Hurricane Laura Relief

"But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him." Luke 10:33-34

As your Deacon-in-Charge and a member of the diocesan Disaster Preparedness and Relief Team, I encourage you to help a neighbor struck down much like the traveler on the road the Jericho. The Episcopal Diocese of Western Louisiana has asked Mississippi to send gift cards (Wal-Mart, etc,) and checks to the diocesan office.  

For expediency, you can mail these to:

Episcopal Diocese of Western Louisiana

P.O. Box 4330

Pineville, LA 71361

If you would rather, Redeemer is also gathering gift cards and checks to mail and you can drop these off at the church.

As most of us know-- we do not send clothes, food, or water to churches this early on. Eighteen-wheelers will be showing up in communities across MS to deliver such tangible items to the disaster relief centers that will be popping up soon in LA. But it is early. Assessments and planning for recovery efforts are not complete. Also, it will take a while before volunteer teams will be accepted to enter the Lake Charles/Sulphur area where the most damage occurred.

I will update you as to how relief efforts, volunteerism, and donations will continue in the future as more information comes in.

You can also support Episcopal Relief & Development, which is in constant communication with the impacted dioceses working to reach vulnerable populations devastated by the storm. Donate today to support these efforts.  

https://support.episcopalrelief.org/hurricane-relief

God bless,

Fr. Andrew+