Presbyterian Disaster Assistance hears from the communities it has served

Two Colorado presbyteries share how PDA’s National Response Team has been present with communities during desperate times

by Rich Copley, Presbyterian Mission Agency | Special to Presbyterian News Service

DENVER — Members of the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) National Response Team took a few hours out of their recent annual meeting to hear from representatives of two Colorado presbyteries that the team has served over the past few decades. 

Speakers from Denver Presbytery and the Presbytery of Plains and Peaks spoke to the 70 NRT members and PDA staff assembled at Denver’s Central Presbyterian Church to tell them how the national church’s response had impacted their communities in moments of desperate need. The reflections included wildfires and floods and went as far back as the mass shooting at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, in 1999.

The Rev. Jim Webb of Mountain View Presbyterian Church in Loveland, Colorado, speaks to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance National Response Team members at their annual meeting April 24 at Central Presbyterian Church in Denver. (Photo by Rich Copley, Presbyterian Mission Agency)

“We just can’t say thank you enough for your ministry of presence,” said the Rev. Dr. Dee Cooper, lead presbyter for the Presbytery of Denver. “Your ministry in so many ways has impacted us and changed the flavor, changed the dynamic … You’ve modeled for us how to be Christ in this world.” 

Click the video above or follow this link to hear from several people how the National Response Team has impacted their presbyteries, including the Rev. Denise Pass, executive presbyter of the Presbytery of Plains and Peaks, and the Rev. Jim Webb, pastor of Mountain View Presbyterian Church in Loveland, Colorado.