Adventists Respond

Flooded with Grace Gallery

2008-07-16T15:00:00.000-07:00

Teens Flood Chehalis with Service

2008-07-15T14:24:00.000-07:00

Roberta was making a snack when authorities told her she had 20 minutes to leave before flood waters engulfed her house. Leaving 80 years of memories and memorabilia, Roberta lost nearly everything.S

even months later, she’s still piecing together her life. When Seventh-day Adventist volunteers met her recently, Roberta’s birthday was just two days away. After singing “Happy Birthday,” the teenage volunteers helped Roberta clean up her house.

Several months after the Centralia-Chehalis flood, Seventh-day Adventist volunteers continue to help and serve the community.

“Not too many organizations and volunteers stick by for that long, and the community is impressed,” says Colette Newer, a volunteer from Bothell, Wash., who volunteered in the Chehalis area several times. “We made an impression in the community because we’ve been there meeting people in their moment of need.”

Last weekend a group of 60 teenage volunteers including Pathfinders and youth groups from across Western Washington were involved in a weekend mission trip in Chehalis for teens called “Flooded with Grace.”

Friday afternoon, a local resident approached weekend speaker Tony Scarpino, from Mt. Vernon, and asked what was going on. “We said we would be back Sunday,” Scarpino recalls. “And they asked, ‘After church?’ I replied, ‘No, we go to church on Saturday.’ They asked if we were Adventists and when we said, ‘yes,’ they said how much they appreciated our work.”

The teenage volunteers and adult sponsors were able to not only share their faith but more importantly showed their faith by cleaning up debris and giving out free gifts of water bottles, flowers, popcorn, Vacation Bible School invitations, and colorful balloons.

A Shelton member was approached by some picnickers who had received free water bottles already. They asked if the volunteers were Christians, leading into a discussion about God and what they believed.

But it doesn’t end there. On a hot day the youth distributed popsicles to bicyclists on the STP (Seattle to Portland) ride. One man said, “I’ve been thinking of having a popsicle all day,” as a volunteer handed him a refreshing treat.

Impressed by the volunteers’ effort to help, a local organization in Chehalis contributed to the popsicle give-away. They offered to buy more popsicles next time as long as the volunteers promise to come back to lend a helping hand.

“A lot of groups came down at the beginning,” says Doylene Cook, Lewis County Adventist School teacher and trip coordinator, “but Adventists have kept coming. It’s made an impression in the community with our presence.”

Serving Jesus

2008-06-22T14:26:00.000-07:00

When the December floods saturated the Chehalis-Centralia area, little did Seventh-day
Adventist volunteers think that some of the people they helped would eventually show
up at an evangelistic series held at the Centralia Church in the spring.

“We came across people who had completely lost hope,” says Tom James, pastor. “Our church realized that by helping someone with their needs today, we were establishing a relationship with them for the future.”

Throughout the days, weeks, and months since the flood, Adventist volunteers of all ages and from many areas of the conference and beyond came to offer hope and help to the affected communities.

In early January, about 60 local church, conference, and disaster response representatives
met and voted to implement a long-term recovery plan after negotiations with the State of Washington to set up a warehouse fell through. One result of this meeting was hiring Gary Neff and Ross Jones on a contract basis to serve as longterm response coordinators.

“We were finding 100 new jobs a day for six days,” recalls Neff.

With the jobs lining up, volunteers from Chehalis and Centralia Churches, Lewis County Adventist School, Auburn Adventist Academy, Skagit Adventist Academy, North Creek Fellowship, and many individual volunteers showed up to help with cleaning, fencing, delivering, building, and helping and encouraging people.

To conclude the conference-sponsored long term recovery plan, 50 volunteers showed up for “The Big Day” on May 18. Volunteer Colette Newer reports how homeowners off the beaten track were shocked at the willingness of strangers to help others out for free.

“I felt a connection with the people we were serving,” Newer says. “We talked a lot and learned about their lives and who they are.”

Recovery efforts are still in progress. This summer, youth groups, Pathfinders, and volunteers over the age of 13 will participate in a weekend mission trip to Chehalis on July 10-13.

“Flood recovery won’t be over for a long time,” says Doylene Cook, trip organizer and teacher at Lewis County Adventist School. “We invite you to come down to Chehalis for ‘Flooded with Grace’ this July for a mission trip and spiritual retreat.”

NPUC Service Recognized by Washington State Senate

2008-02-25T14:31:00.000-08:00

After attending a lunch for Washington’s private educators with Governor Christine Gregoire Patzer decided to pay a quick visit to Lt. Gov. Brad Owen, who he became friends with some years ago at a Walla Walla College Commencement ceremony.

