08721
October 2, 2008

‘Unprecedented’ disaster response highlighted

GAC’s Justice Committee hears from PDA about 40 efforts

by Janet Tuck
Communications Associate

SNOWBIRD, UT — The unprecedented relief efforts of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) in response to more than 40 “events” that have affected nearly one-quarter of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) presbyteries were much on the mind of the Justice Committee of the General Assembly Council (GAC) here Oct. 1.

Members of the General Assembly Council engaged in a three-hour session of conflict resolution and community discernment practices, led by Sara Lisherness, director of Compassion, Peace and Justice ministries and Mark Koenig, coordinator for the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program. Photo by Jerry Van Marter

Sara Lisherness, director of Compassion, Peace and Justice Ministries — which includes PDA — updated the committee on responses to devastating flooding in the Midwest in the spring and hurricane recovery in the aftermath of four summer hurricanes that wreaked havoc in Texas and Louisiana as well as Caribbean island nations such as Haiti and Cuba.

Lisherness, who traveled to the Midwest, said, “Wherever I went, there was such deep gratitude for the Presbyterian Church because of our work there through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.”

PDA normally responds to between 15 and 20 disasters in a year, Lisherness said, but so far in 2008, the tally has reached 40, 19 of them international disasters in countries such as Cuba, Haiti and Liberia. 

In addition, PDA is involved with 14 ongoing long-term responses, such as tsunami recovery in south Asia, flooding in the Tabasco region of Mexico and gulf coast recovery from hurricane Katrina three years ago.

The committee also saw a new “minute for mission” video about PDA efforts which lets Presbyterians know how they can help.  It is posted on the PC(USA) Web site.

Lisherness also reported on the work of PC(USA) partners, including the efforts of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers to improve working conditions for farm workers in Florida and bring an end to slavery in the fields.

In recent weeks, the U.S. government has secured convictions of slaveholders in Florida, based on information gathered by CIW. And the coalition has struck a labor agreement Whole Foods. CIW had previously struck agreements with Taco Bell, McDonalds and Burger King. Whole Foods is the first grocery chain to make a deal with the coalition.

The Presbyterian Peacemaking Program told of 12 visiting International Peacemakers who are itinerating in presbyteries and congregations around the country this month, focusing on global efforts to relieve poverty. 

The peacemaking program has recently issued two new curricula: To Strengthen Christ’s Body: Tools for Talking About Tough Issues, and Guidelines for Communal Discernment available through the Presbyterian Marketplace on the PC(USA) Web site.

Later, Lisherness and Peacemaking Program coordinator Mark Koenig led the GAC through three hours of various conflict resolution and discernment practices, using tools and resources they have developed.

Because half of the current GAC members are attending their first meeting, the Justice Committee received orientation on the work of the General Assembly’s Advocacy Committee for Racial-Ethnic Concerns, the Advocacy Committee for Women’s Concerns and the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy.

And, the committee heard an update on the activities of Presbyterian Women, including preparations for the next Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women, slated for July 11-15, 2009 in Louisville. More than 3,000 women (as well as children, youth and even some men) are expected to attend.

Janet Tuck is director of communications for the Synod of Living Waters. She is also a part-time communications associate for the GAC’s Communications and Funds Development office.