Hurricane Sandy Update #32
Road to recovery
Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church
Friday, February 15, 2013
The most recent church e-newsletter, as well as copies of past Hurricane Sandy Updates, may be viewed in our online archive.

Greetings!

I was reading a recent newspaper article about the storm damage in Mantoloking, and came across an insightful comment by one of the officials of that town. Addressing the seemingly slow pace of rebuilding in that community, Planning Board chair Tom McIntyre observed that getting used to "the new normal" is a difficult task for everyone. He likened the situation to that of a family going through bereavement. There are five stages of grief, he reminded his fellow residents, and the final one is acceptance.

Grief hurdles
"We're all going through this... as a community," Mr. McIntyre explained to his Mantoloking neighbors. He went on to observe that many of those whose homes have been damaged or destroyed by Sandy are presently at "a dangerous point" in the recovery process.  Anger can easily rise up and cause discord in the community. "We've given you rules, we've given you parameters," he went on. "Let's just move it forward."

It's well known that the classic stages of grief, outlined by Dr. Elisabeth K�bler-Ross after years of working with dying patients and their loved ones, are denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. Not everyone spends a lot of time in every stage, but for most people the stages of grief are pretty reliable indicators of what they can expect to go through.

Anger is especially hard for those around the grieving person to deal with. It can rise up unexpectedly, with sometimes-devastating results.

Tortoise and the hare
More and more, we're all becoming aware that we're in a long-term recovery process. Getting ready for that long-term effort has been the focus of Point Pleasant Presbyterian's response for some time now.  Other organizations have bolted out of the starting-gate like the hare in Aesop's fable, engaging in efforts that have perhaps been more visible than ours, but we've been emulating the plodding tortoise. The work of the relief-worker "hares" has been vitally important, but they're now tiring.  Our mission of housing volunteer work groups is central to the long-term recovery. Slow and steady wins that race.

Beginning this weekend, we'll be welcoming volunteer groups to the Education Annex on a weekly basis (see below). Things will not go smoothly at first: that's guaranteed. We've prepared as well as we know how. We've followed advice given by our Presbyterian Disaster Assistance National Response Team representatives and by our partners from Lend A Hand. It now remains for us to just do it, paying attention to the further lessons we're going to learn, and making modifications to our plans and procedures accordingly.

Let's all try to remember that we're ministering in the midst of grieving communities, so we'll be encountering people who are at all stages of the grief process. A few neighbors, still mired in denial, will seem slow to take even the first steps towards recovery. Others will react with unexpected flashes of anger. Still others will enter a frenetic period of activity, trying one thing after another to try to get the ponderous bureaucratic machinery to serve their needs. Some neighbors who have been at this for quite a while will grow increasingly weary, even seeming to shut down for a time.

We seek to minister to people at all stages of the grief process.

Mr. McIntyre's parting line applies to us in our work as well: "Let's just move it forward," trusting the Lord to guide us through all the stages of our recovery. 

In Christ's love,

Carl

The Rev. Carl Wilton, Pastor


We're Now a PDA Volunteer Village

PDA volunteer village banner
As of this week, our Education Annex is now officially listed as a Volunteer Village by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) - the first one in New Jersey.

Our site, of course, isn't a camp environment, like the one pictured here, and like so many other similar facilities PDA has operated in the Gulf Coast area. New Jersey's four-season setting rules out that approach. PDA's response to Hurricane Sandy has taken a very different form, relying on partnerships with local congregations in affected areas.

We've already hosted a couple of volunteer work groups in the Education Annex, but beginning this week, we expect to have guests staying in the building on a more-or-less weekly basis. The members of the Hurricane Sandy Recovery Committee, and especially Peter Farwell, our Sandy Recovery Coordinator, deserve a big thank-you - from their fellow church members to be sure, but especially from the men and women who will be enjoying the simple comforts we provide, as they travel here from afar to help Restore the Shore.

