RCWS Responds to Tornado Devastation of RCA Communities in IowaSevere storms pounded Midwestern states on Sunday, destroying and damaging hundreds of homes. In the town of Parkersburg, Iowa, alone, 222 homes were destroyed and more than 400 were damaged.  Members of five RCA congregations in the Parkersburg area were affected by the storms. Bethel Reformed and First Reformed Churches in Aplington, Iowa; Pleasant Valley Reformed in Holland, Iowa; Stout Reformed in Stout, Iowa; and Hope Reformed in Parkersburg, Iowa, all have families who have lost their homes to the twisters. Hope Reformed has 19 families whose homes were totally destroyed and another 20 whose homes were seriously damaged. According to Jim Koopman, regional minister for Central Iowa and Pleasant Prairie Classes, the storms also claimed the life of one long-time RCA member, Shirley Luehring, who with her husband, Herman, had played an active role in Pleasant Valley Reformed Church. Herman, who was with his wife when the storm hit, is in critical condition but now improving at the University of Iowa hospital.  Koopman has been in contact with pastors and other church leaders in the affected areas and reports that all RCA members who lost their homes are temporarily housed, many of them with family members and friends. Although their immediate needs for shelter and food have been met, their long-term recovery is a matter of concern. David Dethmers, coordinator for Reformed Church World Service (RCWS), is currently in Parkersburg, meeting with regional and local church leaders to assess the damage and determine how RCWS can most effectively respond. RCWS will be working in partnership with the Synod of the Heartland, as well as Church World Service and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. How You Can Help Please pray for: - Those who were seriously injured or lost loved ones in the storms.
- Those whose homes were lost or significantly damaged in the storms.
- The five RCA congregations affected, that God will give strength and wisdom in the midst of this crisis.
- Local and regional leaders as they provide guidance and support.
 Contributions to assist families and churches affected by the tornadoes (designated "Spring Tornadoes") can be sent to Reformed Church in America, P.O. Box 19381, Newark, NJ 07195-1938 or, in Canada, to Regional Synod of Canada, 1985 Beke Road, R.R. #4, Cambridge, ON N1R 5S5.
To donate by credit card, click on the "Make a Donation" button or call the RCA Michigan Regional Center at (800) 968-3943. Images courtesy of KCCI TV; used with permission. Posted 05/27/08
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