Title: Texas flood relief flows as water subsides
Date: November 3, 1998
Disciples News Service Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: news@cm.disciples.org
98c-67
INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- As Texas dries out after nearly a quarter of the state was flooded by overflowing creeks, lakes and rivers, Disciples are responding with aid.
Some 17 Disciples families lost their homes and eight church buildings had some water damage. The Disciples Conference Center, a camp facility co-owned by the Coastal Plains and Bluebonnet areas had minor water damage in the kitchen. South Shore Christian Church in Corpus Christi had started major roof repairs prior to the rains. The plastic sheeting covering the sanctuary blew away and the congregation suffered significant loss to interior walls, flooring and furnishings.
Week of Compassion, the relief and recovery fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), has responded with emergency grants totaling $6,250 to assist the affected families. A gift of $2,000 has been forward to Church World Service for their work with interfaith partners. As the damage assessment increases, additional funds will be sent, according to the Rev. Johnny Wray, Week of Compassion, director.
In San Marcos, Texas, just northeast of San Antonio, about a dozen parishioners' homes were destroyed or damaged. Many members of the First Christian Church there had water in their homes, even those who live outside the flood plain. Members Tim and Rose Tempfer opened their Woodcreek Lodge to flood victims. The lodge also served as a depot for Red Cross emergency provisions.
"Week of Compassion was one the first phone calls we received," said the Rev. Amy Elder, First Church associate pastor. "They responded with cash help."
The following churches sustained water. University Church, Hyde Park Church and Central Church, Austin; and Central Church, Alamo Heights Church, Rolling Oaks Church and Mexican Church, San Antonio.
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