Post-Hurricane Ike Update 9/18

The publisher of the Galveston County Daily News has an editorial in yesterday's edition that is harshly critical of Galveston Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas.  He seems to be promoting the notion that this is an election rather than a natural disaster.  Decisions that are being executed by the Mayor are driven by people who are the best in the world in disaster recovery operations.

Please, please do not attempt to return to Galveston Island until public officials say it is safe. I have received reports that people working in certain areas of the island are required to wear hazardous materials gear and masks due to the toxic nature of the environment.  One of our parishioners stayed through the storm and cut his foot trying to remove debris.  It quickly became infected due to the dirty water.  John Sealy Hospital could not help him so he had to be taken to Dallas where he was hospitalized and is being treated for a very serious infection.  Another parishioner had two flats due to nails in the street.

All of this has been been confirmed by Galveston County public officials at this morning's press conference.  There is another press conference scheduled at 4:00 p.m. this afternoon.  If you are outside the viewing area for Houston stations, try going to any of their websites to watch.

We are all anxious about our property.  However, as Christians, we are grounded in the belief that people are more important than possessions.  Remediation companies are already at work addressing the most urgent damage.  The Allcat Disaster Services crew is already at work in Trinity Episcopal School, which was worst hit, and moving toward the nave.  I want to urge everyone to contact your insurance company and see what arrangements can be made for remediation at your property by crews that are already on the island doing that for others.  These services should be covered by the insurance companies and using them will make it possible for you to stay off the island until it is safe to return.

Here is a photograph of the traffic we will face when we try to return if we all try at once.  I received a report yesterday that during the "look and leave" period, traffic was backed up to LaMarque (approximately ten miles).

We are attempting to set up a temporary office at the Diocesan Center in Houston.  Watch for further details.

Anyone in position to make contributions to Trinity either for storm recovery or for regular giving are asked to use the DONATE button on the church homepage www.trinitygalv.org.  If you must use a paper check, send it to

Galveston's Trinity Episcopal Church
c/o The Episcopal Diocese of Texas
      1225 Texas Avenue
      Houston, Texas 77002

Make your check payable to The Episcopal Diocese of Texas and note that your gift is for Galveston's Trinity Church, either for "Storm Recovery Fund" or "Operations."  The Treasurer of the Diocese is prepared to assist us with proper accounting for these contributions until we are able to handle them ourselves. 

Also, I am attempting to forward all Trinity Church and School mail to the Diocesan Center in hopes we can begin to handle business as funds are available.  Church Insurance, The Diocese of Texas, and Episcopal Relief and Development are all in the process of helping address funding during this critical period.

Photographs of damage at Trinity are now available on our website:  www.trinitygalv.org .

We have quite a few evacuees in the Austin area.  Fr. Merrill Wade, Rector of St. Matthew's Church, Austin, has invited us all to worship together with his flock at 10:30 a.m. this Sunday.  Fr. Paul Wehner and I will be in the service to offer prayers and words of comfort for coastal evacuees and gratitude for those who are giving us shelter and those who have gone into harm's way to begin the cleanup operation.  St. Matthew's Church is located at 8134 Mesa Dr., Austin, Texas 78759.  Their website is: www.stmattsaustin.org.  Phone (512) 345-8314.  Please pass the word!

Cathedral Dean Joe Reynolds has invited evacuees in the Houston area to worship together at Christ Church Cathedral at the 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. services.  Fr. David Dearman will be assisting in the services this Sunday.  Christ Church Cathedral is located at 1117 Texas Avenue, Houston, Texas 77002.  Their website is: www.christchurchcathedral.org.  Phone (713) 222-2593.  Please pass the word!

I ask you to continue to monitor www.e-piphanies.com and post comments to share information regarding your whereabouts and well being and offer words of hope and encouragement to one another during this recovery process.  And continue to pray for all whose lives are affected by Hurricane Ike, those who are sheltering us, and those who are in harm's way.

Faithfully,

Ron+