Presbyterian Disaster AssistancE

Out of chaos, hope

Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. — Song of Solomon 8:7

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Hurricane Harvey struck the Texas coast late Friday, bringing lashing rain and sustained winds of 130 miles per hour. Even as its force has waned, Harvey has brought historic flooding, forcing rivers and streams from their banks, submerging homes, churches, businesses and roads, stranding thousands of people. Your gifts are urgently needed now to support the communities devastated by this historic storm and those throughout the Gulf region who are still in the path of Harvey’s torrential rains. Donate Now.

You can join in the response and encourage those in need by standing in the “GAP” — Give. Act. Pray.

GIVE:
Support Presbyterian Disaster Assistance’s emergency response and long-term recovery work in the areas affected by Hurricane Harvey. Designate gifts to DR000169-Harvey.

You can also give with a credit card by visiting presbyterianmission.org/GIVE-HARVEY or by phone at 800-872-3283.

ACT:
•  Put together Gift of the Heart kits for survivors in the affected areas — hygiene kits and cleanup buckets are especially needed. For more information, go to pda.pcusa.org/page/kits/.
•  Contact the PDA Call Center to be notified of volunteer opportunities. Call 866-732-6121 or email pda.callcenter@pcusa.org.
•   Learn how your congregation can help families who have lost everything in the devastation. Stay informed and like us on Facebook, download resources, including a bulletin insert, and share updates with your congregation.

PRAY:
God, our Shelter,
Be a strong presence in the lives of neighbors who, having survived the winds and rains of Harvey, now face grief, uncertainty and weary days. May our generosity in prayer and in tangible signs of support overflow more than floodwaters, to sustain your work of healing and rebuilding and to bring comfort and strength to those who suffer. Amen.

For more information, visit pda.pcusa.org.

PC(USA) Leaders Condemn White Supremacy, Racism

Later article (August 28, 2017) STATEMENT OF  FORMER PC(USA) GENERAL ASSEMBLY MODERATORS ON CHARLOTTESVILLE

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(August 14, 2017) In the wake of a weekend of violence in Charlottesville, Virginia fomented by the “alt-right,” four top leaders of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) today issued a statement condemning white supremacy and racism.

The leaders – General Assembly co-moderators Jan Edmiston and T. Denise Anderson, Presbyterian Mission Agency Interim Executive Director Tony De La Rosa, and General Assembly Stated Clerk J. Herbert Nelson, II -- praised the “faithful witness” of church leaders, especially those in Charlottesville, and acknowledged that “Scripture has been misused to justify white supremacy and racism.”

The statement further declares that “White supremacy and racism stand in stark, irreconcilable contradiction to God’s intention for humanity” and acknowledges the church’s historic complicity in systemic racism in the U.S. And the leaders commit the church to “stand against, speak against and work against racism and white supremacy, this day and every day.” [Continue reading . . .}

Stated Clerk's Statement
Are we complicit in the racism of the alt-right?

(August 14, 2017) ‘Proclaimers and hearers of the gospel must engage this uncomfortable issue that damages the soul of our country’

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“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:25–26 )

WE BELIEVE that any teaching which attempts to legitimate such forced separation by appeal to the gospel, and is not prepared to venture on the road of obedience and reconciliation, but rather, out of prejudice, fear, selfishness and unbelief, denies in advance the reconciling power of the gospel, must be considered ideology and false doctrine. (Excerpt from The Confession of Belhar)

White supremacy raised its head and occupied a weekend of the news. We are reeling as a nation from President Trump’s cursory statement that failed to aggressively condemn the existence of the alt-right and their promotion of vitriolic racial rhetoric and white supremacy. No longer can we make statements of denial that racial hatred and bigotry are isolated occurrences in our society. We witnessed the blatant actions of white supremacists giving declaration to their views of dominance, control and superiority in the streets of Charlottesville, a prestigious university town in Virginia. If the espousal of white supremacy was not enough, we now know that James Alex Fields Jr. of Maumee, Ohio is the driver of the car that killed one person and injured dozens more in the name of white supremacy. These occurrences are the result of a protest organized by the alt-right to maintain a statue of another white supremacist, Robert E. Lee. 

The handprint of racism is all over the United States in the 21st century. My question is: Where are we in the Church with the racist attitudes that have now been given an extreme voice from the highest offices in the land – both governmental and corporate? Where are the modern-day prophets – not simply in the streets and on television, but in local communities, organizing for a new day in the United States? [Continue reading . . .}

From the Synod of mid-atlantic:
A Statement to Presbyterians and Others:
Our Souls are disturbed! Our Spirits are shaken!

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(August 14, 2017) Yet, we do not lose faith! Presbyterians in the Mid-Atlantic Region are being called to speak out against Hatred, Injustice and Racism of all kind, particularly that which was demonstrated in Charlottesville, VA, Saturday, August 12, 2017. This region (Synod of the Mid-Atlantic) is the largest number of Presbyterians (U.S.A.) in the denomination. Can we use this collective presence for a forceful and visible voice for justice, equality and unity in the midst of Hatred?

White supremacists and neo-Nazis marched around the city chanting racist epitaphs. We saw visible symbols and activities, which at one point in history, were conducted in the shadows of the night. We heard the voices of young white men yelling racist words. We saw those carrying torches, Confederate flags and displaying Nazi symbols. One of God’s children was killed resulting from a car ramming the crowd. Two State Troopers died in a helicopter crash responding to the disturbance. [Continue reading . . .}