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Presbytery of Tampa Bay

To: Members of the Presbytery of Tampa Bay

From: Gerry Tyer, Stated Clerk

Date: March 4, 2010

Re: Special Meeting of the Presbytery of Tampa Bay

Presbytery of Tampa Bay

Call for a Special Meeting

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

1:30 PM

First Presbyterian Church

121 Carver Avenue

Brandon, FL 33510

In accordance with Book of Order, G-11.0201, the Presbytery Moderator, Rev. Rebekah Maul, has called a special meeting of the Presbytery of Tampa Bay upon the request of the Committee on Ministry for Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 1:30 PM at First Presbyterian Church, 121 Carver Avenue, Brandon, Florida 33510. The three purposes of this meeting are .......

Help Us Help Honduras

The International Mission Partnership is planning to ship a container of items later this spring to Honduras. Your help is needed! They are currently collecting items (medical supplies, school supplies, clothing and more) to pack and ship and hope you will donate. Please click here for the full list of what they hope to acquire. Please pray for the people of Honduras and for all those making this shipment possible.

Help Haiti Now

Your Haiti Response is a Wonderful Blessing!

Of the Florida churches that have returned the Haiti Earthquake Response Volunteer and Donations Surveys as of March 3, 2010, Florida Presbyterians have contributed the following:

$160,343.90 in Funds Donated
676 Volunteers
844 Volunteer Hours

Thank you to all who have helped in any way. Please continue to send updated information, as the cumulative totals will be sent to Volunteer Florida. Keeping track of volunteers and donations provides leverage when seeking additional disaster funding. Send your information to:

Kathy Broyard, Statewide Coordinator
Florida Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Network (FLAPDAN)
Phone: 941-483-0675 Toll Free: 877-FLA-PDAN (877-352-7326) Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Learn more about how PDA is responding in Haiti — read reports about the situation in Haiti as it unfolds. Get resources, worship materials and connect with PDA’s partners who are aiding in the recovery effort. Find a list of frequently asked questions and get information on volunteering.

As the news reports become more sparse, please keep Haiti in your prayers daily. Many will work hard for months, even years, to help in the recovery effort. Thank you to all who have contributed!

Help for Chile

A prayer and help for Chile's people

God of comfort, God of compassion, make your presence known to the people of Chile as they seek to from the destructive forces of the recent earthquake. Comfort all who grieve. Work healing in those who are injured. Guide all who work to rebuild. Make your presence know to the people of the world that we might respond to our sisters and brothers with compassionate generosity. Use us as our servants. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Responding to the earthquake in Chile
A devastating magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck Chile on Saturday, February 27, 2010, shattering buildings and bridges and causing the issuance of tsunami warnings for much of Pacific rim. Damage was particularly heavy in Concepción. That city, Chile’s second-largest metropolitan area, is located only 70 miles from the earthquake's epicenter. Reports as of Monday morning, March 1, 2010 list the death toll at over 700, with a potential of more deaths as tsunamis hit coastal areas. Approximately 1.5 million homes have been destroyed.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is working with our ecumenical partner Church World Service (CWS) in Chile to provide basic humanitarian assistance and to help local partners in assessing the needs. One Great Hour of Sharing funds will be used for an initial response. Gifts for responding in Chile may be designated for DR000185.

CWS emergency response staff have been in contact with colleagues on the ground in Chile and is coordinating their response with two Chilean agencies: FASIC (Fundacion de Ayuda Social de las Iglesia Cristianas) and the Humanitarian Team of the Methodist Church of Chile, IMECH. IMECH is part of the National Emergency Office (ONEMI), the national coordinating body headed by the President. ONEMI has local chapters in all regions, where coordination takes place with local counterparts.

PDA will also coordinate with PC(USA) World Mission and their work with CLAI (Latin American Council of Churches) and with ACT Alliance member Lutheran World Federation. Carlos Cardenas, PC(USA) mission co-worker in Nicaragua, is assisting in communication of assessments. John Robinson, PDA associate for national response, was in contact with presbytery staff in the Pacific rim areas over the weekend, in case there were needs arising from tsunamis in the aftermath of the quake. However, the effects of the tsunami did not reach the United States.

Reports will be posted on the PDA Web site as assessments continue and information becomes available.