Haitian Relief

From Bishop Rickel:

The devastation in Haiti is just so difficult to absorb. I have met with Chuck Hamilton, our ERD Coordinator and Brian Sellers-Petersen, Director of Church Engagement Programs for ERD. They are keeping us in touch with the needs there. If you have donations you may send them directly to ERD or to the diocese and we will see that it gets there.

For the latest updates on the situation in Haiti and the involvement of the Episcopal Church, please go to Episcopal Relief and Development's Haiti Crisis page and Episcopal Life Online.

 

A message from the Presiding Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori

 

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Disaster Preparedness Opportunities:
Ways to Get Ready and Ways to Help

It’s getting to be that time of year when we’re concerned about flooding and preparing for other disasters that might be on the horizon. Following are three announcements to help you get ready, including ways you can help neighbors in need when the time comes.

ARC Shelter Volunteer Flyer

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H1N1 Flu Preparedness

 

Below are two tips for H1N1 preparedness:

• Pandemic Checklist from ERD
• Pandemic Preparedness
  

More on H1N1 Preparedness

You can also access current and helpful information from the Washington State Department of Health website at http://www.doh.wa.gov/h1n1. Also, if you click on the button at the left for the "H1N1 Newsroom"
(http://www.doh.wa.gov/h1n1/h1n1_newsroom.htm), you can then select the most recent news release from the DOH. This release will direct you to any updates in flu prevention information and the criteria for the priority groups to receive the H1N1 vaccine, as well as a link to the site that lists vaccine distribution locations county-by-county, http://www.doh.wa.gov/h1n1/h1n1_getvaccine.htm.

David Baylor, Diocesan Coordinator, Disaster Preparedness & Response,

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The Global Youth Movement Northwest

The Global Youth MovementNorthwest is a non-profit connected to the Diocese of Olympia. It works to engage youth in yearlong community service projects that strengthen their connection to specific communities and promote youth leadership. The mission is to engage youth in community change. This is the first year that this non-profit, started by Merritt Hess, has hit the streets. "High school youth from churches throughout the Diocese of Olympia are selecting projects that they will plan, carry out, and eventually report on next fall. It's an opportunity for us to get out of the way and let young people gain valuable experiences and leadership skills."

The way it helps the Diocese is that all of the sudden many youth programs become youth led. This is the point of success in youth ministry. This gives youth from these churches the pride and passion that they need to want to belong. Community service projects are also a way for teenagers to do something that A.) is very meaningful B.) is something that they can invite their friends to do as well. Since many different churches are participating this also creates a feeling that "we are not alone" in doing a community service project as a youth group.

The Global Youth Movement- Northwest brings high school youth face to face with communities, facilitates cultural exchange, and teaches youth leadership. We have a commitment to unified projects that benefit all parties and promote human empowerment. Through focused efforts many of our projects will continue to reach low-income and diverse populations. Our programs aim to reduce stereotypes and educate young people on the importance of community and interpersonal exchange. For more information, contact Merritt Hess at: