Loading...From the Diocese of Oklahoma website:
If you would like to make a financial contribution to help in those efforts, please make your check payable to "The Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma." In the notation line write "Tornado relief."
Send checks to:
Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma
924 North Robinson
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
Financial support may also be made online through Episcopal Relief and Development at this link: //www.episcopalrelief.org/what-you-can-do/donate-now/individual-donation
Additionally, I call on every congregation in our diocese to review your safety plan in the event a tornado siren sounds during worship or at any other time while people are in your building. This includes making sure designated shelter areas are never cluttered and are accessible at all times, and that clergy and lay leaders (ie: ushers, choir directors, youth leaders, priests, deacons) as well as the leaders of non-parish groups using your building(s), know where shelters are located. In the event a storm warning siren sounds, do not hesitate to suspend a Service or activity and direct people to safety.
The Bishop of Oklahoma has asked for our prayers in the wake of devastating storms. Thank you for your personal prayers and the prayers of your congregation at all liturgies in the days ahead. Here are a few resources in addition to prayers found in The Book of Common Prayer.
Prayers in Time of Disaster
On the Occasion of a Disaster
Compassionate God… Draw near to us in this time of sorrow and anguish, comfort those who mourn, strengthen those who are weary, encourage those in despair, and lead us all to fullness of life; through the same Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen
— Holy Women, Holy Men: Celebrating the Saints (Church Publishing: New York), page 733
A Prayer for First Responders
Blessed are you, Lord, God of mercy, who through your Son gave us a marvelous example of charity and the great commandment of love for one another. Send down your blessings on these your servants, who so generously devote themselves to helping others. Grant them courage when they are afraid, wisdom when they must make quick decisions, strength when they are weary, and compassion in all their work. When the alarm sounds and they are called to aid both friend and stranger, let them faithfully serve you in their neighbor. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
— Adapted from the Book of Blessings, #587, by Diana Macalintal
Prayer for Preparedness and Response
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, from the Episcopal Diocese of New York disaster preparedness plan
