The ministry of presence is important in God’s mission. Yet even when a global pandemic causes cancellation of short-term mission trips, congregations and presbyteries in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are showing care and compassion in creative and urgently needed ways from afar.
It’s been a year since a trio of hurricanes wreaked havoc on Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico, leaving a path of destruction, major power outages and many people without homes. Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria in quick succession, pummeled their targets over several days late last summer.
El largo y lento retorno del servicio eléctrico en Puerto Rico tras el huracán María sufrió un revés el pasado domingo, cuando una subestación eléctrica sufrió una explosión e incendio. La mayor parte del norte del territorio estadounidense se vio afectada. Las autoridades dicen que podría tomar un par de días para restablecer la electricidad permanentemente.
The long, slow return to reliable electric service in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria suffered a setback on Sunday when an explosion and fire rocked an electric substation. Most of the northern part of the U.S. territory was affected. Authorities say it could take a couple of days to fully restore power.
La Junta de Pensiones de la Iglesia Presbiteriana (EE.UU.) anunció hoy que no recolectara cuotas para el plan de beneficios en los tres presbiterios y sus iglesias en Puerto Rico. Por ahora, el período de exención se aplica a las cuotas adeudadas desde septiembre hasta diciembre del 2017 y se volverá a evaluar al culminar el año.
The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) announced today it is waiving benefits plan dues for the three presbyteries and their churches in Puerto Rico. For now, the waiver period applies to dues owed September through December 2017 and will be reassessed at the close of the year.
The Rev. Edwin González-Castillo, Stated Clerk of the San Juan Presbytery in Puerto Rico, says the biggest challenge he is facing in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria is communications. Attempting to reach and coordinate relief efforts across the island has been hampered by downed communication lines outside of San Juan, infrastructure damage due to flooding and ongoing concerns about fuel shortages.
Severe famine and ongoing fighting between ethnic groups have made survival difficult for millions of people in South Sudan. As a result of the deteriorating conditions, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) has issued an appeal.
Anyone doubting whether climate change exists should pay a visit to Haiti. That’s the assessment from Valery Nodem, the Presbyterian Hunger Program’s international associate, who recently visited the country, nearly eight months after Hurricane Matthew
If robins are commonly recognized as harbingers of spring, then “Pastor Robyn” is widely acknowledged in Fort Worth, Texas, as a harbinger of spring’s — and Easter’s — promise of new life.
