Diocese of Nebraska - Holy SWAT

Severe Weather Assistance Teams

 

Prayers

Almighty God we pray for all those who are suffering as a result of the recent flooding. 
For those who are shocked.
For those who are frightened
For those who are feeling bereft
And for those who are now trying to get down to the long slog of sorting everything out. 
We pray for those who have died or have been injured.
We pray for all those who have seen their homes,

     and businesses and farms so badly damaged.
Bless them, we pray, as they seek to rebuild what has been shattered and give them

     that sense that you are there in the midst of all their pain
For we ask it for the sake of the one who bears all our sorrows, Jesus Christ, Our Lord 
Amen.

To the People of God in the Diocese of Nebraska

Water is a powerful symbol in our liturgies.  In baptism it provides the journey from death and life.  
 
We understand the power of water as well in our lives.  We experience the extremes - the blooming of spring and the floods in our communities.
 
Our sisters and brothers in the Diocese of Iowa are literally coming out of a great flood.  They are in need of our assistance.
 
As the people of the Diocese of Nebraska and as their neighbors, we are beginning to put together teams of volunteers to assist those most greatly affected by the recent floods.  Our response is to form groups of what we will now call Holy S.W.A.T - Severe Weather Assistance Teams. 
 
We are in conversation with leadership in the Diocese of Iowa.  Many of their needs are unknown at this time - but will be known as the waters subside over the next few days.  On our end, we will begin to organize so that we may respond when the needs are clear.
 
Our plan is simple.  We will form as many teams as possible from our congregations and as needed these teams (or combination of teams) will be asked to deploy as needed and available to various locations in the Diocese of Iowa.
 
The requests from Iowa will be made via Trinity Cathedral using the Office of the Dean for Urban Mission.  From our Cathedral we will make the appropriate matches based on availability and need.

 

Options for Response

Financial

Here are two ways recommended by the Diocese of Iowa;

Iowa Flood Relief (Bishop's Crisis Relief Fund) - web link

or mail to:

Diocese of Iowa
225 37th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50312

Funds may also be sent to:

Episcopal Relief and Development
P.O. Box 7058
Marrifield, VA 22116-7058
memo: Iowa Floods

Supplies

We will need to take and send lots of cleaning supplies. These include paper-towels, rags, eco-friendly cleaning solutions and supplies.

A specific request for kitchen items and tools has been made. Everything from pots and pans to tongs and spatulas are needed.


Work Teams

Basic Clean-up Crews - Groups of people to assist with the large undertaking of clean up.
Electrician and Plumbing Teams - Volunteer electrians and plumbers would go with groups or workers to offer specialized assistance.
Childcare or VBS - The Diocese of Iowa has noted that many parents would be greatly assisted if there was a way to have their children cared for while they deal with damaged or destroyed homes.
Volunteer Support - Groups of people that go along to provide support for the volunteers themselves.

For more information please contact The Very Reverend Ernesto Medina, Dean for Urban Mission -email link for Dean Medina.

 

WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU NOW

We are asking that each congregation begin to organize and identify those who might be able to assist.
 
Once this is done, please send the following information to The Very Reverend Ernesto Medina, Dean for Urban Mission - ermedina60@cox.net or call 402.541.9454 (cell).

 

• Name of Congregation
  
• Name of Contact Person
  
• Names of volunteers along with what group or groups (from list above) they are willing to be on.  We will also need address, phone and email addresses.
• Dates available.

 

Please note that request are expected to come within the week.  We need to know who is able to go out on short notice.

We were informed that it might also be helpful to be thinking that this might be a good way to spend the 4th of July weekend.