Responding to the Hill Country Flooding

Kathy Lee-Cornell
Jul 9
3 min read

Updated: Jul 10

Many across the Synod of the Sun have held the people and places dear to our hearts in ceaseless prayer since the deadly flooding of the Guadalupe River began on July 4th. Faith leaders in Mission Presbytery and Tres Rios Presbytery are tirelessly serving impacted community members throughout Texas, and they remain grateful for the prayers and care extended to them as they support the ongoing operations to locate lives, assess damages, and salvage what remains.

So what now?

The Synod Partnership for Disaster Recovery (SPDR) will continue to connect with our presbytery and ministry leaders and responding organizations using the 4 Cs of disaster recovery – communication, cooperation, coordination, and collaboration – both to address immediate needs and as we engage in the long term recovery of this region.

What has been made abundantly clear by our partners and local leadership is this: unsolicited in-kind donations and volunteers are NOT needed at this moment. Also, please beware of scammers and double check websites requesting financial donations.

We are encouraged to still stand in the GAP: Give, Act, and Pray.

GIVE FINANCIALLY

ACT

Create and share your individual and church disaster preparedness plan.
Assemble disaster cleanup buckets and hygiene kits.
- Store these locally and distribute them when necessary.
- Deliver them to Camp Gilmont or Ferncliff’s Disaster Assistance Center for distribution to disaster impacted communities.
Host a gift card drive (groceries and gas) and send cards to Mission or Tres Rios Presbytery.
Fill out the Mission Presbytery Volunteer Interest Form.
Seek out mental health resources and professional support when necessary.
- Disaster Distress Helpline: Call or text 1-800-985-5990 (Available 24/7)

Español: Llama o envía un mensaje de texto 1-800-985-5990 presiona “2.”

For Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL Callers: Please text or call the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 using your preferred Relay provider.

Board of Pensions Natural Disaster & Crisis Resources
Resources for Conversations with Children and Youth
Participate in your presbytery’s disaster response team/committee.
Receive disaster response training and participate in your communities' emergency preparedness committee or VOAD.

PRAY

Pray along with the Mission Presbytery July 6th Prayer Vigil

Pray the prayer written by Mission Presbytery’s Staff:

Good and Gracious God,

We come before you with humble hearts, overwhelmed by the catastrophic floods in parts of our Mission Presbytery and beyond.

We thank you for the lives saved in the midst of this devastation.

We grieve with those who have lost their loved ones. Comfort and console them, O God!

We pray for those who have lost their homes, businesses, and cherished belongings.

Hear our prayers, O Lord!

As the community prepares to rebuild, we pray for strength and resilience.

Grant us all a generous heart, so that we may rally the resources needed to rebuild our flooded communities.

We trust in your faithfulness, dear God, even in the midst of devastation.

Bless all who work for relief and restoration. And may your peace, which passes understanding, guard the hearts and minds of those who suffer.

May our response reflect your love for all people and all creation, and thus bring honor and glory to your holy name.

We pray all these in the name of Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord!

Amen!

For additional support connecting to disaster preparedness and response resources, visit: www.synodsun.org/spdr or contact Rev. Kathy Lee-Cornell, kathy.leecornell@synodsun.org.