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Hurricane Sandy Update #34
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Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church
| Saturday, March 16, 2013
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The most recent church e-newsletter, as well as copies of past Hurricane Sandy Updates, may be viewed in our online archive.
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Greetings!
This has been one of those weeks when I felt just plain frazzled. It seems I've been pushing up against a lot of deadlines recently, one of them being a major grant application we've just submitted to the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund.On Friday morning, I was sitting at the computer, keying various pieces of data into the online application. As the 12:00 noon filing deadline drew near, I felt like my eyes were about to go buggy. So many minute bits of information go into a grant application!
 Describing what we're doing, and what we dream of doing, with the Volunteer Village was the easy part. I can wax enthusiastic about that project - and about the wonderful PPPC folks who have given of their time so the visiting workers may give of theirs - all the live-long day. It was the details of the application that were driving me crazy: financial reports, tax-exempt certifications, incorporation papers - not to mention the proposed budget for the grant, which had to be keyed into an Excel spreadsheet and uploaded.I submitted the grant application just under the wire, then had a complex meeting with Bill Shoppell and Sara Hoey, as we planned out the details of the new Taizé worship service we're going to be offering on Good Friday evening, March 29. After that, it was a quick pit stop at my oncologist's office to get my implanted port flushed, then on to a wedding rehearsal.I learned long ago that this ministry gig is a little like a NASCAR race: if you can learn how to change gears rapidly, you're halfway there.By the time I walked through the doors of the Education Annex, to spend a little time with our Volunteer Village guests and bid them farewell as they prepared to leave the next morning, I didn't have a whole lot left to give.  Not to worry. They had plenty to give to me.We've had a couple of college campus-ministry groups staying in the Volunteer Village this week, wonderful young people who have foregone the typical Spring Break revelry of their peers to squeeze through crawlspaces and pull out flood-damaged insulation.I had the opportunity to listen to them as they took turns around the circle, sharing what their week of volunteer service has meant to them, and to the people they've been helping.(You can listen in yourself, by clicking on the YouTube video links below.)I had walked into that room feeling tired and depleted. I left several hours later, energized - and more convinced than ever before that this hosting of volunteers is what God means us to be doing, as a congregation.The Bible tells the story of Queen Esther, who finds herself uniquely situated to save her people from a terrible persecution. "Perhaps," suggests Esther's wise cousin Mordecai, "you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this." (Esther 4:14).  I'm coming to believe, more than ever before, that the Lord has placed us here, as a congregation, for such a time as this. We've had our challenges, over the years, maintaining a faithful Christian witness in a beachfront resort, where so much energy is dedicated to insuring that a good time is had by all. But now, our mission is becoming crystal clear.Sure, I love the Jersey Shore, and Point Pleasant in particular. I've spent most of my life in this part of Ocean County. I'd be less than honest, though, if I didn't admit that folks around here can be a little shallow sometimes. We all know there's a larger-than-usual percentage of the populace who singlemindedly pursue Bobby McFerrin's reggae creed: "Don't worry, be happy."But we're different. God has put us here for a different reason.
With a few modifications, our Education Annex is beautifully suited and strategically located for volunteer work-group hospitality. Last spring, a member felt called to offer a special gift to air-condition the Great Hall and kitchen. We had no way of knowing, then, how timely that project was.
Coincidence? Maybe. But then again, maybe not. Maybe that was God positioning this congregation for such a time as this. If we get this right, our efforts to bring a steady parade of work teams to the Jersey Shore will result in a remarkable multiplication of God's gifts. We could never, as a congregation, marshal the many hundreds of workers who are now poised to come through our doors, on the way to going out again to rebuild our damaged towns. But we can help make that work happen, by providing the necessary logistical support.Thanks to all who have come forward to help with that work. And thanks - in advance - to all of you who are mulling the whole thing over in your minds and hearts, discerning your own particular way of serving.Who knows? Maybe the Lord has put you, too, here for such a time as this. Please let us know if you feel called to help.
In Christ's love,
Carl
The Rev. Carl Wilton, Pastor
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College Volunteers Speak
The video links below are all very brief - most less than a minute. They capture the voices of a few of the college students who were staying in the Volunteer Village this past week, on an alternative Spring Break organized by their campus ministries. Work groups composed entirely of college students are the exception rather than the rule. Most PDA volunteers come here at mid-life, some even in retirement. The older groups have more to offer by way of specific building-trades skills. Yet, the all-student groups have their own unique perspective. The voices you'll hear below come from the campus ministry of the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant in Cleveland, Ohio and from Appalachian State University in western North Carolina. The two groups had never met each other before last Sunday evening, but they quickly bonded. They testify that a Volunteer Village is all about relationships:  | | PPPC College Workers 1 |
 | | PPPC College Workers 2 |
These students learned just how tough and resilient Jersey Shore people are:
 | | PPPC College Workers 3 |
Some discovered unexpected talents - like squeezing into crawlspaces:
 | | PPPC College Workers 4 |
Demolition work can be an adventure:
 | | PPPC College Workers 5 |
At the end of the day, though, it's all about love:
 | | PPPC College Workers 6 |
Whatever the age of the volunteer, the experience of recovery and rebuilding is not just a matter of giving. These young adults eloquently witness to the truth that, when we offer ourselves for the sake of Christ, we often end up receiving as much as we give!
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Beware of Sandy-Recovery Scams
 After any disaster, there are problems with scam artists: "contractors" with no local address who accept down payments but never return to do the work, swindlers impersonating FEMA representatives, etc. Some of these people prey on senior citizens in particular.Here's a link to a FEMA press release describing some ways to protect yourself against such fly-by-night characters. If you think you may have been victimized by someone pretending to be a FEMA representative, FEMA asks you to please call their fraud hotline at 1-800-323-8603. The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs also receives complaints about fraud cases at 1-800-242-5846. |
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Why Hurricane Recovery Is a Little Easier on the Gulf Coast
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March 23 Waves of Action Clean-Up
The organization known as Waves of Action is planning a series of clean-up events on March 23. Several of their sites are in our area: Reedy Creek in Brick, the area by the Mathis Bridge in Toms River, Wreck Pond in Spring Lake Heights, and other locations.
You can find out more about these events - and sign up - on their website. If you can't make the March 23 events, they're planning another clean-up day on April 27.
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Sandy by the Numbers
In case anyone's still wondering (as if that were possible) why Hurricane Sandy's such a big deal, here are a few statistics:
7 million: Number of people left without power during the storm
346,000: Number of homes damaged or destroyed
185,000: Number of New Jersey businesses impacted
100,000: Number of storm-related unemployment claims
1,400: Number of sunken vessels
6: Number of schools completely destroyed
You can read the rest of the number in this article. |
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Good Work
"Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
and prosper for us the work of our hands -
O prosper the work of our hands!"
Psalm 90:17
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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.
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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 GUIDEThe 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 SUPPORTCall 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 COUNSELINGCall toll-free: (877) 592-HOPE (4673)NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS RESOURCE LINKS
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