Posts Tagged: disaster

PDA’s Response to COVID-19: a pastoral letter

Dearly Beloveds When did we see you? In company with the whole church—its congregations, pastors and chaplains, mid councils, and national staff, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) has entered this strange new world of pandemic, beginning our response to COVID-19 with a solidarity grant to our ACT Alliance partner in China in February, to support their… Read more »

Puerto Rico Update

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) has been in constant communication with our Presbyterian Leadership in Puerto Rico since January 6th, 2020. Two PDA staff members were on the island when the most powerful earthquake from the earthquake swarm (6.4) struck on Tuesday January 7th. The situation in Puerto Rico, especially in the south of the island,… Read more »

What Does Being a Nation of Welcome Look Like?

How do we—as a community, a church, and a nation—care for the vulnerable?   This is a question we are compelled to examine, particularly when it comes to refugees and forced migrants. Whatever your opinion of U.S. immigration policies, people (such as those attempting to enter through our southern border) are living in precarious situations,… Read more »

World Refugee Day 2018

World Refugee Day is celebrated on June 20th every year. It is a time for remembrance, prayer, celebration and commitment.  

Refugee Arrivals: A Failing Report Card

U.S. Refugee Resettlement Update: March 2018 By Susan Krehbiel, PDA Catalyst for Refugees and Asylum The impact of new U.S. Government policies and procedures related to the resettlement of refugees into the United States has been severe. Faced with the largest humanitarian displacement in modern times, the U.S. Government set the lowest resettlement target since… Read more »

Blue Shirt Sunday 2018

The first Sunday in Lent (February 18, 2018) is designated “Wear your blue t-shirt to church Sunday” as a testament of one of the ways One Great Hour of Sharing makes a difference. Below are the images shared with us from the 2018 Blue Shirt Sunday!  Thank you to all the churches that shared their photos with… Read more »

In the aftermath of the Parkland, FL shooting

On February 16th, two days after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, PDA National Response Team (NRT) members trained in responding to public violence arrived in the Presbytery of Tropical Florida to provide a ministry of presence. The NRT members joined the Presbytery for a community vigil and lead a discussion… Read more »