Workers along Second Street in Fargo work to raise the height of a clay dike to 42 feet after flood predictions were raised to 41 feet from 40 feet. The clay dike runs in front of City Hall and protects the downtown area. Photo: Michael Rieger/FEMA The cities of Fargo, North Dakota, and Moorhead, Minnesota, and other communities near the Red River of the North, face potential massive flooding this week with crests in some locations predicted to exceed record levels.
Areas most impacted
The Rev. Nancy Emerson, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Moorhead, informed members of her congregation that the church would close at noon on Wednesday, March 25, until further notice. She wrote, “several session members, committee leaders and staff met to enact a plan of action for the church itself. First, we have begun to take some precautionary measures to help protect the church building from pooling water and rainwater — as well as possible river water if there were to be a breach in the dike. … Some of these measures include sandbagging doorways and plugging all floor drains.”
She added, “If the dike fails and the river reaches 41 feet, there would be river water in the church building. We’re hoping and praying this won’t happen to our church neighborhood but we are taking these precautions as we watch and wait to see what happens.”
For now, Moorhead’s congregation plans to worship with First Presbyterian Church in Fargo, Emerson said. She added, “we recognize our need to gather and worship God even in the midst of rising waters, chaos or maybe triumph.”
PDA Response
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) deployed National Response Team members Jim and Katrina Anderson on March 26, 2009, to work with the Presbytery of Northern Plains and the Synod of Lakes and Prairies in preparing and responding to this disaster. PDA will also respond to a request from the presbytery for financial assistance with funds from One Great Hour of Sharing.
PDA will continue to work with the Presbytery of Northern Plains and the Synod of Lakes and Prairies during and after this crisis to help meet the needs of the most vulnerable.
What you can do
We are very appreciative of the many calls asking how you can help. The waters are still rising and an assessment of needs has not been conducted. You can stand in the gap for disaster survivors and help the church in this response.
GIVE. The generous sharing of your financial blessings through the One Great Hour of Sharing offering and special designated giving provides the resources needed to assist with immediate emergency needs, cleanup provisions, long term and unmet needs, as well as spiritual/emotional counseling.
Individuals may give through their local Presbyterian congregation, on the secure PC(USA) Web site, or by sending their check to:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Individual Remittance Processing
P.O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700
Please include the special designated giving account DR000015–U.S. Disaster Response.
Congregations should send donations through their normal mission giving channels
ACT. Often following a flood, there is a need for Gift of the Heart health kits and clean-up buckets. Please prayerfully consider engaging your congregation in this hands-on ministry to ensure a sufficient quantity of these items are available when needed.
PRAY. Please continue in prayer for all who have been impacted by these floods including congregations, families and relief workers. |