PDA trio What does it mean to be listed as a Volunteer Village? It means we can take advantage of the services of PDA's National Call Center in Arkansas. They'll handle the booking process for us - letting group leaders know what's expected and what sort of facilities we provide, and supplying them with the various application and liability-release forms that go along with this work. All the groups who will be staying with us - whether our friends from Lend A Hand (who will continue to come here one week per month) or from other congregations and presbyteries around the country, will now make their arrangements through the Call Center, taking a burden off the shoulders of the church staff and local team members.

PDA will also supply us with their familiar blue t-shirts that we'll give to the volunteers, as well as certain clean-up items and materials that will come in handy as our guests engage in local clean-up efforts.   



Need a Listening Ear?
listening ear

Two members of the group of Lend A Hand volunteers - a married couple - who will be here this coming week (February 17-22) are trained, experienced grief counselors. They are making themselves available at no cost to speak with anyone who's had a storm-related loss and would find it helpful to receive personalized advice on coping with the many losses that go along with a disaster like Hurricane Sandy.

If you've had a loss as a result of the storm: your home, part of your home, your car, your job, your health, or anything else, and would like to take advantage of this free, confidential service, please call or email Kim in the church office (732-899-0587), or speak to one of the pastors.

The counselors are available to meet with you this week either at the church or at a location of your choice.  


Caring for Ourselves and Others Following Sandy

Self-care  

YOU ARE INVITED TO A GATHERING 
OF CARING PEOPLE 
WHO CARE ABOUT THOSE IMPACTED BY SANDY 
AND WHO HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY THE STORM

Sunday, February 24th
from 1:30-4:00 P.M.


Brick Presbyterian Church
111 Drum Point Road, Brick, New Jersey 08723
Phone: 732-477-0676

This event will be led by three members of the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance National Response Team. It will draw on their experience and training to share and demonstrate issues of self-care, including the use of narrative as an aid to self-care. The information provided will assist those who attend to practice various kinds of self-care, and will also give them tools to assist others in these same areas.

This is a free event open to the community. It would be helpful if you plan to attend that you call the Brick Presbyterian Church office by February 20th, so they can have enough materials on hand for those in attendance.

Light refreshments will be available (Coffee & Tea)

 



"Elevation 101"
House on pilings

The Borough of Point Pleasant Beach announces "ELEVATION 101," a free informational program that will take place this Saturday evening.

Roderick Scott of L&R Resources, a Hazard Mitigation and Historic Research Specialist, will conduct an open public forum regarding house elevation on Saturday, February 16th at 1:30PM in the Point Pleasant Beach High School gym.

The 30-45 minute presentation will cover the following topics:

1. What and why hazard mitigation: This section reviews the reality of climate change and the repercussions. 
2. Brief history of hazard mitigation elevation
3. Review of equipment we use today
4. Review process of elevating house
5. Review tips for hiring a qualified professional structural elevation company.  
6. Questions

Residents and taxpayers who have questions related to these topics are encouraged to attend this informative educational session.   


FEMA Hazard Mitigation Program Application Deadlines    
Point Beach sign
The Point Pleasant Beach municipal website contains this information for homeowners concerning FEMA Hazard Mitigation Program assistance that is available to offset part of the cost of elevating homes located in flood zones:

The Borough of Point Pleasant Beach will be proceeding with the process to enter the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Program. The Borough will be submitting a Letter of Intent to Ocean County by March 22, 2013, as required by FEMA, advising the County, State Office of Emergency Management, and FEMA, of the Borough's intention to participate in the program. If homeowners wish to participate in the program, they are advised to complete the application form and include ALL of the required information by:

MARCH 8, 2013 (for Point Beach)

Once complete and accepted, the form will be automatically sent to the appropriate program managers and homeowners will receive a confirmatory email with contact information in it.

**********

Point Boro sign
The Point Pleasant Boro municipal website contains this information on the FEMA Hazard Mitigation program:

FEMA has extended the deadline for municipalities to file the Letter of Intent to participate in its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Therefore, the Borough of Point Pleasant will continue to accept applications from property owners until

MARCH 19, 2013 (for Point Boro)

for participation in the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

Applications are available online at www.ptboro.com or at Borough Hall, 2233 Bridge Avenue in the Municipal Clerk/Administrator's Office. Any questions, please call or e-mail the Borough Engineer, Ernie Peters at (732) 286-9220.

**********

Bay Head sign
The Borough of Bay Head municipal website contains contains this information on the FEMA Hazard Mitigation program:

The Township will be submitting a Letter of Intent to Ocean County by 3/22/13, as required by FEMA, advising the County, State Office of Emergency Management, and FEMA, of the Township's intention to participate in the program. If homeowners wish to participate in theprogram, they are advised to complete the... form and include ALL of the required information by:

MARCH 19, 2013 (for Bay Head)

Once complete and accepted, the form will be automatically sent to the appropriate program managers and homeowners will receive a confirmatory email with contact information in it.

Further information for Bay Head residents is available in a pdf file on the municipal website.

**********

Brick rTownship sign
The Brick Township municipal website contains this information on the FEMA Hazard Mitigation program:

The Township of Brick will participate in the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and has not set a deadline for residents to complete and submit the Voluntary Participation Form. The Voluntary Participation Form is for participation in the HMGP and can be picked up at the Brick Township Municipal Building (401 Chambers Bridge Rd.) or downloaded from the attachment. Complete the Voluntary Participation Form and drop off or mail to the Brick Municipal Building, attention: Sheila Whiting.

DEADLINE TO BE ANNOUNCED (for Brick Township)

*Important - Deadlines and forms associated with other towns or municipalities do not apply to Brick Township. For more information please contact Sheila Whiting (732) 262-1063.

Those who live in other municipalities are encouraged to consult their municipality's website for information about this program, and parti
cularly its application deadlines.



Steadfastness

"Therefore we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God
for your steadfastness and faith during all your persecutions and the afflictions that you are enduring.
"

2 Thessalonians 1:4    



PPPC Hurricane Response
 
HURRICANE SANDY RECOVERY COORDINATOR

Peter Farwell
(908-675-7287) is serving as our church's Hurricane Sandy Recovery Coordinator, serving as the main communication person for our recovery efforts and representing our church at coordinating meetings with other churches and non-profit agencies.

Our Hurricane Sandy Recovery Team is meeting weekly, on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Room, to coordinate the church's continued response to the disaster, particularly the Volunteer Village in the Education Annex.  All are welcome! 

 



More Information

FACEBOOK GROUP

is a good place to keep up with your church friends, as they post messages about how they're getting along.

HOW TO REACH US


In the event that any of you are aware of anyone the church may need some help recovering from the storm, please feel free to email me, or call me either on the church line (732-899-0587) on our landline at the Manse (732-899-4858) or on my cell phone (908-910-5360). Associate, Linda Chase, may be reached at the church number or on her cell (732-232-5007).

FEMA INFORMATION

FEMA's local relief center is at 270 Chambers Bridge Road, Brick.

Registering with FEMA is the first step to receiving the services and help the government provides. The application deadline has now been extended to MARCH 1, 2013. Register today, even if you're not sure what help you may qualify for. You'll be glad you did!

NEW JERSEY 211's RELIEF AND RECOVERY ASSISTANCE GUIDE

The downloadable New Jersey 211's Hurricane Sandy Relief and Recovery Assistance Guide is the place to go for all manner of Hurricane Sandy recovery resources.

PERSONAL COUNSELING SUPPORT

Call one of our pastors, or the Mental Health Association of New Jersey's Hurricane Sandy Hope and Healing hotline: (877) 294-HELP (4357)

OPERATION HOPE, FEMA-APPROVED FINANCIAL COUNSELING

Call toll-free: (877) 592-HOPE (4673)


Some Useful Links

Back issues of these updates are available here.


Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - www.ready.gov

To contact the church office, please call 732-899-0587.