearly 60 dead and as many as 500 people wounded. The shootings occurred during an outdoor music festival. Police say a lone gunman opened fire on the crowd with an automatic weapon from the nearby Mandalay Bay Hotel.

Presbytery leader in Puerto Rico reports on damage from Hurricane Maria

The Rev. Edwin González-Castillo, Stated Clerk of the San Juan Presbytery in Puerto Rico, says the biggest challenge he is facing in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria is communications. Attempting to reach and coordinate relief efforts across the island has been hampered by downed communication lines outside of San Juan, infrastructure damage due to flooding and ongoing concerns about fuel shortages.