Episcopal Diocese of Albany - Priests and Deacons Update

Business Office: 68 South Swan Street - Albany, NY 12210 - (518) 465-4737
Christ the King Spiritual Life Center: 575 Burton Road - Greenwich, NY 12834 - (518) 692-9550

July 5th, 2006

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ

Last Sunday, Mary Ellen and I worshiped with the faithful at St. Matthew's, Unadilla. As you may be aware, the village of Unadilla flooded last week about this time. The bottom floor of the Rectory was submerged, destroying everything on that level. The basement of the church was also submerged, destroying the office - furniture, computers, records, files, equipment, plus the Sunday School rooms, furniture, and equipment...All destroyed!

As I led the Eucharist and Scott Garno preached, I saw God in action, comforting His people, focusing them on Him. Jesus was present to them in the Eucharist and in the Word read and preached. Although many of the people in the congregation had experienced uncontrolled water running through their homes, they had hope. And now they are all digging out - cleaning mud, throwing away destroyed treasures, trying to figure out what to do next. Please pray for these good people. I told them you would. By the way, this was Scott's second Sunday as Rector!

We next drove to Sydney, to visit with St. Paul's Church. Alas, the town was closed! National Guardsmen were at the roads leading into town. I called Deacon Jim Shevlin on his cell phone. He was at the church assessing the damage. The bottom floor of St Paul's is also destroyed - parish hall, kitchen, office, Sunday School rooms...totally destroyed. The downtown area was under water. It will be months before things return to normal. Please pray for the people of St. Paul's, Sydney as they dig out.

We have heard from Mother Sue Cole at Christ Church, Walton. Although they had little damage to the church and rectory (water in the basements), the downtown area of Walton was totally flooded. It will be a long time before things return to normal there. A number of parishioners were affected. Pray for them.

[Photos from Linda Miller at Walton]

We are still trying to get in touch with priests, deacons of parishes along the rivers. Parishioners of Grace, Mohawk were flooded, though the church received no damage. Canajoharie was flooded, though the church and rectory are on high ground - have not heard of any damage to those buildings. St. John's, Delhi, suffered no damage, though some parishioners got flooded out. St James, Oneonta, had their church basement flooded - the youth room badly damaged.

I have just given you a review of everything I know. The other thing I know is that most insurance policies do not cover floods, unless there has been a flood rider purchased. The affected parishes are checking their insurance now to see if they are covered. FEMA has promised some assistance. Episcopal Relief and Development and Anglican Relief and Development have been contacted, to provide relief. If you would like to personally help, you might write a check to the two churches most affected - St Matthew's, Unadilla and St. Paul's, Sydney.

Thanks for caring and for praying.

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