Second and Pearson Streets, Auburn, PA 17922

St. John’s Disaster Ministries

 “Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

 From time to time, people experience devastating disasters that create a fundamental change in their lives: floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, medical, auto accidents, mine cave-in’s, etc.  Think back over your own life.  How many challenges have burdened you over the years?  How would a willing hand have helped to make your burden lighter and eased your concerns?

You now have an opportunity to reach out to others during the event of a natural or technological disaster through our Disaster Ministries.  All it takes is your willingness to move beyond your own needs and provide assistance to those who are hurting and need our help.  St. John's Church is a partner in the work of the Disaster Ministries Team of the PA Southeast Conference, United Church of Christ, and Lutheran Disaster Ministries through Lutheran Congregational Services.  More information about the response of the UCC and Lutheran denominations to disaster and tragedy can be found at http://www.elca.org/disaster/ and http://www.ucc.org/disaster/alerts-usa.html.

The goal of Disaster Ministries is to be able to provide immediate assistance to those within our communities who have suffered a serious setback due to a natural or technological disaster.  Our church has long financially supported those in need, but it also takes a group of willing volunteers to make this happen.  Skills such as carpentry, animal assistance, medical, electrical, counseling and social work, to name a few, are needed.  If you would like to help with this ministry talk with our Disaster Response Coordinator, Rich Grickis.  

CHURCH WORLD SERVICE NEEDS KITS

CWS is asking congregations and groups to help replenish the supply of CWS Emergency Clean-up Buckets and Baby Kits for distribution to domestic and international partners. Most recently, Church World Service has provided Emergency Clean-up Buckets to partners in Missouri and Arkansas for clean-up following storms and floods there. And CWS Baby Kits are being distributed to vulnerable families in Kenya, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi. Completed buckets and baby kits can be dropped off at the Brethren Service Center, 601 Main St., New Windsor, MD 21776. For more information on kits, visit www.churchworldservice.org/kits.

 

ICE -  Emergency Numbers in your Cell Phone

We all carry our mobile phones with names & numbers stored in its memory but nobody, other than ourselves, knows which of these numbers belong to our closest family or friends.

If we were to be involved in an accident or were taken ill, the people attending us would have our mobile phone but wouldn't know who to call. Yes, there are hundreds of numbers stored but which one is the contact person in case of an emergency?  One growing way to solve this problem is  "ICE" (In Case of Emergency).

All you need to do is store the number of a contact person or persons who should be contacted during emergency under the name "ICE" ( In Case Of Emergency).  

In an emergency situation, Emergency Service personnel and hospital Staff would be able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialing the number you have stored as "ICE." For more than one contact name simply enter ICE1, ICE2 and ICE3 etc.

 Disaster Ministries Education Corner

Here are some helpful tips to assist your family in the event of a disaster or major storm in our community:

General Safety and Tips

Serious injury can result for anyone dealing with the aftermath of a major storm, tornado or other disaster, so it’s wise to be overly cautious. 

• Walk or drive cautiously.  Debris-filled streets are dangerous.  Snakes and rodents may be a hazard.  Washouts weaken road and bridge structures and can collapse under vehicle weight.
• Before entering a building, check for structural damage.  Turn off any outside gas lines and let the house air out for several minutes to remove escaping gas.
• When entering a building, don’t use open flame as a light source.  Use a battery powered flashlight.
• Be sure children are safe and cared for at all times. 
• Treat and clean all minor wounds quickly to avoid infection.
• Keep chemicals used for disinfecting and poisons used for insect and rodent control out of the reach of children.
• Wear protective clothing on legs, arms, feet and hands while cleaning up debris.  Wear rubber gloves while scrubbing flood damaged interiors and furniture.
• Pace yourself.  You may be working long hours to clean up after a disaster.  Drink lots of water and take frequent breaks, when possible.

Pandemic Planning

Click here for important information from the American Red Cross on how you and your family can plan for the possibility of a pandemic outbreak.

Water

After a major storm, you must assume that all water sources are contaminated until proven safe.  Purify all water used for drinking, cooking, and for cleaning cooking utensils.  Also, purify the water used for washing hands, body, and kitchen and bathroom surfaces.

To disinfect water, use one of the following methods:

1)      Boil water at a rolling boil for 10 minutes.

2)      Add 8 drops of liquid chlorine bleach, such as Clorox, per gallon of water.  Make sure the bleach has no active ingredient other than 4%-6% sodium hypochlorite.  Mix the bleach and water thoroughly.  Let it stand for 30 minutes.  The water should still have a slight chlorine odor.  If it does not, add another dose of chlorine and let it stand for another 15 minutes.

3)      Add 20 drops of 2% iodine per gallon of clear water or 40 drops per gallon of cloudy water.

Send mail to office@stjohnsunionchurch.org with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 10/30/07