Hurricane Recovery Letter
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God called
unto him... and he said, Here am I (Exodus 3:4) |
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| Dear SFC Family: |
| Last Sunday, about 100 members of SFC met after the
10:30 AM service to discuss our response to the Hurricane Katrina
disaster. This storm has traumatized, injured and killed great
numbers of people and devastated vast areas of the Southeast. At
this meeting, we shared ideas and launched teams with a focus on
Prayer, Giving and Service. It was decided that SFC's response
should be an active one. So what has been done so far? |
| 1. SFC Response Team - a Team from SFC left on
Monday, September 5, in response to an invitation from CityTeam, who
has a team "on the ground" and has been assisting in the
relief efforts. This team includes our Senior Pastor Keith Potter
and seven others who are traveling to Waveland, Mississippi. They
will meet with an advance team from CityTeam and also step in for
current relief workers who desperately need a rest. Our team, along
with CityTeam, will partner with local leaders to determine how
people and resources from SFC can best be deployed now and in the
months to come. |
| 2. SFC Planning Teams - several teams were
established on Sunday to develop our relief plans. The teams include
Prayer, Connections (connecting with organizations already at work
in the disaster area), Communications, On-site work (medical,
counseling, construction, and evacuation camp assistance),
Administrative Support, and Giving. By Sunday, September 11, we will
provide additional information on our efforts and how you can
participate. Look for sign-up opportunities on Sunday or contact
Terri Goehner by email. |
| As we make plans to address this disaster, there are
two distinct phases of our effort. Phase I, immediate and timely
emergency relief including on the ground needs assessment, financial
contributions; and Phase II, sustainable compassion including
ongoing support for rebuilding and hastening a return to normalcy
(currently under development). |
| What can we do immediately? We have a
unique opportunity to serve those in desperate need through
sacrificial financial giving. The leadership of SFC has set a goal
to raise $300,000 over the next two weeks to address the immediate
needs of the victims of Hurricane Katrina. From these donated funds
we hope to: |
- Establish a $75,000 fund for SFC's direct relief program which
may include on-site relief efforts, adopting families, support
for local churches, etc.
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| It is also our hope to donate $75,000 to each of these three
excellent relief organizations: |
- CityTeam Ministries - Since 1957, CityTeam, a non-profit
organization, has been glorifying God through serving the poor
and homeless in San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, Portland,
Seattle, Philadelphia and partnerships in over 7 other countries
around the world. Two San Jose teams are now responding to the
devastation inflicted by Katrina. During this first phase,
CityTeam will help on a day-to-day basis and prepare for the
future of rebuilding the lives of those who have been
dramatically impacted. http://www.cityteam.org/
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- The Salvation Army - Since 1865, the Salvation Army, in
addition to preaching the gospel, has provided a wide range of
social services and disaster relief. The Salvation Army is
serving between 150,000 and 200,000 victims of Hurricane Katrina
daily. Types of services being offered include: food and drinks,
shelter, clothing, spiritual counseling and others needs. http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/
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- Samaritan's Purse - Since 1970, Samaritan's Purse has done
their utmost to follow Christ's command by going to the aid of
the world's poor, sick, and suffering. They have been a most
effective means of reaching hurting people in countries around
the world with food, medicine, and other assistance in the Name
of Jesus Christ. Samaritan's Purse, led by Franklin Graham, is
mobilizing hundreds of volunteers to help the neediest victims,
particularly the poor and elderly. http://www.samaritanspurse.org/
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| For those who have not made a financial contribution
to a relief organization, please prayerfully consider making a
contribution through SFC. Checks should be made out to SFC with
Hurricane Relief in the memo portion of the check. For those who
have already made a financial contribution to a relief organization,
thank you! We would ask you to pray if God would have you do more. |
| The relief effort from Hurricane Katrina is
monumental. There has been no single disaster in US history that
compares with the displacement of more than 1,000,000 people. It
will require years to rebuild and restore the lives of affected
people. Our corporate giving to these organizations through SFC will
demonstrate our commitment to love our neighbors in a very tangible
way. It will also provide an avenue for SFC to foster deeper
relationships with these organizations and real opportunities for
service (Phase II). |
| Our actions will also ensure that the donations go directly to the
people who are in need. As a reminder, any money donated to SFC for
this relief effort is passed along to the designated organizations
100 cents on the dollar.
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| Together, we can immediately demonstrate Christ's love for our
neighbors by making a financial contribution. This is a time for
sacrificial giving above and beyond our normal gifts. In Matthew 25,
Jesus tells his Disciples how we will be known by the Father…35"For
I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you
gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked
after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me…I tell you the
truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of
mine, you did for me."
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| On the next two Sundays, September 11 and September 18, we will be
calling for special offerings where you can present your
contribution. If you cannot attend church either of these two
Sundays, please mail your contribution to the church office - 14370
Saratoga Avenue, Saratoga 95070.
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| This is a historical opportunity for the Body of Christ at
Saratoga Federated Church to rally together so that "they may
know we are Christians by our love". This is just the first
wave of our support for an effort that will take many years and
substantially greater resources. Some of us may ask, "Why are
we taking this on this now when we still have debt on the property
and have another fund raising campaign for the sanctuary renovation
coming soon?" The answer is that we live by faith and not by
sight. The LORD has put this challenge before us with His timing
which may not be what we choose. If we trust GOD and follow His
leading when He calls us to action we have nothing to fear.
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| Please continue to pray!
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- For the victims of Hurricane Katrina that they would be
comforted.
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- For the relief workers - for their health and strength.
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- For those who are coming to relieve those who have been
serving faithfully.
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- For those who are coming to relieve those who have been
serving faithfully.
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| In His Name,
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Keith Potter, Senior Pastor
Jeff Davis, President, Council of Elders
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Contact
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| To volunteer or get more info about volunteering, please
fill out the volunteer form. |
| For questions about a particular activity within the Katrina
Recovery Ministries, please feel free to contact any team
leaders mentioned on the web page, or contact Terri
Goehner. |
| For questions or concerns about locating information about
the Katrina Recovery Ministries on this website, please
contact Rich Clewett. |
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