July 11, 2024
Dear Ones,
Once again, just a year after Montpelier, Barre, and several other communities were hit by devastating floods, the remnants of Hurricane Beryl are creating another deluge in central Vermont and the Northeast Kingdom. We know that many of our communities and congregations are already involved in recovery efforts, and we want to provide you with support and technical assistance as well as prayer and pastoral care.
If your congregation or community is contending with flood damage, please be in touch with Canon Susan Ohlidal at 802-391-7127 or sohlidal@diovermont.org or Deacon Geof Smith at 646-860-5292 or deacongeof@outlook.com or to let us know how we can help you. Please also report claims to Church Insurance immediately by phone at 800-223-5705 (press 1 to be connected to claims intake staff) or by email at claims@cpg.org. If you need assistance with the claims process, please let Deacon Smith know.
If your community is not affected by flooding, I ask you once again to donate to our flood recovery efforts so that we can help congregations contend with daunting insurance deductibles and pressing community needs. You can give online here.
Most of all, please pray for all Vermonters who are suffering in the aftermath of Beryl. I invite you to join me and the community of the Green Mountain Online Abbey tomorrow, Friday, July 12 at 8 p.m. to pray together on Zoom for all those in harm’s way from climate change. Find information about how to pray with the Abbey.
O God, our times are in your hand. In the midst of uncertainty lead us by your never-failing grace as we seek to be agents of healing and hope. Walk with us through difficult times; watch over us in danger; and give to us a spirit of love and compassion for those who suffer and mourn. And finally remind us that you have promised never to leave us so that even in the valley of the shadow of death your love may be felt, through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
— The Rev. Lyndon Harris, Episcopal Diocese of New York
May God bless and protect you.
Peace and blessings,
