Ike post 1

Subject: Hurricane Ike preparations
Okay, Ike seems heading our way or at least near us. I am confident that you have been informed about the evacuations. Please heed our leaders’ guidance. The key to getting through these kinds of situations is to work together.
The staff has begun enacting our disaster plan. Here are some important information.
1. Communication: I will post to our website, welcometopeace.com information. We will be doing a phone tree today for those without web access. We will also be putting information on our phone answering machine in the office. I will be directing you to our Blog that will be linked to our website. On the blog you can post comments and questions. If you evacuate, contact the church office or post to the blog. If we lose phone service and electricity, communication will be posted on the office door.
2. Care for People: The church is here to help you. If you feel you need to leave your home, I urge you to go to a relative, friend or an approved shelter. They have the resources to sustain you through the uncertainty of the next week. If you would like to ride out the storm at the church, contact me at 713-992-0915. This is an option for you, but remember we are not equipped with relief supplies. So if you do come, bring water, sleeping stuff, non-perishable food, and clothes with you. We will not take any flammable things inside the church. I am not leaving and will be staying at either my apartment at The Park on Fairmont (6060 Fairmont Parkway #15208, next to the HEB by the church) or the church. Care for our people is our first priority at Peace. If you need help, contact me or the church office.
3. Care for our property: The staff is securing records and items as the disaster plan indicates. We will do our best.
4. Spiritual Care: We will be having services no matter what at Peace on Sunday at regular service times (Be sure to bring your cross). Because of the Saturday landfall, we do not have time to communicate a change in service times. This is important: Due to the uncertainty of Sunday, we are canceling Sunday School for this Sunday. I am encouraging all of us to be in prayer and use our spiritual resources to find calm. Remember the most important response to storms is to find a sense of calm so that you can make good decisions. God is a mighty source of strength. I urge you to read Psalm 46 and hear its message. Be the eye of the storm not the swirling winds and waves. If you need pastoral care, call me or the church office
5. Remember you are not alone. One of the great and wonderful blessings of following Christ is that we have our God’s help and we have each other. Peace is wonderful community of caring people and we will help each other and our neighbors. If you see an opportunity for ministry to others, do it. Call your church members and check in with them.

6. Helpful hints:

a. Do your laundry and then fill up your washing machine with water. Use this water for non-potable purposes.
b. Turn your refrigerator and freezer to lowest settings. After you lose power tape the door shut for added insulation and sealing
c. Be sure to fill up containers with water, including bathtubs
d. Fully charge your cell phone and turn it off when you are not using it. Check periodically for voice messages.
e. Most importantly have a positive attitude and look for solutions instead of dwelling on problems.