Upon discovering that Owen was out of his office presiding over a Senate session, Patzer intended to simply leave a business card with a quick greeting. But when Owen’s personal aide found out they both represented Walla Walla University and the Adventist Church, she revealed that she was a graduate of Pacific Union College. Exclaiming that Owen would want to see them, she invited them to accompany her into the wings of the Senate chamber.

When Owen was informed that his friend was in the Capitol, he insisted that both Patzer and McVay sit near him at the rostrum and observe the Senate proceedings for a few minutes. At one point, between regular business, Owen formally introduced Patzer and McVay and led the full room of senators in an ovation.

As they were leaving the senate chamber several senators came out to individually greet the men. Several expressed specific thanks for the relief efforts Adventist churches and members provided during recent floods in their districts.

“It’s clear to me that the Adventist Church is making a positive impact in communities around Washington and the Northwest,” Patzer said. “We are known as a group that is committed to excellence in service and education. The recognition John and I felt there at the Capitol is simply a testament to how the Lord blesses when we reach out to be a positive part of our communities.”

UCA Students Help with Lewis County Flood Relief

2008-02-19T14:33:00.000-08:00

Charlee Kolma, a former student of Lewis Coounty Adventist School, a member of the Centralia Adventist Church, and now a sophmore at Upper Columbia Academy along with her friend Clarissa Reed from Nevada, also a sophmore at UCA, took their home leave to help flood victims in Lewis County.

While working on February 8 they were able to visit with Washington Governor Christine Gregoire. Many of the people including the owners of the Curtis Store which was destroyed by the flooding were impressed with the amount of work the girls accomplished.

Volunteer Gallery

2008-01-27T16:12:00.000-08:00

Volunteers Appreciated at Lewis County Adventist School

2007-12-15T14:17:00.000-08:00

Volunteers (of all ages) are the glue of the Lewis County Adventist School’s community service program.

LCAS is blessed with many adult volunteers helping the school kids help others. The school appreciates the volunteers very much and could not do community service projects without them. Volunteers through LCAS baked bread and cookies, found work sites, supervised kids, sloshed through the mud, shoveled mud, tore out drywall, and washed down dirty kids and muddy boots. The list goes on and on.

The school would particularly like to thank Pastors Chester Schurch and Tom James for adjusting their schedules to help with ninth through eleventh grade worship and Bible class. Their willingness to step in on short notice to teach and help with community service has been greatly appreciated (especially after Principal Dan Baker’s heart attack and recovery).

Making daily adjustments to accommodate the school’s busy community service schedule has become the norm. No two days have looked a like since the flood—particularly for the upper grades. “Flexible” truly is the school’s middle name.

Even with disrupted schedules, students have still maintained willing and cheerful attitudes while helping with community service. Every student was able to help in some way—and that was a good feeling among the student body.

As of last weekend, students have been able to help four families, a farm on Twin Oaks, the Veteran’s Museum, the Salvation Army and the United Way. What mud the kids have not been able to shovel or sweep they have brought back to school on their clothing! The mud is beautiful, however, because it is a mark of service. One day, the first through third graders baked cookies and bread and made cards to distribute to those helping with the flood disaster.

Two students lost their homes in the flooding. They are brave and strong, but their faces tell the story of bewilderment and disbelief. At least one school family’s business was severely damaged, and they are in the arduous mode of recovery.

Prayers on behalf of LCAS, the churches, and the community are greatly appreciated. The Bible says to “…give thanks in all circumstances,” and through service to the community, that’s what Lewis County Adventist School—and others—are trying to do.

Need information or want to donate to flood victims? Visit www.lewiscountyuw.com.

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Based on LCAS Chatter information, a newsletter written by Earlene Wohlers, LCAS office manager

90.5 / 102.3 fm KACS Family Friendly Radio Involved in Flood Response

2007-12-12T14:15:00.000-08:00

In the dark hours through the crest of flooding in Chehalis and Centralia, Washington, local listener supported Adventist station 90.5 fm KACS Family Friendly Radio remained on the air.

With studios on a hillside between the two towns, and above the flood waters, KACS stayed on the air to live announce emergency service information from municipal, state and federal agencies. Every quarter hour KACS gave updated flood watch reports with information from the National Weather Service, the Lewis County Sherriff's Department, The National Geological Survey, The American Red Cross, and Lewis County Search & Rescue. A

fter the flood waters began to subside in Chehalis, KACS stayed on live alert continuing the flood watch for communities downstream where evacuation operations were underway, and rivers began to crest. Flooding temporarily left KACS as the only local radio station on the air in the communities most severely impacted by the flood, and in need of emergency service information.

