Wait, Watch, and Pray With Redding

Update: Saturday, July 28


This morning, Bishop Barry Beisner, Canon Andrea McMillin, Kati Braak, the bishop's staff, our regional deans and other diocesan leaders met for a phone call with the Rev. Carren Sheldon to hear updates and coordinate next steps. 

Due to generous donations to our Disaster Relief fund, the Bishop gave Rev. Carren $1,500 of Target and Safeway gift cards for those who need assistance. The  Bishop also presented a check in the amount of $5,000 for additional fire related needs.  Rev. Carren said she is grateful for this support, and reports that eight members from All Saints' met at a nearby Lutheran church for prayer last night. Those who could not join were grateful for the prayers.

As of now, the best thing we can do is continue to wait, watch, and pray, and as Rev. Carren shared, to "Let God be God." 

For those in worship Sunday, we ask that you keep the first responders and all those affected by the fire in your prayers. If your congregation takes a special offering tomorrow, please make checks out to "The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California" and write "Disaster Relief" in the memo. 100% of these funds go directly to disaster relief. 
 
Checks can be mailed directly to the Office of the Bishop at:
The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California
350 University Avenue, Suite 280
Sacramento, CA 95825

For the latest information on the Carr Fire, please check the  Cal Fire site frequently.

You may donate online to our  Diocesan Disaster Relief fund here.  Choose "Disaster Relief" from the drop down options.  The link to donate is also here:  https://secure.accessacs.com/access/oglogin.aspx?sn=159790  


Photo courtesy of CAL FIRE, July 27, 2018.
 
Our God and God of our fathers and mothers,
as the flames burn, wreaking havoc upon our forests, our homes,
our fire fighters, our sense of security,
We turn to You for comfort and support.
Help us to differentiate between flames of destruction
and light that shows us Your way.
 
Be with us now in these smoke and fire-filled days.
Draw us close to those harmed by these flames,
hearing their cries, responding to their needs.
Lead us to support those who fight the fires,
who care for the displaced,
who bring healing to those suffering.
Though our attention is drawn in many directions,
may we not forget those in danger.
And please bring cooling wind and rain
from the heavenly realms to Northern California.
Amen.


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THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Making Disciples, Raising Up Saints & Transforming Communities for Christ