Superstorm Sandy will leave an indelible marks on our communities, our church, and our individual lives. For many it has created an immense and ongoing grief, as they have been torn away from their homes and displaced indefinitely. For others the storm has destroyed businesses and inflicted economic losses. The current crisis will slowly give way to a much longer period of recovery and restoration.

Amidst the struggle and difficulty there is an historic and unprecedented opportunity to witness to God’s love and compassion. We will be partnering with other churches in an effort called Jersey Shore United, to marshal and deploy help, catalogue needs, and to communicate with one another and the rest of the country.

Within PCTR we are developing a Superstorm Sandy Recovery Team that will reach out to members and neighbors in the worst affected areas, respond with help and volunteer labor, evaluate needs and distribute resources, provide pastoral support, and communicate with our church our community. We will also partner with our township and country, as well as the Red Cross, Samaritan’s Purse, Operation Blessing, and the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance organization.

Please pray for these efforts, listen in church and look in Tower Time and on this website for opportunities to help. It is not the beginning of the end, but the end of the beginning in our recovery but we serve a God who specializes in restoration. May our characters deepen, our faith grow, and our hearts widen in this tough time.
Yours faithfully,
David