You may share heartbreak over the devastation of the tornadoes last week in southern Illinois, Kentucky, and over a huge swath of the southern central region of the United States. If you or your family or friends have related personal prayer concerns, please do not hesitate to forward names for the parish prayer list to Pam Blass in the church office. ()

I am pleased to report that the Outreach Committee of St. Michael’s has pledged $3,000.00 to be directed to tornado disaster relief. Additionally, I urge you to share with your family, neighbors, friends, colleagues or others that Episcopal Relief and Development, a non-profit agency tied with the Episcopal Church USA, invites contributions to be directed to tornado relief via its US Disaster Fund. I suggest Episcopal Relief and Development is an outstanding example of how the Episcopal Church collectively serves to respect the dignity of every human being.

Here is a copy of email I received from Episcopal Relief and Development earlier this week about the tornado relief effort:

“The tornadoes that swept the mid-Mississippi Valley were the most powerful we've seen in a decade. Fifty twisters left a 200-mile path of destruction that devastated the region — and left 100,000 homes without power. So as we help communities affected, we are urgently asking for your support. “Your gift today will help us act quickly to support Episcopal dioceses in areas hit hardest, as we have extensive experience preparing for and responding to disasters.

“Right now, communities are still in the rescue phase. Assessments are well under way — and while it will surely be weeks until we know the full extent of the damage, we're doing everything we can to connect with diocesan leaders in affected states to form a ground response as swiftly as possible.

“Please make an urgent donation to our US Disaster Fund today. You will help provide immediate help from food to blankets to pastoral care — bringing relief and comfort to those in the wake of catastrophic storms. “Thank you in advance for your compassion, and for praying for those affected by the tornadoes.

“P.S. The tornadoes that swept a 200-mile trail of destruction across the Central and Southern US were the most powerful we've seen in at least a decade. We need our faith community to come together to support those affected by this catastrophic event — and right now, whatever you give will automatically double as part of our 2021 Year-End Match. Please, will you make an urgent matched gift to our US Disaster Fund today to help us both provide immediate and long-term assistance?”

Please donate here: https://support.episcopalrelief.org/disasters?ID=211213DPADS0100&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=fy21tornado&utm_source=211213DPADS0100