In parts of Central Florida Presbytery, the damage only compounds the misery caused by Hurricane Charley. As Frances plodded northward, several sections of the country experienced widespread flooding, including western North Carolina and southeastern Ohio.

Once again, PDA is drawing upon the One Great Hour of Sharing offering in providing emergency grants to our impacted presbyteries and damaged churches. In Central Florida Presbytery, half of the 20 churches affected by Hurricanes Charley and Frances sustained significant wind and water damage. The initial damage assessment from Tropical Florida Presbytery adds six more churches to the list.

The Presbyterian commitment to work ecumenically and with people of other faiths enables us to respond more effectively and to reach those most in need. While we tend to our own wounds, our churches are reaching out to their communities.

Dedicated members of the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Team (PDAT) continue to serve faithfully in Peace River Presbytery. PDAT members Laurie Kraus and Larry Graham-Johnson are helping to organize the response in Tropical Florida. Once Ivan passes, PDATers Dan Grimes and Tom Jackson will be dispatched to assist Central Florida Presbytery.

Recognizing the severe emotional and spiritual toll that this unprecedented string of devastating storms is taking on our congregations and church leaders, PDA is planning a retreat for early November designed to provide respite, comfort, healing, and encouragement for the arduous task ahead. Your generous support of the church wide appeal is critically needed.

While much has been swept away by nature's fury, much remains upon which to build. Indeed, opportunities abound to witness to the healing love of Christ and to provide hope in the midst of chaos.

Please continue to pray for the thousands of disaster survivors, for those who lost loved ones, for the care givers, and for those who remain in harm's way.