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
Finance Dept Fax..............................................210-824-2164
Bishop's Fax.....................................................210-824-1312
Website..........................................................www.dwtx.org

Current News:
Flooding in Eagle Pass
   
 
 
September 12, 2009 -  Dear Clergy and Disaster Response Commission Associates,
Many of you by now have heard of the recent flooding in Eagle Pass.  The Rev.  Marielena Daniel of Redeemer Episcopal Church and fellow parishioners have been very active in assisting displaced flood survivors in Eagle Pass through the local parish and county officials.  Bishop Reed spoke with her on Friday and conveyed the prayers and support of the diocese to Eagle Pass.  I have also been in communication with The Rev. Marielena Daniel via email and cell phone.  She has emailed me this flood report and needs assessment (received Saturday afternoon – 12 Sep).
  
It is my hope that these needs and report can be communicated to our convocations/parishes with expedience (convocation deans would you please forward this to the parishes in your area).  If you or your parish are able to assist through donations please mail checks, funds or gift cards marked “Eagle Pass Flood Relief”, to the Diocese of West Texas, PO Box 6885, San Antonio, TX 78209 Attn: World Mission).   If you have the desire to participate directly (either in person/on site or in the donation of large items) please call me on my cell phone (325-226-8444).  This will assist me greatly in coordinating or staging relief efforts.  I hope to make a trip to Eagle Pass on Monday or, Tuesday at the latest, to take disaster kits, funds or donated items to Redeemer Episcopal Church/Eagle Pass.
  
I spoke with Marielena Friday afternoon.  She said that she has felt the love, prayers and support of the diocese and feels well connected to her diocesan family.  In review the lectionary readings for this Sunday, I felt it ironic that it was Mark 8:34 “If any want to become my followers, et them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”  Our crosses present themselves in so many different ways, sometimes it is as a kind ear, writing a check or picking up a shovel.  May we always discern what Cross Jesus calls us to bear and have the will to be obedient.  Please review the report from Marielena which I have attached below.
  
May God’s Grace and Blessings be always with you,
Chris Roque
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Father Chris, the following is a report of the damages the flooding caused in Eagle Pass Texas.
1. Heavy rains, beginning September 9, caused severe flooding.
2. 124 Houses were affected as reported by the county judge.
3.12 Homes were completely destroyed (total loss)
4. 52 houses had severe damage
5. Four feet of water on Concho Street in Eagle Pass, resulted in destroyed furniture, mattresses and clothing for 10 families.
  
ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE REDEEMER CHURCH
We have:
1. Set up tables near Concho Street and offered food. Distributed about 80 lunch plates and bottled water as well. At night, served 100 suppers to people affected greatly by the flooding. Ladies from El Buen Pastor from Piedras Negras and Redeemer cooked.
2. Moore Hall has been offered as a temporary shelter.
3. If ther is more rain, we have offered to pick up people and transport them to Moore Hall.
4. A washer and dryer was provided to one of the families with the most members.
My suggestions to help these families (or at least some of them) receive immediate help are:
  
1. Go to a local furniture store to buy economical matresses for the families who lost their beds. We will have the store send the invoice directly to you.
2. Cash donations to help families buy bedding and basic clothing and household goods lost in the flood (gift cards either from wal mart or heb )
I have been in contact with these families since the flooding occurred.. The help that they need is the one mentioned above.Red Cross and Salvation Army are helping but these needs have not been met due to the procedure that they have to go through. (Example: One of the families that lost their house was provided for 2 nights at a hotel (short term assistance) , another family was provided with a one month's rent for a house however no landlord wants to rent a house for such a short time.)
  
I am sending you some pictures so you can see what the need is and your suggestions or recommendations are greatly appreciated.
Please include us in your prayers.
There is no doubt that the Lord wants us to work together in unity to assist these families.
  
A meeting with the County Judge  and Red Cross Representative was held during lunch with the families.
Love, Peace and Joy
Mariaelena
 
September 11, 2009 - News has come from our diocesan Disaster Response Commission director, the Rev. Chris Roque, who has been in contact with the Rev. Maria Elena Cristerna. Maria Elena is rector of El Buen Pastor, Piedras Negras, as well as clergy person in charge of Redeemer, Eagle Pass. Many of our parishes and youth teams have participated in mission work under the guidance of her and her husband for a number of years.
      
The recent flooding in Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras has resulted in the loss of 150 homes, and a portion of the town of Eagle Pass has been declared a disaster area.  Please ask your parishioners to keep the area in their prayers, and if any would care to contribute to the flood relief, have them mail their checks, marked Eagle Pass Flood Relief, to the Diocese of West Texas, PO Box 6885, San Antonio, TX 78209 Attn: World Mission.
    
Another immediate way the diocese will be able to help is by sending the disaster relief kits that have been stored here at the Bishop Jones Center, following their creation at Diocesan Council two years ago.  Bishop Reed has already pledged his assistance, and according to Roque, Maria Elena is very thankful and feels very connected to the diocese with the quick response and attention to the needs in the area.
Further information will be made available to this page as it becomes available.
Communications Department
Episcopal Diocese of West Texas
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.

B.E.R.T  (Basic Emergency Response Training) Course - to be offered at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in San Antonio. For information, 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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