Coordinating with the Lewis County United Way and Rainier Chapter of the American Red Cross, KACS launched one of the first relief and recovery efforts "Cards for the County."

Through the continuing live broadcasts and station world-wide webstream, KACS invited listeners to buy merchant gift cards from national chain stores including hardware, grocery, fuel and department store retailers. The cards are being packeted and provided to flood victim families so parents and other family members can meet their most immediate needs.

Station Manager Cameron Beierle says, "We activated the Cards for the County campaign almost as soon as the flood waters were arriving as we've seen this approach work so successfully before."

Beierle referred to the previous Cards for Katrina for the Gulf States, and Cards for the Cowlitz in Southwest Washington state. "Last year we were able to coordinate with the White Pass Community Service Association, the American Red Cross and Lewis County United Way to provide 300 flood families card packets totalling near $10,000 after the severe flooding throughout the Upper Cowlitz River valley. Now we can put Cards for the County to work on behalf of the estimated 1500 families without homes in Lewis and Thurston Counties this Christmas season."

Beierle says the merchant gift cards form retailers like Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Sears, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, Safeway Stores, Rite Aid, Exxon, Shell and Texaco will be collected through the end of December.

One KACS listener responded to the relief provided by writing in a Christmas card, "KACS thank-you for being here with me on good days and bad days. Your love comes through the radio. Even with the lights out, I keep you on with a battery operated radio... Just like Job, I lost everything, but you’ve been with us everyday. You are a constant reminder that the Lord is a loving, powerful God. I’ve never experienced His love fully until this year. My children have gone through this long journey with me. It has been hard on all of us. Still there is some good, for I am a new person in Jesus Christ, my Lord. I am now part of the church family, and am overjoyed and honored to say thank you!"

Interested persons can give to flood victim families through "Cards for the County" at the radio station's website, or send merchant gift cards to Cards for the County, c/o KACS Family Friendly Radio, 2451 NE Kresky, Unit A, Chehalis, WA 98532.

Click here to email for more information.

Updates & How You Can Help

2007-12-11T14:12:00.000-08:00

The churches and members of the Washington Conference are responding with love and compassion for the victims of the recent Washington floods. This briefing is to bring you up-to-date with our response to this tragedy.

>>Pastors Tom James and Chester Schurch, along with volunteers from the Centralia, Chehalis and Lacey churches, have been helping local agencies sort donated goods, and victims clear mud and debris from homes.

>>The Disaster Response Van from the Snohomish Community Services Federation is in the area and will be operational by this weekend, reports Mark Terry, Southern Federation President. The van will have supplies to address the specific needs of victims and aid agencies.

>>Students and staff from the Lewis County Adventist School and Auburn Adventist Academy have helped in the clean-up.

>>Byron Dulan, Washington Conference Adventist Community Services Director and Doug Venn, North Pacific Union Conference Disaster Response Coordinator are coordinating plans and efforts with FEMA, and Washington State disaster leaders.

>>Monetary donations are being made through Adventist Community Services to help the victims.

>>The State of Washington has asked ACS - Washington to mobilize our volunteers and “stand by” to manage a donated goods warehouse in the event that existing county agencies request assistance from the State.

>>Conference leaders are recommending that churches take up a special offering to provide assistance to victims on December 15 or December 22, 2007.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
PRAY:
>>For individuals and families devastated by the flood
>>For disaster responders working alongside the victims

DONATE:
>>Cleaning supplies: mops, brooms, dish soap…
>>Rubber Boots
>>Flat nose shovels
>>Blankets
>>Non-perishable food items

Donated Goods should be delivered to the Centralia Church. Call ahead to let them know what you have and when you plan to deliver. Call the Centralia Church at (360)736-4262 or Mark Terry at (425) 213-4107.

VOLUNTEER:
Volunteers will be needed for the next several months to help victims recover and rebuild.
>>For immediate opportunities contact United Way Lewis County at (360) 740-7744.
>>For long-term opportunities visit the conference web site at http://www.washingtonconference.org/ and fill out the Volunteer Information Form. You’ll be contacted as recovery efforts develop. You may also call ACS-Washington at (253) 681-6008.

CONTRIBUTE:
>>Contribute financially through your local church to “Washington Conference Disaster Fund.” Be sure to list your donation under the Conference section of the tithe envelope to ensure your donations are used for the flooding victims.

