It is clear that COVID will influence the way we live and do ministry for years to come. Yet in an adapting world, natural disasters continue to affect communities, who still rely on the generosity of volunteers to support the long-term recovery from floods, fires, hurricanes, and tornadoes. Individuals and families who have been marginalized in the past continue to be marginalized during disaster recovery.

Along with many other faith-based and non-profit groups, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) provides opportunities to step into the gap, walk with those impacted, and work towards healing.

PDA currently has 7 host sites receiving volunteer teams witnessing to the healing love of Christ by supporting rebuilding efforts in areas that have been affected by natural disasters, including tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and fires.

These sites are:

  • Pines Presbyterian Church in Houston, TX Presbytery of New Covenant, Synod of the Sun responding to Hurricane Harvey.
  • First Presbyterian Church in Orange, TX, Presbytery of New Covenant, Synod of the Sun responding to the multiple hurricanes that impacted Lake Charles, LA.
  • Trinity Presbyterian Church in Oroville, CA, Presbytery of North Central California, Synod of the Pacific responding to the Camp fire that impacted Paradise, CA and surrounding communities.
  • La Casona de Monteflores in San Juan, PR, Presbytery of San Juan, Synod in Boriquén responding to Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
  • New Hope Village at Neuse Forest Presbyterian Church, New Bern, NC, New Hope Presbytery, Synod of the Mid Atlantic responding to Hurricanes Matthew and Florence.
  • Presbyterian Church of the Cross, Omaha NE, Presbytery of Missouri River Valley, Synod of Lakes and Prairies responding to severe flooding.
  • We also support an independent site at First Presbyterian Church in Madisonville, KY, Presbytery of Western Kentucky, Synod of Living Waters responding to tornado damage.
  • Finally, we plan to open an eighth site at First Presbyterian Church in Calvert City, KY, Presbytery of Western KY, Synod of Living Waters responding to tornado damage. This site is tentatively scheduled to receive volunteers in the late summer of 2022.

We are writing to ask if you would be willing to share the information about our host sites with your congregations and other interested group, encouraging them to consider sending adult or youth work groups to one of these sites this year or in 2023. More information is available at www.pcusa.org/pdavolunteersites, or those who are interested can contact Nell Herring (Mission Specialist for Volunteer Ministries) at [email protected] or (866) 732-6121.