Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
Mission, News

Ongoing Hurricane Florence Response

Ongoing Hurricane Florence Response

PDA Deploys Long Term Recovery Specialist

In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Florence Presbyterian Disasters Assistance (PDA) sent a team of six people to stand with the Presbytery of Coastal Carolina and to assess the magnitude of the disaster caused by the hurricane. ….   <continue reading>

PCC Churches Continue to Response

Within hours of the restoration of power and communications across the area Facebook and other social media were abuzz with reports about what the churches of the Presbytery of Coastal Carolina were doing in response to Hurricane Florence. Examples of neighbors helping neighbors….
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Camp Kirkwood can host work groups

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Highland Presbyterian is Hosting Work Groups in Fayetteville

for an overnight group willing to work in Fayetteville or Lumberton, please contact Eden Roberts who is the PDA Mission Specialist II for Hosting and Volunteer Management of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance at the National Call Center  1.866.732.6121 (toll-free)  VOLUNTEERS NEEDED NOW

Resources Available

  1.  Ministry Continuation Grants
  2.   Can my church become a Volunteer Hosting Site
  3.   Emotional/Spiritual Support

Important Links Below

PDA Deploys LTR Specialist

In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Florence Presbyterian Disasters Assistance (PDA) sent a team of six people to stand with the Presbytery of Coastal Carolina and to assess the magnitude of the disaster caused by the hurricane.

Now only a few weeks later, PDA has deployed David Tahlman, a specialist in Long Term Recovery (LTR), to work with the three presbyteries most affected by Hurricane Florence – Coastal Carolina, New Harmony, and New Hope. David is based in Raleigh where he can easily coordinate with FEMA and State of NC authorities but has begun a tour of our presbytery along with PDA National Response Team member Dave Tahlman. After meeting with presbytery staff in Elizabethtown, the team is moving east to visit Duplin, Pender, Onslow, and Carteret Counties over the next few days.

The purpose of this visit is to get a sense of the needs related to our congregations, to help churches consider becoming host sites for volunteers, and to encourage the development or redevelopment of Long Term Recovery (LTRG) organizations.

PDA specializes in three areas of disaster response within the United States – long term recovery efforts, hosting of volunteers, and emotional/spiritual resilience. David  and his colleagues from PDA are available to work with  churches and groups in any of these areas. They can be contacted through the Presbytery office or through your Community’s Mission Coordinator.

PCC Churches Continue to Response

Within hours of the restoration of power and communications across the area Facebook and other social media were abuzz with reports about what the churches of the Presbytery of Coastal Carolina were doing in response to Hurricane Florence. Examples of neighbors helping neighbors lifted the spirits of all who saw the Body of Christ at work.

While the initial burst of activity has slowed down, the churches of the Presbytery of Coastal Carolina continue to be engaged not only with continuing needs for food, shelter, and cleaning supplies, but also in building up the infrastructure that our communities will need to connect the volunteers eager to help with those who need assistance.

Led by decades of experience by PDA, Presbyterians excel in the creation of committees and work teams who are there for the long haul. The lessons we learned in parts of our Presbytery following Hurricane Matthew are now available to the eastern portion of our Presbytery which escaped much of the damage caused by Matthew two years ago.

In the days and weeks to follow we will use this page to inform you of where Long Term Recovery (LTR) groups are being established and where volunteers can be hosted. If you or your church has something to offer to the effort, please contact the Presbytery office or your Community’s Mission Coordinator.

Resources Available

  • Ministry Grants

Very limited financial resources are available to assist congregations in recovery of their ministry. These funds are designed to come in after insurance and other resources have been tapped. Contact the Presbytery office for details and application forms.

  • Setting Up a Hosting Site for Volunteers 

PDA has specialists who can help your congregation evaluate their capacity to host teams of volunteers to assist in recovery efforts. Call the Presbytery office or your Community’s Mission Coordinator

  •  Emotional/Spiritual Resilience

Disasters, like any other sort of trauma, leave us exhausted and spiritually drained. Anxiety within congregations, like in any human system, tend to flow to the top. Pastors often carry the heaviest burden of this additional load of anxiety. PDA makes available retreats and other opportunities for emotional and spiritual respite and recovery of balance. Contact the Presbytery office or your Mission Coordinator for details.

Important Links