>>Send your financial contribution directly to:
ACS-Washington
32229 Weyerhaeuser Way South
Federal Way, WA 98001

GET PREPARED
Prophecy reveals that disasters will occur with increasing frequency and intensity prior to Christ’s Second Coming. Prepare now to help your neighbors as these events unfold. Click here for guides on how to get started.

Click here to e-mail for more information.

More Flood Updates

2007-12-10T14:10:00.000-08:00

Washington Conference of Seventh-day Adventists has several updates regarding the recent flooding in the Northwest.

Bob O’Day, co-manager of the Grays Harbor Adventist Food Bank, reports that the Grays Harbor community center did not have any flood water inside, as initially reported. The center was mopping up from freezer thaw, not flooding. They were without power for two days, but suffered no loss of food. Also, the food bank received 16 trays of bread from Franz Bakery (versus the previously reported grocery store).

The expected flooding in Aberdeen and Hoquiam did not occur as anticipated, and the Grays Harbor Church and Community Service Center are all fine, operating as usual, and praising God for His protection.

The Grays Harbor Adventist School Christmas program, where students will be performing a play, is rescheduled to Tuesday, December 11 at 7 p.m. at the school.

Earlene Wohlers, office manager at Lewis County Adventist School, submitted this report this morning:

“Our fourth to eleventh graders went to Boistfort on Friday and helped one of our church families who had water to mid-window height and had been living in their upstairs since the flood. The mud was incredible and even though the students shoveled and swept, a lot of mud was still there. Two of our students and families lost everything. One family has not been allowed to even go inside their apartment to see what may be salvaged. They are both staying with friends and have what they need at this time. There is much red tape to go through for them.

“I had the honor of helping an elderly lady move out of her water-soaked apartment. Her tears mixed with dribble from her nose ran down her face. As I rounded the corner, I heard her saying everyone else had someone to help them, but she didn’t. I let her know I had been sent by United Way and was there to help. She was grateful, first of all for the dry tissue I gave her then, of course, for the help for dragging out soaked belongings.

“Fortunately a couple of angels in overalls from Tacoma showed up and removed the heavy water-logged furniture. A mother and two daughters (another set of angels in human flesh) from the flood-torn area of PeEll also came in and helped get what we could save from the kitchen packed into boxes. The flooded lady had a ceramic collection of ducks which were able to be saved. It is something familiar she can take with her to her new surroundings, wherever they may be. It breaks my heart to see someone with very little suddenly reduced to the clothes on her back and a few ceramic ducks.

“Our ninth to eleventh graders are going out again this afternoon [Monday, December 10] to help a nearby farmer. Our seventh and eighth graders just left to spend a couple hours at the United Way center sorting through donations.

“People call and ask how they can help and I have a hard time knowing what to say. The agencies are inundated with used clothing so that is no longer a need. New coats, gloves, underwear, fans, humidifiers are all needed. Financial help is needed because our local agencies can distribute that without going through a lot of red tape.

“Our principal, Dan Baker, was, in a way, saved by the flood! He was helping a local farmer, along with several others—all of whom were medical and/or emergency room personnel—when he had a heart attack. They immediately did all that was necessary, including getting him in an ambulance to St. Peters in Olympia within record time. They had a stint in place and the blood flowing within 63 minutes, I am told, so they expect minimal heart damage. Had this happened at home or in his car, or even here at school, the expert care would not have been available. Needless to say, we are all very grateful. I am waiting as I write to get an update on him, but he is doing very well from all accounts.”

HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Many caring members of Washington Conference keep asking how they can help. The recommendation, at this time, is to donate to church benevolent funds via Washington Conference. Churches can then distribute funds to the families in need. Individuals wishing to make a donation to church benevolent funds can route their donations through Washington Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 32229 Weyerhaeuser Way South, Federal Way, WA 98001. As an alternate, donations for gift cards can be sent through KACS 90.5, 2451 NE Kresky, Unit A, Chehalis, WA 98532.

Click here to email for more information.

Flood Update from Lewis County Adventist School

2007-12-07T14:09:00.000-08:00

The following message is from Earlene Wohlers, office manager for Lewis County Adventist School in Chehalis, Wash. When first contact via landline, reception was very poor. Washington Conference was able to reach her via cell phone on Wednesday, when she as just entering the school for the first time since the flooding began. While the school is fine, many of the roads leading to the school were flooded.

