presbyterian disaster assistance Archives

PC(USA)-related camp fosters healing for survivors of school violence

Posted October 19th, 2023

After a deadly shooting at Westside Middle School near Jonesboro, Arkansas, David Gill and others pined for a way to aid students in their emotional and spiritual recovery. He began delving into the idea of holding a healing camp at Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center, where he worked a few hours away.

Crises in Afghanistan and Libya draw humanitarian response from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and its partners

Posted October 17th, 2023

Earthquakes in Afghanistan and massive flooding in Libya have left scores of people in need of humanitarian aid. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is among those providing help through partners active in the affected areas.

The PC(USA)’s Jinishian Memorial Program describes the displaced persons crisis unfolding in Armenia

Posted October 2nd, 2023

Up to 100,000 people have fled their homeland of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic) in fear of persecution and ethnic cleansing by the hands of Azerbaijan military and government rulers. Already starving from a 10-month blockade, those fleeing are forced to escape through rough, unsafe territory and attacks from Azerbaijan military personnel before arriving in Armenia.

Hurricane Idalia threatens multiple presbyteries as it pummels Florida and other areas

Posted August 30th, 2023

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has been keeping a close watch on Hurricane Idalia, which pummeled Florida and other areas Wednesday, bringing strong winds, rain and dangerous storm surge.

Presbyterian response to Maui wildfires continues

Posted August 28th, 2023

A community in Upcountry Maui that endured a wildfire at the same time as Lahaina is receiving a helping hand from concerned Presbyterians who are answering the call to donate to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA).

Mission co-worker delivers a compassionate update during Synod School on Ukrainian refugee work

Posted August 1st, 2023

Ellen Smith, World Mission’s regional liaison for Central and Eastern Europe, led a packed and thought-provoking mini-course last week during Synod School on the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s mission in Ukraine.

Renewal occurs through relationships between new PC(USA) community leaders and pastors in Puerto Rico

Posted July 21st, 2023

Through a collaboration between Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and 1001 New Worshiping Communities, church planters and spiritual leaders visited Puerto Rico in June to learn about ongoing efforts to rebuild after hurricane disasters. 1001 New Worshiping Communities leaders recognized many commonalities with pastors in Puerto Rico, including the necessity of bivocational calls and a need for community engagement and the work of healing and relief.

Arizona church ‘persevering in the spirit of love’ after devastating fire

Posted June 28th, 2023

The congregation and leadership of a Presbyterian church that was set on fire in late May in Douglas, Arizona, is determined not to give up despite major damage to the building.

Presbyterian Center staff joins with Mid-Kentucky Presbytery to gather hygiene kits

Posted June 28th, 2023

“The mission committee of Mid-Kentucky Presbytery is ready to again collect hygiene kits for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance,” wrote Ruth Welch, coordinator of the project for the presbytery. “We hope the Presbyterian Center will join in collecting, sorting and assembling these kits.”

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance hears from the communities it has served

Posted June 27th, 2023

Members of the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) National Response Team took a few hours out of their recent annual meeting to hear from representatives of two Colorado presbyteries that the team has served over the past few decades.