Ike Update 9-16-08

[Mike Rinehart]

Dear Gulf Coast Leaders,

 

Grace and peace to you.

 

Update

The state reports Search and Rescue operations will continue for another two
days or so. This morning 40 gas stations are open in Houston (1 for every
100,000 people) and lines are long. 60 pod sites are drawing from three
distribution sites to provide food, ice and water until retail sites open.
Officials are warning Houstonians that their water is not yet safe to drink.
Getting bottled water out is very important. Places that have gas stoves can
boil water. People with power outages in Texas are down from 2.8 million to
2.2 million. The State continues to emphasize the need for all non-residents
to stay

out of the area for the time being.  Evacuated residents are also asked not
to return until those municipalities announce that it is safe to do so. The
impact area is starting to see many non-residents and volunteer groups
arriving.  

 

Pastors and Rostered Leaders

Here’s yesterday’s earliest assessment of where everybody is:
http://www.gulfcoastsynod.org/files/carelist.pdf. Watch the website for
updates twice a day. Call us if you have info: 979-836-5522.

 

What to do

1.       Secure  your family.

2.       Check on your members, especially your elderly and most vulnerable
members. Get available people to help call through your membership list.

3.       Secure your facility.

4.       Serve your community. Let us help you get water, ice, and hot food
to people. If you help people in need they will never forget it.

 

Generators

WARNING: Generator exhaust is noxious. Do not run generators indoors, in
garages or in any area that doesn’t draw exhaust away from you. Several
deaths have been reported already related to generators. 

 


We have been told that PEP Boys are drop shipping generators at 3 locations
around Houston. $399 but you need to pay cash. They have no phones or power
so you just have to go. They also have gas cans and power converters. 


·         SW Freeway


·         N Loop (Pep <http://www.pepboys.com/>  Boys Automotive
Supercenters.  www.pepboys.com. 909 North Loop W, Houston - (713) 864-7979.
Directions,
<http://maps.google.com/maps?rls=com.microsoft:*:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UT
F-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7DKUS&um=1&q=pep+boys+conroe&fb=1&view=text&latlng=99
53685980981062681&sa=X&oi=local_result&resnum=4&ct=result>  hours, and more
») and 


·         Fairmont Parkway in Pasadena. 


 

Damages

We’re starting to get info on pastors and congregations affected by the
storm. Of course we’re all affected, but some more than others. Paul Zoch
had 4’ of water in his house. So did St. Mark Bridge City. St. John’s
Angleton had steeple and roof damage, and some interior water damage. Grant
Housewright has a tree in his house. Faith Dickenson has a tree in their
Sanctuary. Grace Conroe lost the storefront windows on their Family Life
Center: http://graceconroe.org/pics/slideshow.php?set_albumName=album45.

 

We still haven’t heard from Orange County Texas or Galveston. Carlos Pena
(ELCA VP) is going to try to get in today. His company is a total loss, but
his house may be okay based on reports. We’ve heard that damage to First
Galveston might be limited to the Fellowship Hall. This would be good news.
No news yet about St. Paul’s Galveston or Zion Galveston. 

 

Calling us

The synod number is now forwarding calls.  You may also call us directly at
St Paul Lutheran, Brenham at 979-836-5522 to reach the synod staff.
Volunteers are standing by to answer your calls. Staff are working hard to
get resources to congregations that are trying to serve their members and
their community. Please let us know what you need. 

 

שלמ

 

Mike Rinehart

 

Now as an elder myself and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as
one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you
2to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight,
<javascript:void(0);> * not under compulsion but willingly, as God would
have you do it <javascript:void(0);> *—not for sordid gain but eagerly…
10And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who
has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore,
support, strengthen, and establish you. 11To him be the power for ever and
ever. Amen.  (1 Peter 5:1-2, 10-11)

 

Michael Rinehart, bishop

The Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

12707 I-45 North Frwy, Suite 580

Houston, TX 77060-1239

281-873-5665

www.GulfCoastSynod.org <http://www.gulfcoastsynod.org/> 

 

cid:image001.jpg at 01C8E732.76E2DF60

 

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