Earlene writes:

"Thank you for calling the other day regarding victims of flooding. We are gradually learning of church members who have been affected. Several have completely lost everything. [One lady] had water to the roof. She got out in a canoe and is with her son. The [LACS] students today are going to help [a family] who had water to the second story and have been living above the flood for many days.

"A student’s family lost everything and are just trying to cope. A single church member has to get out of her flooded apartment today - we hope to go out to help her. A few will help with the Salvation Army and perhaps another group will help sort clothes at the United Way distribution center.

"Several others were flooded but have been able to clean up as it was an inch or two into their house. We have one student we have not been able to contact and are certain they are in a shelter somewhere. Several of our members’ businesses were flooded and they are frantically digging out. I know of two dental offices and one optometrist office. Others had to evacuate but came back to a house that was not flooded into the main part of the house.

"I am sure there are many stories from church members yet to come. We have no idea (yet) of (all) their circumstances."

Washington Conference anticipates better knowing in the next couple days how generous-and-giving church members can help their fellow church members. Stay tuned for more information. Please note: the primary news distribution route is through the Sailing with Jesus e-mail list.

Click here to e-mail for more information.

Initial Chehalis-Centralia Flood Report

2007-12-05T14:07:00.000-08:00

Federal Way, Wash. (December 5) – Significant flood damage is impacting regions of the Northwest after a storm swept through the area earlier this week.

Washington Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, located in Federal Way, has contacted churches and schools possibly impacted by flooding. The following list is the information currently available, and is subject to change as more information becomes available.

Bremerton Adventist Church and Kitsap Adventist School (facilities across the street from each other) are both fine, but two bridges to reach the church and school are apparently washed out or impassable. The church is looking for facilities to rent and the school is temporarily meeting in the Port Orchard Adventist Church gymnasium. The school has some books or supplies available.

A windstorm took out electricity at the Grays Harbor Adventist Church and School. Both facilities are expected to reopen once electricity is returned. Thanks to the power outage, the Adventist Community Service Center in Grays Harbor is mopping up from thawed freezers. Wilma O’Day, from Aberdeen, said a group made their usual run to a local bakery today for bread donations for the food bank, set to open as usual tomorrow.
The concern now in the Grays Harbor and Aberdeen areas is the drain-off from the Lewis County flooding. Residents were told to expect even higher water levels—especially with high tide. The outcome is still not clear.

Chehalis Adventist Church has cancelled church services and a 4:30 p.m. sing-a-long Messiah concert scheduled for this weekend (the sing-a-long is not expected to be rescheduled). Earlene Wohlers, school secretary for Lewis County Adventist School, reported that the church water supply was contaminated due to flooding, but the school water system was fine. Both the church and school facilities are fine (as the facilities are located on higher ground), but many of the roads leading to the church and school are flooded.

“We have 3-6 families flooded and will lose most of their things,” said Cindy Schurch, office manager at Chehalis Church, via e-mail. “We have several who owned businesses who have suffered much damage. We are all doing OK and thank God for His care over us.”

Centralia Adventist Church, just up the road from Chehalis, is fine. A main image on the Seattle Post Intelligencer actually pictures a flood scene with the Centralia Church on the right side of the photo. The flood water is close, but not impacting the church. Centralia Church will host a dual-church service with Chehalis on Saturday, December 8.

“The church is in fine shape,” said Tom James, Centralia pastor. “The church has no problems at all. As far as we know, all members are OK.”

Phone service in Chehalis is spotty. Up to six Adventist families in Chehalis are flooded. Wohlers said they are still trying to contact school families. Lewis County teachers and students will be participating in community clean up and outreach once the water levels recede, the Washington Conference Office of Education reported.

“We are trying to learn the extent of damage,” Wohlers said. “Most of what we know is by rumor. We can’t get a hold of many families, but we keep trying.”

Radio station KACS 90.5 FM, located in Chehalis, is still broadcasting and is working with United Way and Red Cross to collect gift cards, as 100 percent of the proceeds go to the recipients, to distribute to people whose homes are flooded. Approximately 200 homes are flooded, according to Colleen Beierle, who answered the phone at the radio station.

Donations for gift cards can be sent to KACS 90.5, 2451 NE Kresky, Unit A, Chehalis, WA 98532; and for more information, call 1-800-447-5227. Individuals wishing to make a donation to church benevolent funds can route their donations through Washington Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 32229 Weyerhaeuser Way South, Federal Way, WA 98001.

At least three other churches—Shelton, Willapa Harbor, and Elma—may be impacted as well, but no reports have come in yet. Washington Conference will continue checking in with churches and schools to access their needs and will keep everyone posted.

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This story contains corrections (December 10, 2007).