The Episcopal Diocese of West Texas
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Disaster Relief


The Disaster Response Commission has been hard at work preparing for future relief efforts. The Disaster Relief Plan is titled Cuenta conmigo or Count on me. To view or print the most current Episcopal Diocese of West Texas Disaster Relief Plan, click here.

 

    

The Disaster Response Commission   
  
Contact numbers:
The Rev. Christopher Roque, Diocesan Disaster Response Director, 325-387-2955 (office); 325-226-8444 (cell) or fatherchrisroque@verizon.net  
The Rev. Cristopher Robinson, Diocesan Housing Coordinator, at 361-720-2605 (cell) or cristopher@alumni.rice.edu to be paired with a host family.

Bishop Jones Center (Episcopal DWTX)...........210-824-5387
Toll Free..................................................................888-824-5387
Fax............................................................................210-822-8779
Website...................................................................www.dwtx.org

Current News:

August 16, 2010 at 2:00 p.m.
To:  All clergy and church offices
In the wake of the disastrous flooding in Pakistan, our diocesan Department of World Mission would like to ask that you consider making a donation for flood relief.  After two weeks, the devastation has been described by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as greater than the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the Pakistani earthquake combined.   If you would like to make a donation, you may send it either individually or by church to The Episcopal Diocese of West Texas, PO Box 6885, San Antonio, TX 78209, Attn: Betty Chumney, World Mission Department.  You may also send it directly to the Episcopal Relief and Development at P.O. Box 7058 Merrifield,VA 22116-7058.
    
Faithfully,
Betty Chumney
Director of World Mission
Episcopal Diocese of West Texas 
 
  
Thursday, July 08, 2010 at 10:45 a.m.
Sent to: Clergy and Church Office Staff
Bishop Lillibridge has asked that our churches take up an offering Sunday, July 11, 2010 or as soon as practicable for flooding relief efforts in Piedras Negras. El Buen Pastor church in Piedras Negras, with whom the diocese has a continuing relationship, is hosting about 100 refugees and is in need of food and water. There is no potable water in Piedras Negras, and hawkers are selling water for $2/gallon. Miguel and Mariaelena Cristerna, who pastor Redeemer Church in Eagle Pass and El Buen Pastor, say this flooding is worse than the Easter Day floods of 2005.
   
Offerings should be sent to the diocesan office (PO Box 6885, San Antonio TX 78209) to the attention of Betty Chumney, World Mission.
  
Bishop Reed has talked to our churches in Del Rio and in Laredo and reports that so far they are unaffected. One parishioner in Del Rio had to be evacuated and likely will not be able to return to his home.
  
Diocesan Disaster Relief Director Christopher Roque and Bishop Reed will continue to monitor the situation.

The Communications Department
The Episcopal Diocese of West Texas
  

  

Hurricane Alex Updates:

9:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 30: Tropical Storm Alex was upgraded to a Catagory I hurricane last night. It is predicted that most of the impact will be in Mexico around early evening. For the latest from the National Hurricane Center, click here.

12:15 p.m. Tuesday, June 29: We are following advisement from media sources about the path of tropical storm Alex. Parishes in the path of the storm need to look to their disaster plan, along with saving parish records and updating parshioners contact information in the event that their church office might be closed. Mustang Island Family Camp for July 1-4 will continue to meet, as the projected storm path doesn't look to affect the Mustang Island area. Valley clergy are specifically asked to contact Christopher Roque and the diocesan office for any questions or post needs. For the latest updates go to: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/nhc_at1.xml

Blessings and God’s Speed,
Father Christopher Roque
Director, Diocesan Disaster Response Commission
Rector, St. John’s – Sonora, Texas
325-226-8444 (cell & text)
Rector & Police Chaplain
Texas Lutheran University Police
Sonora Police Department
June 1, 2010 is the first official day of hurricane season. Does your parish have a plan?
Top 10 list for churches to see if they are ready for a disaster, click here.
(This document was passed out at the 2010 Diocesan Council) 

 

Always in Need:  
  
Clothing Donations:
The Salvation Army is coordinating collection of clothing for families in need.  If you have clean, usable clothing and are able to donate it please contact them at 1-800-SAL-ARMY.  If you are able to package it according to men’s, women’s, and children – or even by size, it would be helpful. Items in need: shoes, clothes, gift cards, hygiene products, packages underclothes, diapers, formula and even non-perishable items. If you have a large amount they are willing to coordinate a pick-up with you.  Visit their website at www.salvationarmytexas.org and find the one nearest you.
    
Food Donations:
The San Antonio Food Bank is coordinating collection of food for families.  If you have foods that you would like to donate, visit their website at www.safoodbank.org and find a list of locations and information about what they need. Note: Many local food banks around Texas are also collecting for families in need. Contact one in your area for local details.
     

 
Links: 
National Hurricane Center, click here.
For the latest hurricane information
   
www.stormpulse.com - tracks hurricanes and predicts wind, rain and speed for the upcoming hours and days.
   
Shelter Registry - If you have sought shelter or are hosting a family, log them in to the RedCross, click here.

Disaster Relief Kits - the diocese is always collecting kits to help for future events and emergencies. Please bring "entire assembled" kits to the diocesan office at 111 Torcido Dr. San Antonio, TX  78209. To see list of items, click here. For Assembly instructions and a sign up list, click here.  

DWTX Disaster Plan - To view or print the most current Episcopal Diocese of West Texas Disaster Relief Plan, click here.

Other Helpful Web Links during and preparing for a disaster, click here.  

To view Texas evacuation routes, click here.

Donate to individuals and families in need through our World Mission Department, click here. 

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