Good Morning -

Update

Staten Island Disaster Response Sector Created ~ Fr. Chuck Howell Coordinator

Because the impact of Hurricane Sandy has been different in different parts of the Diocese we have created a Staten Island sector to address the needs of our parishes and congregations there. Fr. Chuck Howell (christchurchrector@verizon.net) has been asked to take on the coordination of the Diocese's recovery work in Staten Island. As a start, he has coordinated with City Harvest to distribute two tractor trailer trucks-worth of food from the Christ Church parking lot.

Lower Manhattan

Some power has come back on in lower Manhattan with more expected later today and this weekend.

Region II/Mid-Hudson

Parts of Region II continue to be without power; the Mid-Hudson area seems to be mostly up and running.

Next Steps

The constant throughout the diocese has been power outages, trees down, lack of food, and the lack of gasoline. As power gets restored, the situation should improve. Food, cold, lack of gasoline, and the destructive effects of the storm are the likely effects to remain in varying degrees in different parts of the diocese. We will continue to subdivide the diocese into sectors as indicated by local conditions and focus on supporting each sector as needed. At the moment, Staten Island is such a sector, and we may do the same in parts of Region II.

Relief efforts

Thank you to all who have filled out the Volunteer Request form on the website. Since it went up, 40 people have volunteered to help. St Mark's in the Bowery's being open as a neighborhood center yesterday from 10-4 had a big impact in their community: they will do the same again today. The Mid-Hudson support of Region II is going well also: Pat Richardson of St Peter's, Peekskill, reports that she had five deliveries yesterday, including a woman from Schenectady. A big thank you to all of you who are making the plan work so well.

Staten Island
Archdeacon Parnell and I went to Staten Island yesterday and visited Roy Cole, Chuck Howell, and Loyda Morales to see how they and their parishioners are doing. They are all well and working to serve their congregations and their communities. The devastation from flooding is severe along the Midland Beach area by Fr Cappadano Boulevard to the Verrazano Bridge. In addition, trees are down in numerous places, and one can see the effects of flooding in Tottenville. That said, the emergency crews are out and much clean up has been done although there is much more to do and it will take a while until everything is done. While the clean up continues, please keep those who have lost family members and their homes in your prayers.

Food restoration (replacing the contents of the refrigerator) will continue to be a need on Staten Island, as will food for eating as well as clothing and white items (sheets, pillowcases, towels, and blankets).

Facebook is turning out to be a good way to communicate with parishes and with each other and to organize ways to help others by posting a need or a plan you may have to respond to a need.

It is heartening to hear the stories of parishes and people helping their neighbors and to see so many emails from those who want to help. Keep up the good work, and God bless you.

Stephen+

Specific Requests 

St Stephen's Church

84 Eberhardt Road

Pearl River, NY 10965

845 735-8888

The Rev'd Susan Fortunato, Rector

Has asked for:

Food

Candles/matches

Flashlights

C & D batteries

Firewood

Water

St Peter's Church

137 N. Division Street

Peekskill, NY 10566

914 739-2527 (cell)

The Rev'd Calye Hughes, Rector

Ms. Pat Richardson, Parish Administrator

Has asked for:

Food (produce, eggs, meats, bread, non-perishable items)

Candles/matches

Flashlights

C & D batteries

Water

St Mark's Church-in-the-Bowery

(10th Street & Second Avenue)

131 East 10th Street

New York, New York, 10003

212 674-6377

The Rev'd Winnie Varghese, Rector

Has asked for:

Help in canvassing their neighborhood

Food: non perishables, stuff for sandwiches, food that doesn't need to be cooked.

Water