From: "Jim Williams" <JWilliams@thepresbytery.org>
Date: 2005/01/31 Mon PM 06:28:21 EST
Subject: Tsunami relief stories for the Connector

Dear Friends,

National Capital Presbytery has opened its hearts, minds, and pocketbooks to help alleviate the the loss and despair of the millions of people whose lives have been changed forever by the December 26th tsunami. Our Disaster Response Team set a goal of assembling 2,500 Health Kits for Church World Service to distribute. As of the January
25th Presbytery meeting, over 8,500 had been collected!! In addition, we know of almost $68,000 in cash contributions from churches and individuals in the presbytery. Truly a remarkable showing of love and compassion.

As we prepare for the next Presbytery Connector, we'd like to hear from you about how your congregation responded to the disaster -- who was involved, what did you do, what lessons did you learn, what advice do you have for future relief efforts? If you send your stories to Brian Monsell at Takoma Park Presbyterian Church (tppcwww@perthro.pair.com), he will compile them and ready them for the newspaper in April. The deadline for getting the stories to him is March 1st.

We look forward to hearing from you and sharing your stories. We have heard some wonderful ones. So, please email Brian soon.

Our prayer is that this kind of disaster is a once in a lifetime -- or century, or millennium -- event. Whether or not we see another tsunami, we know there will be other natural disasters, and it is heartening to know that the people of National Capital Presbytery are
ready, willing, and able to let God's love through their hands to those in need.

Shalom.

Jim Williams
Associate General Presbyter
National Capital Presbytery
www.thepresbytery.org