 Coatesville, a town of about 12,000, has been terrorized by 30 reported arsons in just over a year, including 15 occurring since January 1, 2009.
Last Saturday a suspicious fire destroyed a block of 15 row homes and left around 60 people homeless, and a community galvanized into action. The most recent reported arson was this past Tuesday night. Since Saturday, the city and county governments have organized services for victims and the local Ministers' Alliance has developed a coordinated effort to receive donations of many kinds.
|
In this difficult time, we continue to hold our neighbors in Coatesville in prayer:
Merciful God, be present with our sisters and brothers in Coatesville as they endure a state of emergency in the midst of a string of arson fires. Comfort and provide for all those who lost homes and possessions in the most recent fires that devastated 15 homes; empower and encourage the city leaders, disaster workers, churches and other agencies as they respond to this crisis; and make your peace and hope known to all who live in fear. Help us to be generous in our giving of time, energy and resources as they are needed. Lord, in your mercy...Hear our prayer. |
Julia Menzo, coordinator of Lutheran Disaster Relief in Southeastern Pennsylvania, was part of a town meeting Wednesday at which residents expressed their needs, fear .and frustration. She offers this report:
Last night the auditorium in Gordon Elementary in Coatesville was packed with concerned residents attending a community meeting to hear reports on the investigation, donations management, and the status of affected families. A passionate appeal was made for residents to be watchful, to illuminate their city, and to remove all debris from their porches. Residents were asked to listen closely to their children about what they see and hear as they go about their days. Applications were distributed for citizens who wish to be block captains for the Town Watch program. Residents had the opportunity to voice concerns and make suggestions about this continuing crisis.
Pastor John Carlson of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd and the congregation there continue to be active in the Ministers' Alliance at this very anxious time. And in turn, Pastor Carlson wishes to extend thanks to the many individuals and congregations from around the Synod who have reached out to help. Pastor Carlson reports that because of the tremendous outpouring of gifts, that food and clothing needs are met for the time being. There is still a question as to whether there is still a need for housing. As in all disasters, things are very chaotic and information and needs are constantly changing. To learn the latest on needs, visit their website at www.coatesvillerelief.blogspot.com
The most urgent needs are for monetary donations and for furniture as a short-term goal of the Ministers' Alliance is to have apartments ready by this Saturday for many of the displaced families. For donations inquiries, contact Pastor Keith Wilburn from New Community Christian Church (meeting at Olivet United Methodist Church) at 610.716.6999.
Monetary donations can be sent to Citadel Federal Credit Union, located at 3030 Zinn Rd., Thorndale, PA 19372. Donations should be earmarked for a.) Victims of the Coatesville Fires or b.) Reward fund for locating the perpetrators of the arsons. For more information, visit their website at pcu.citadelfcu.org.
In the midst of this, Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) will support Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in that congregation's service to its community, will offer support to the Minister's Alliance, and will communicate unmet needs to the Lutheran community in Southeast Pa.
This community still must wake up each day to send its people about their business, its children to school, and its government to meet the many demands of civic life. In the midst of this there is at the same time a sense of good feeling as Coatesville and its neighbors pull together to meet needs, and of terror in not knowing what will happen this night. As urgent as anything are great prayers for this community.
A Community Prayer Empowerment Service will be held this Saturday, Jan. 31, at noon at the Tabernacle Baptist Church, 819 Coates Street. It is sponsored by the Virtuous Sisters of Christ Ministries, who maintain a Prayer Hotline at 610.563.6699.
|
|
