Diocese Responds to July 4 Hill Country Flood

An unimaginable tragedy unfolded on Friday, July 4. Communities in the Texas Hill Country, preparing for the summer holiday festivities, incurred severe storms that lingered and deluged the region with unprecedented rainfall in a very short period.  Calm and peaceful only hours before, the Guadalupe River rose quickly and roared through the Hill Country with devastating speed and destruction, claiming the lives of over 130 victims.  

In the hours and days that followed the flood, the Rt. Rev. Dr. David G. Read, D.D., Bishop of West Texas, stayed in close contact with the Rev. Bert Baetz, Rector at St. Peter’s in Kerrville, to offer prayers and determine the most effective way for the diocese to help those in need. St. Peter’s, a thriving and close-knit congregation, was in deep shock and pain from the immense loss of life.  Six of the victims were members of the church and connections to other victims are numerous.

On July 5, Bishop Read and the Rt. Rev. Angela Cortiñas, Bishop Suffragan of West Texas, sent a message to the diocese requesting Big Prayers for St. Peter’s and the Hill Country communities. Additionally, a diocesan July 4 Flood Relief fund was rapidly established to address immediate and long-term recovery efforts, with the financial response being coordinated through the clergy and lay leaders of St. Peter’s, Kerrville (link here to read more about St. Peter’s Help and Hope Ministry).

Amid the immense sadness has been a faithful and uplifting response from individuals across the diocese, country, and world reaching out to help through ministry, financial support, prayers, and a commitment to standing beside the families of victims and the affected communities as they grieve and heal. Prayers and offers of assistance have been received from bishops, churches, ministry leaders, and members of dioceses across the nation, many of whom jumped into action, sharing information and resources with their dioceses. The outpouring of support is reflective of God’s love through our relationships as the Body of Christ.

In a July 17 letter to the diocese, Bishops Read and Cortinas shared, “Our connectedness as members of the Body of Christ is a gift from God.  We wish you could read all the messages of love, prayer, financial contributions and support we have received:   From our Presiding Bishop and leaders in the Anglican Communion; from bishops, priests and deacons around the country; from altar guilds and Sunday Schools; from vestries and Bishop’s Committees inside and outside West Texas.  We are reminded that we are surrounded by the great Communion of Saints.  Our hearts are lifted by their love and generosity, and their prayers are tangibly felt.”

Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD) of The Episcopal Church, upon hearing the news of the flood, offered financial assistance and expertise from their trained faith and community leaders. To date, a $24,000 Grant has been received from ERD, along with the commitment for long-term assistance. In early August, an ERD team met with Bishop Read and visited Kerrville to meet with the St. Peter’s Help and Hope Task Force, as well as traveled Hunt to view the region, St. Peter’s pop-up chapel and the mobile stations established for St. Peter’s Help and Hope ministry.

Recovery is a long process. Rev. Baetz’ words sent in a message after the flood remain true, “We have been brought to our knees and deeply hurt by the loss of life. And, in the midst of these days, I know two things to be true for sure. I know us and I know God. We love each other well. I know this to be true. I have always known this to be true about our church. We can and will lean on one another with the deep love we know to be true. That love will not fail. Also, I know the God revealed to us in Jesus Christ. Since the day he was resurrected from the dead, Jesus promised to be with us always, to the end of the age. Our Lord who died on the cross and rose for us is with us, always. He is walking with us through the valley of the shadow of death. He is living with us through these most devastating days here in the Hill Country.”

In Bishop Read’s most recent message, included in this issue of laVentana, he shares, “It is such a time as this that the relationships we share in West Texas are most valuable. Jesus tells us the world will know we are his followers if we have love one another. Let us reach out in love for those who are hurting in the Hill Country today.” To read the full message, click here.

Click here to visit St. Peter’s “Help and Hope in the Hill Country” website and learn ways in which you can help.

Click here to donate online to the Diocese of West Texas July 4 Flood Response Fund.

Click here to learn more about The Diocese of West Texas’ Disaster and Preparedness Committee and available resources.