MORAVIAN DISASTER RESPONSE
Hurricane Harvey and Extreme Flooding in Texas
Please share this information broadly and with individuals in congregations
Hurricane Harvey hit the Gulf Coast of the United States on Aug. 25, 2017 as a Catergory 4 storm with sustained winds of 130 mph. It has and continues to threaten millions of people with multiple days of heavy rain, winds and rising tides. This slow moving storm could bring up to 50 inches of rain to Texas in the days ahead.
While many have evacuated, significant damage is still expected, and thousands of people may be housed in shelters for an extended period of time.
The Board of World Mission has been following the response of our ecumenical partners, and have been in direct contact with representatives of the Unity of the Brethren Church in Texas, which has several congregations in the Houston area. Moravians have a shared heritage with this denomination going all the way back to Jan Hus, and they have a representative who attends BWM meetings.
The efforts of Moravian Disaster Response (MDR) will be in coordination with the Unity of the Brethren. They have asked for time to assess immediate and long term needs. If you are feeling called to help respond, please see avenues for donating and volunteering below. It is our hope to have donations ready to go and sent quickly once a plan of action has been put into place.
Make a Donation
Donations to help support MDR as it partners in the recovery can be made online by going to moravianmission.org/give. Please use the online giving form, and in comments designate the Donation for “Moravian Disaster Response”.
Donations within the U.S. can also be sent directly to the Board of World Mission at the address below. In the memo line of any checks please write “Moravian Disaster Response”.
Board of World Mission
PO Box 1245
Bethlehem, PA 18016
Canadian Churches may send donations to the following address in order to receive full tax credit for your donation and they will be sent along to the BWM:
Moravian Church in Canada
600 Acadia Drive SE
Calgary, AB T2J 0B8
NOTE: We are requesting funds be designated for general disaster response to allow the BWM to respond with the flexibility needed in this ongoing situation. All funds under this designation will be used for disaster response.
Volunteer
If you are interested in getting information on joining teams to help in the recovery and rebuilding efforts for this, or other disasters, please use this link to enter your contact information, and the BWM will follow up with you regarding any specific opportunities to get involved.
Please contact the BWM with any questions.
Northern Province Office: 610.868.1732
Southern Province Office: 336.773.1732
Justin Rabbach
Director of Mission Engagement
Board of World Mission
justin@moravianmission.org
