In a March 29 email news release, Bishop Rickel updated on the situation in Oso and Darrington in the aftermath of the Oso Landslide. Said Rickel, “I have talked with the Rev. Janet Loyd in Darrington every day. She continues to ask for our prayers. She is beginning to find need for the funds raised, which by the way are closing in on $10,000, but of course, more will be needed. She is deeply grateful for this response from individuals and groups in the diocese.”
In an earlier release, Rickel reported that he had also been in contact with Dave Baylor, our diocesan Disaster Relief Coordinator; Baylor functions as the primary connection with the US Disaster Program of Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD) in New York City, to help determine what kind of support ERD might offer to the Diocese and the local church in situations like this. He also functions as our liaison to the state level organization of faith-based and community organizations that respond to these events. This group is known as the Washington Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster or WAVOAD.
According to Baylor, “This provides us an integrated and well-informed connection with the field staff and managers of groups such as the American Red Cross, Catholic Community Services, United Methodist Volunteers in Mission, and a host of other similar groups that mobilize to provide help at various points following a disaster, plus federal, state, county and local government agencies.”
Oso prayer:
O merciful Father, comfort all who are in distress in the wake of the mudslides affecting those along the north fork of the Stillaguamish River. Give courage to those who search for family, friends and neighbors, so they will not be lost in danger or despair. Show your compassion to those who have lost loved ones, that they may feel your presence and live in hope of the resurrection. Strengthen those who have lost homes and possessions but have their lives, that they may embrace the precious gift of one another. Receive into your arms your children whose lives have been swept away, that they rest in your everlasting peace through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
