Hurricane Sandy Update #33
Pier repair
Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
The most recent church e-newsletter, as well as copies of past Hurricane Sandy Updates, may be viewed in our online archive.

Greetings!


Connectional.

That's a word we Presbyterians are fond of using as we describe what makes us different from other Christian churches.

To be connectional is not to be hierarchical (with the church ruled from above), nor is it congregational (with the church governed as a pure democracy on the local level). Rather, the way we order our life together is a mix of both approaches.

We like to think we get the best of both worlds.

Railroad coupling I've been seeing the advantages of our connectional approach as our Sandy Recovery Team has been organizing our Volunteer Village - now operating in the Education Annex. We're making our own decisions as to how, exactly, we're going to go about hosting these guest workers, but we're getting plenty of help along the way from Monmouth Presbytery and from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.

Presbyterians are noted for hosting visiting volunteer workers in disaster areas, and the reason we've developed that specialty has something to do with our connectional nature. Every disaster is different, so people on the ground in the affected area best-equipped to call the shots.  Yet, the expertise of experienced aid workers - like the PDA National Response Team members who have been crisscrossing our local area, supporting congregations in their relief work - is something we could never replicate on our own.

This is one reason why we're able to reach out to our local area as part of the long-term recovery, drawing on resources to which other local churches have no access.

For years, we've been contributing to the One Great Hour of Sharing, received by churches of leading Protestant denominations on Palm Sunday or Easter each year. One-third of One Great Hour offerings go to support Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA). Few of us ever imagined we'd be recipients of PDA help ourselves, but Sandy has changed all that.

That's another reason why it's a great thing to be connectional.


In Christ's love,

Carl

The Rev. Carl Wilton, Pastor


PDA Is Scheduling Groups for PPPC Beginning in May

PDA volunteers
In the last issue of this occasional newsletter, we announced that our Education Annex is now officially listed as a Volunteer Village by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) - the first one in New Jersey.

After our listing went live, the next question the church's Sandy Recovery Team was faced with was: "When should we ask PDA to start booking groups?"

It's not an easy question to answer, for two reasons. On the one hand, we need to be sure we're truly ready to host groups with the full complement of up to 36 people. On the other, the sponsoring organizations (churches or presbyteries) need some lead time, after getting a firm date on their calendars, to fill their work group's rosters with volunteers.

Remember the old story about the construction of the first intercontinental railroad? The railroad companies began laying track from the east and from the west simultaneously, until they converged at Promontory Point, Utah to drive the golden spike. Our efforts feel a bit like that sometimes. We're concentrating on making sure the two sets of tracks do meet, eventually.

Golden Spike Historic Site The answer we've given the PDA National Call Center in Ferndale, Arkansas is to start now, booking groups for PPPC for the beginning of May and beyond.

We'll continue to host some groups in the meantime, but those are the result of special arrangements we've made directly with those groups. PDA has now entered the information on those groups into their computer system as reservations already made, and is beginning now to fill in the other dates.

The majority of our pre-booked dates are the one-week-per-month visits of the Lend A Hand organization, a mission of Carlisle Presbytery in central Pennsylvania. Lend A Hand volunteers have already made several visits here, with more to come. Others - particularly during the month of March - are college campus-ministry groups coming to the Shore as an alternative to Spring Break (no partying, just time given in service to others).

PDA has informed us they have well over 500 volunteer work groups on their list, awaiting churches like ours whose Volunteer Villages are ready to receive them. So, it's a certainty that our calendar will be completely full in no time.

We've learned that, in addition to PPPC, the Forked River Presbyterian Church and the First Presbyterian Church of Elizabeth have now also signed on with PDA as New Jersey hosting sites. Several other churches in Monmouth Presbytery are also investigating whether or not they will be able to become hosting sites as well.

We continue to be cautious about committing to hosting more workers than we can handle. Our ability to host these numbers of guests is a function not so much of the building itself - which (except for the showers we'll soon be adding) is pretty much ready - as it is our capacity to give each worker meaningful tasks to perform.

The advice we've heard about running a Volunteer Village is that the most important commandment is: "Thou shalt not cause a volunteer worker to ever ask the question, 'What would you like me to do now?'" The goal is to have MORE work than our guests can handle, so they return home exhausted but feeling that they've used every minute of their time aiding the Jersey Shore's recovery.

Eventually the responsibility for providing work assignments will rest with the Ocean County Long Term Recovery Group. The OCLTRG's subcommittees charged with Case Management and Construction Management are still getting organized. The OCLRTRG is building an administrative structure that will include paid contracts with social service agencies to handle Case Management, as well as paid Construction Managers who will visit homeowners in need of repairs and plan out the work volunteers can do. It takes time to do this right, so it's important for the OCLTRG to have all its ducks in a row before they begin processing applications.

The connections we've been building locally between Sandy survivors and volunteer work groups are of an ad hoc nature, and intentionally so. We don't have access to the personal financial data necessary to do proper case management, and we can only do what construction management local volunteers (like Frank Jones and Bill Williams from PPPC) can provide in their spare time.

