Over the weekend firefighters continued to beat back the Palisades fire but the winds are picking back up again and the next 48 hours of wind will be difficult. If you and/or your church are located near a fire station, consider saying thank you as an act of service–send them thank you notes, bring them cookies, let them know you are praying for them. The little things mean more than you know.
DO NOT GO INTO BURNED OUT AREAS
This is from Cal Fire on my daily briefing today: please do not go into evacuation zones and do not go into the burned out areas, I know it’s so hard. But not only is the ash incredibly toxic, even when we just touch it, harmful chemicals are sent into the air and it creates further health hazard for us all. HERE IS A HIGH RESOLUTION AERIAL VIEW OF STRUCTURES DAMAGED for you to view instead. They really are insistent y’all. Please.
FREE N-95 MASKS AT LA COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES
This was just rolled out today; visit your local public library and get your free masks. The air is super toxic out there.
PACIFIC PRESBYTERY IN THE NEWS
Pacific Presbytery and our partnership with Presbyterian Assistance and our partnership with other affected presbyteries in the Synod were part of a Presbyterian News Service article this past weekend.
APPLY TO FEMA
Yes, do it now. Apply HERE
For both people who lost their homes AND for evacuees: you qualify for FEMA aid. Here is information on upcoming workshops and pro bono legal clinics and Disaster Resource Centers (DRC) to help you navigate the FEMA process. I cannot emphasize it enough: APPLY FOR FEMA NOW. And if you get denied, appeal it immediately. Contact me for questions: heidi@pacificpresbytery.org.
APPLY FOR SBA LOAN
Do you have a small business that has suffered loss? Apply for a low-interest loan. Apply HERE.
NEED HELP WITH ALL OF THESE APPLICATIONS?
Visit a Disaster Resource Center or other pro bono legal help. See help being offered this week at various sites HERE
PRESBYTERY FIRE IMPACT FORM
Pacific Presbytery Congregations and Churches
PASTOR’S DISCRETIONARY FUND
Pastors, I am putting you on angel duty! Please identify people in your congregation or community in need and we can reimburse up to $500 to any emergency unmet need, by receipt. Text me for details at: 310.904.8311.
GIVE TO PDA
Please prepare to take an offering this week for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance through the month of January. HERE IS THE LINK GIVE TO PDA. These funds are critical to what we can do going forward and will be used for us to meet both emergency and long term needs. These funds will be used initially for gift cards and emergency unmet needs, AND they will help us build the long-term recovery–which will be enormous.
- To give online: https://pcusa.org/donate/dr000165-us-wildfires
- To give by phone: 800-872-3283. To send a check, please designate where you want your gift to go on the memo line and mail to:
- To mail a check:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
P. O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700
FIRE RELIEF PRAYER GROUP AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF HOLLYWOOD.
Thursday January 16th 6:30-9:30 pm 1760 N Gower St, Los Angeles, CA 90028. FPCH will be hosting a Fire Relief Prayer and Support Gathering in the Mears Center. This is open to anyone in the presbytery and in the Los Angeles area who would like to come and pray and encourage one another, as we ask God to help us get through this time. We want to connect people with others who can help and provide the support that is needed. This is open to all individuals, churches, ministries, schools, businesses, and community groups that would like to come. For more information, please contact pastor Clark Cowden at ccowden@fpch.org.
DO YOU NEED SHELTER? CAN YOU OFFER SHELTER?
PLEASE FILL OUT THIS FORM to help us gather data to connect needs with services.
DAY SHELTERS OPEN AT OUR CHURCHES
- Brentwood Presbyterian Church 12000 San Vicente Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049. Phone: 310.826.5656. Brentwood is opening up their Garden Room for a day shelter for anyone to hang out in. The Garden Room will be open from 9am-3pm daily except for Sundays. They will have some charging stations and table and chairs. This day shelter has been a huge hit! Come and visit the good folks at Brentwood Presbyterian Church!
- Culver City Presbyterian Church 11269 West Washington Blvd. Culver City, CA 90230. Call Pastor Frances at 310.740.7355 24/7 and enter through the alleyway.
- First Presbyterian Church of Santa Monica 1220 2nd St, Santa Monica, CA 90401. Phone: 310.451.1303
OVERNIGHT SHELTERS OPEN AT OUR CHURCHES
- Immanuel Presbyterian Church 3300 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Immanuel has apartment-like space with bed, kitchen and showers. Phone: 213.389.3191
- Other people and churches have offered spaces for overnight shelter! Contact heidi@pacificpresbytery.org to be connected.
DID YOU LOSE YOUR HOME?
Do not go into the burn areas please.
VOLUNTEER
L.A. Works is the official agency in LA County linking people to volunteer opportunities and non-profit agencies to volunteers. TO VOLUNTEER SIGN UP HERE.
DONATE
Mutual Aid LA Network: includes an easy-access list of information sites, housing, and animal shelters, and donation needs: www.tiny.cc/malan-fire.
PRAY
As we continue to anxiously await news of the fires, a picture that puts form to the hope we have in Jesus: the cross in the burned-out rubble of Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church. May it be a blessing to you as we worship Jesus in the ashes of our city.
Grace and Peace,
Heidi
Rev. Heidi Worthen Gamble
Mission Catalyst
Pacific Presbytery
heidi@pacificpresbytery.org
