Dear Friends,
In the wake of the tornadoes of last weekend, we join with all of you in prayers for those who have lost their lives, those who were injured and who lost their property. We continue our prayers for those volunteers and professional disaster relief personnel who are working to provide food and shelter for those needing assistance.
If you are interested in volunteering or donating items or money to help with the relief effort, we urge you to contact the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency at 888-353-1793 or log onto MEMA’s website at www.msema.org. On the home page, there are two places to get information on volunteering and donating.
There is also a Volunteer Reception Center in Yazoo City located at the intersection of Highway 49 and old Highway 16 where volunteers may register and get information on where to go to help with the relief effort.
It is important that all volunteers register in order that our state can receive the maximum amount of relief funds from the government and other sources.
As usual The Diocese of Mississippi is coordinating with Lutheran Episcopal Services and The Rev. Sandra Braasch who is the Director of Disaster Preparedness and Response at LESM. LESM is present in Yazoo County with our disaster relief trailers offering assistance and will soon be present in Choctaw County as well.
Regarding the state of Episcopal Church properties in the Diocese of Mississippi, I am happy to report that churches in the affected areas did not receive any damage. In the Diocesan Office, our telephone lines and internet access were down, but as of today, Tuesday, service is being restored.
Our thoughts and prayers continue for those affected by the storms and especially for those who are working to bring relief to our neighbors.
Yours in Christ,
The Rt. Rev. Duncan M. Gray III
Bishop of Mississippi