Ultimately, our mission is to focus on hosting volunteers, but while the OCLTRG is still building its administrative structure and devising its operating procedures, we're doing what we can to match worker skills with jobs that need doing. Someone likened the challenges of starting up this kind of effort to building an airplane while it's in the air, and that's the way it feels sometimes to members of the church's Sandy Recovery Team. We do what we can, and trust the Lord to bless our efforts.

Thank you for your support, your understanding and your prayers. 



Don't Miss the SBA's March 1st Loan Application Deadline

Deadline The following vital information was published in the Ocean Star newspaper on February 22:

Residents must apply for SBA loan by March 1 in order to receive money for damages.

The deadline to complete the Small Business Administration [SBA] loan application in order to receive money from the federal government is Friday, March 1.

According to fema.gov, SBA is the primary source of federal funds for long-term rebuilding. In most cases, FEMA money will not cover all of the repair needs of homeowners.

By returning the SBA loan application, homeowners may be eligible for up to $200,000 to repair or replace their storm-damaged home.

Homeowners and renters may be eligible for up to $40,000 for replacement of personal property such as clothing, furniture, cars and appliances.

There is no obligation to accept a SBA disaster home loan and homeowners and renters may become eligible for additional FEMA grants if they are not approved for a loan.

For businesses and private nonprofit organizations, the SBA may loan up to $2 million to repair or replace storm-damaged property.

People can apply to the SBA before settling with their insurance company so there is no need to wait.

Applying by the deadline can help avoid a shortfall in rebuilding money if survivors later discover they are underinsured.

The quickest way to apply for a SBA disaster home or business loan is by filling out an online application at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela

For additional information on the SBA, contact the customer service center by calling 1-800-659-2955. For people who are deaf or hard of hearing, call TTY 1-800-877-8339. More information is also available by emailing [email protected] or visiting sba.gov

Affected survivors may visit a disaster recovery center for more information about FEMA and SBA assistance. For nearby locations, visit www.fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers  


Triennium Scholarships Available for PPPC Youth

Youth Triennium 2013 logo
Sandy has adversely impacted many features of church life at PPPC this year, one of which is the fund-raising efforts we would ordinarily undertake to support youth wishing to attend this July's Presbyterian Youth Triennium at Purdue University in Indiana, July 16-20.

Every three years, when this national youth conference is on the horizon, the Youth Connection holds fund-raisers that reduce the cost, from just over $600 (which includes travel on a bus chartered by Monmouth Presbytery) to a more manageable figure. Members and friends of the church often make special gifts as well.

In the wake of a hurricane, it's difficult to do fund-raisers for an event like this when there are so many crying needs all around us. Fortunately, Monmouth Presbytery has recognized the need, and has set aside some money from some special gifts to provide scholarships for young people from churches affected by Sandy to attend the Triennium, all expenses paid.

The focus of these grants is not just on families whose homes sustained damage; rather, it's on the church as a whole, because of our reduced ability as a congregation to do our usual fund-raising. Any PPPC church member as young as a rising high-school freshman or as old as a graduating senior is encouraged to apply for one of these scholarships.

Time is of the essence, though, because Presbytery youth leaders are now making plans for bus rental and need to have at least an expression of interest from youth who would like to attend.

Please let Courtney Norton know as soon as possible if you are interested in applying for one of these Triennium scholarships.


You can download a copy of the scholarship application form.

Want to know more about the Triennium? Check out this video...

2013 Triennium Promo Video
2013 Triennium Promo Video


 



Children affected by Sandy
 


Useful Information from the State of NJ

Helpful tips
The State of New Jersey Division of Community Affairs has a small online library of documents related to a number of Sandy recovery issues, including elevating houses and other construction-related concerns.


 


FEMA Can Help With Furnaces and Water Heaters

Water heater

 

We've learned that FEMA is now able to pay the actual cost for installing furnace and water heaters in storm-damaged homes.  If you become aware of neighbors who may be living in homes with no heat or hot water - or if that description applies to you - please reach out to your local FEMA Disaster Resource Center for more information. 

 

 

 

 

 



Free Super Storm Sandy Insurance Claims Seminar

Scales of justice
St. Mary's By-the-Sea has asked us to share information about a free seminar by insurance law attorney Joseph A. Porcelli at their church on Thursday, March 14, 2013. A similar seminar will take place the next day in Brick.
 
Homeowners and businesses can obtain advice about reporting an insurance claim, appeals and moving a claim through adjudication. There will be prepared remarks by various experts, followed by a question & answer session.

The seminar is free, but advance registration is required either by calling 732-244-4451 or 877-529-9191 or emailing the attorney's office.


Patience

"May you be strengthened with all power, according to God's glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light."

Colossians 1:11-12   
 



PPPC Hurricane Response
 
HURRICANE SANDY RECOVERY TEAM

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.

The Hurricane Sandy Recovery Team meets 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!

Those serving on the Team include Elaine Conheeney, Randy Crate, Frank Jones, Kerry Jones, Tom Kenny, Michael McGuire, Donna Norton, Joan Panuska, Claire Pula, Susan Robbins, Nancy Stout, Bill Williams and Donna Wittmann.

 



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 Pastor Carl Wilton, or call him either on the church line (732-899-0587) or on his 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.