We recently sent a second team (returned 10/20/08) to Iowa to help with the clean-up and reconstruction.  We are hoping to send more teams.  Please contact the church office for information on joining us 218-724-1604.

Notes from Iowa: "Thank yous don't go far enough to express what a great and wonderful help you all are. There is no way a community can rebuild alone. It has been the most humbling experience ... Hope you get to come back to Cedar Rapids soon. It is a wonderful community

... Many blessings to you all for taking time to help us all out."

Please keep the folks of Cedar Rapids and of Christ Presbyterian Church in your prayers.

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From East Iowa Presbytery

According to an announcement Saturday (6/21/08), the Presbytery of East Iowa planned to create a Disaster Response Team to lead the local coordination of work teams and resource allocation and to work in conjunction with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.

The East Iowa announcement stated, "PDA will be sending a full-time person on Monday [June 16] to coordinate the relief and volunteer efforts for the three presbyteries affected by the recent tornadoes and floods: East Iowa Presbytery, North Central Iowa Presbytery and Des Moines Presbytery. The PDA Coordinator will provide advice regarding resources available, assist in the coordination of volunteers and support relief efforts in the three presbyteries. The PDA Coordinator will also be working closely with the Presbytery of East Iowa's newly created Disaster Response Team."

The announcement also noted the presbytery office will be closed most of this week.  It read, "With the continued flooding in Iowa City and Coralville, it remains difficult for the staff to travel to the office."

From North Central Iowa Presbytery

Dave Feltman, General Presbyter, said, "If you would be willing to help with the cleanup of homes affected by the flooding, please contact the presbytery office." The office number for North Central Iowa is 319-233-1747. 

From Des Moines Presbytery

Phil Barrett, General Presbyter, coordinated a conference call Friday morning, June 13, of ecumenical leaders and denominational disaster relief personnel that has lead to an improvement in communication and coordination for Iowa disasters, according to an announcement from the Des Moines Presbytery.

A release from the Des Moines Presbytery noted, "Our biggest needs will come as the water recedes. This will be a long haul and require lots of volunteers."  It added, "Do not send clothes. There will be some specific clothing needs articulated, but right now clothes are not needed."

What can we do to help?

Two accounts have been established to receive donations: DR000162 (Disaster Response - U.S. Storms 2008) or DR000015 (Disaster Response - General). Donations may be made online by credit card or by calling (800) 872-3283. Checks payable to Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) may be sent directly to Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Individual Remittance Processing, P.O. Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700.

You may also give through your local congregation. If you would like your church to receive credit for your gift the Treasurer of your congregation can forward your gift through their regular church Treasurer’s Remittance Form.  On the Treasurer’s form, located under “other”, your treasurer should mark the gift with the number above and we will forward it to our National Church for distribution.

If your church is able to send a work team to Iowa, please contact the Presbytery of East Iowa at 319-354-9220.

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The following was received from the Synod of Lakes and Prairies:
 
JUNE 12, 2008
 
 Rain, thunderstorms and tornadoes wreaked havoc yesterday and today, and forecasts continue to call for more rain and storms across Iowa and Wisconsin tonight and tomorrow. Damage runs through Nebraska, South Dakota, southern Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin.
 
Presbyterians throughout the Synod of Lakes and Prairies mourn the loss of life, and pray for strength in the midst of the tragedies.
 
As of this afternoon, the East Iowa Presbytery has no email or Internet access. Its provider for those services is located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, which is being inundated with flood waters.
 
The John Knox Presbytery is in the initial stages of working with local disaster response groups and officials, and Judy Crotsenberg, presbytery administrator, said they hope to have more details in place by Monday.
 
Missouri River Valley Presbytery, has offered that presbytery's help in response to the loss of life at the Boy Scout camp at Blencoe, Iowa, located within the boundaries of the presbytery.
 
Yesterday, the Des Moines Presbytery, issued a statement that noted, "PDA Representative Don Hampton advises that anyone interested in lending a helping hand to those in Parkersburg, New Hartford, Cedar Falls, Waterloo, Iowa City area should contact the Iowa Concern Hotline at 800.447.1985. PDA is working with this hotline to coordinate volunteers who want to help with the flooding and tornado destruction.
 
HERE IS HOW WE CAN HELP…
 
"Anyone interested in helping those in the Polk County, Des Moines area, should begin registering now at www.unitedwaydm.org or call 211 to register their contact information. A volunteer reception center is being set up at the Des Moines United Way campus to coordinate the volunteer response to the flooding emergencies in Polk County and the greater Des Moines area."

The Des Moines Presbytery is also accepting calls from those in its area who may know of individuals or churches that may need help with flood-damage prevention or flood destruction. The presbytery can be reached at 515.276.4991 or 515.229.5959
 
There is an urgent need for Clean-up Buckets to aid flood victims.  I  have pasted the directions below if you or your congregation would like to help in this way.
 
If you wish to make an immediate donation, you can call PresbyTel at (800) 872-3283 or online at http://www.pcusa.org/pda.   Please designate your gifts to Midwest Flooding DR000015.  You may also give through your local congregation. If you would like your church to receive credit for your gift the Treasurer of your congregation can forward your gift through their regular church Treasurer’s Remittance Form.  On the Treasurer’s form, located under “other”, your treasurer should mark the gift for Midwest Flooding and we will forward it to our National Church for distribution.

One thing we can all do is to pray for all of the people affected by this terrible disaster.

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