Hi,
I can’t meet n’ greet on August 9, 2015. Whomsoever has 8/4 I’m happy to
switch dates. Can anyone take 8/9 for greeter?
Thanks
Michael
From: amc-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:amc-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Austin Mennonite
Sent: Friday, July 31, 2015 3:31 PM
To: amc@freelists org
Cc: jkoller@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [amc] AMC Update 2015Jul31
Mennonite Disaster Service flood work in Blanco and Bastrop
May 2015 will go down in history as one of the wettest months across the state
of Texas. By the time Memorial weekend arrived, much of the region was at
least 2-4 inches (100-300%) above normal. These wet conditions meant that any
new rain and especially heavy rain would become run-off directly into rivers,
streams, and flash flood prone areas. Ingredients came together during the
memorial weekend for several rounds of very heavy rain and severe thunderstorms
to develop. Widespread 6-8 inches fell across Bandera, Kerr, Kendall, Blanco
and far west portions of Comal and Hays counties with a max of 10 to 13 inches
of rain across southern Blanco and extreme NE Kendall counties. Most of this
rain fell from Saturday afternoon into the overnight hours of early Sunday
morning, leading to a rapid rise in the Blanco and San Marcos Rivers. The
Blanco River at Wimberley rose from near 5 feet at 9pm to near 41 feet by 1am.
One staggering statistic is that the river rose 5 ft every 15 minutes from
10:45pm to 11:45pm. This equates to a 20ft rise along the river within a one
hour time frame. Numerous high water rescues occurred throughout the late
evening and morning hours along the banks of the Blanco and eventually the San
Marcos Rivers. There were a number of fatalities. There was significant flood
damage<https://www.google.com/search?q=flooding+in+blanco+tx&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS467US467&espv=2&biw=1680&bih=959&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0CB0QsARqFQoTCOP3xfWPhscCFUWYgAod_wYA0g>
in San Marcos, Wimberley, Martindale, and Blanco as well as other areas. The
Bastrop area had flood damage exacerbated by the lack of vegetation after the
2011 wildfires.
Immediate response teams took action and helped people find shelter and
assistance. Homes and property has had debris removed, drywall removed, mud
removed, and have been cleaned and sprayed for mold. Insurance and FEMA funds
are being disbursed. People with insurance and resources have been rebuilding
already. However, long-term recovery organizations are still sifting through
information about people who need help with repairs and rebuilding.
Mennonite Disaster Service typically comes on site some weeks after the initial
cleanup response and engages in helping people who do not have sufficient
resources to recover. MDS has been in conversation with officials in Blanco
and Bastrop and will begin work in Blanco on Tue, Aug 4 with groups from
Seminole and Paris, Texas. This will be a 3-4 week effort.
The MDS Bastrop work will be done with volunteers who come in their RVs and
will begin as early as Sep and perhaps continue through the winter.
Volunteers will be needed to work with the crews in Blanco and there may be
opportunity to work in Bastrop as well. If you are able to work in the heat
and can free up some time please consider helping out. We will get more
specific information out within the week about opportunities for service.
****************************
Sharing of joys and concerns from Sunday, July 26 (the sermon was about hunger)
* Stacy Vlasits - we are heading off to Utah to visit friends. We are
still trying to find a school for Martin for this coming school year.
* Andy - her children's father is in town visiting, the first visit since
they separated. It is difficult, especially for the children.
* Peggy - her godchildren in Houston are on food stamps and it is not easy
to navigate the system.
* Rudy - appreciated the help of food stamps when he was down and out. It
is difficult for people with disabilities to navigate the food stamp system.
* Henry - pray for my wife who is sick.
* Clayton - Hannah made it back from her Georgia trip, now we are heading
to Seattle to visit friends.
* Valery - Glad that Travis made the trip safely from here to Missouri.
Lucas was in an accident while operating an ATV and cut his head.
* Lee - On July 29 celebrating 37th anniversary with Terri.
* Pat - There is food for the taking in the community garden. Donna Wills
had a fall and is experiencing pain.
* Steve Hochstetler - enjoyed camping at Wimbledon with about 5000 people
which helps him visualize the difficulty of feeding such a multitude.
****************************
Schedule for Sunday, August 2, 2015
9:30-10:30a – Sunday School.
* Children begin with singing and then go to separate classes. “God’s
Creation” is the summer 2015 theme.
* Adults meet in Annex 2 using the Adult Bible Study curriculum.
10:30a –snacks, coffee, tea.
11:00a – Worship with open communion.
Noon – Potluck meal. Everyone is invited. After worship we all help in
putting away hymnals, setting up tables, and laying out the food. After
announcements and prayer, we enjoy a fellowship meal together. You are welcome
to help with cleanup afterward too – clean tables, put away tables, sweep
floor, do dishes, etc.
Calendar
Aug 7, FRI, 5:30p – Small group serves meal at the ARCH.
Aug 9, SUN – Sunday school, worship, contemplative prayer.
Aug 16, SUN - Sunday school, worship, young adult lunch.
Aug 20, THU – Women’s group.
Aug 23, SUN – Sunday school, worship, congregational meeting.
Aug 30, SUN – Sunday school, 5th Sunday worship, men’s group.
Lee Lever, Pastor
Austin Mennonite Church
AustinMennonite.org<http://AustinMennonite.org>
