From the Pastor
St. Augustine’s Deacon Serves at Disaster Recovery Office
Our deacon, Brother Simeon (Lewis) Powell served at the Park Fire Chico Local Assistance Center on Friday August 9th. It was a full day of assisting survivors of the Park Fire near and around the Chico area. At this location, they assisted with gift cards for food and transportation. The average number of people helped is 100 per day. The diocese has been raising funds for this effort with all donations going to the assistance of the survivors of the fire.
The Park Fire started on July 24, 2024, as the result of a criminal act. Since that time, tens of thousands of people have been directly or indirectly impacted by this consuming blaze, due to evacuation, loss, support of the community, or reliving past traumas attached to prior experience. Your Diocese has been walking with the survivors since the morning of July 25th, 2024.
To date, the Northern California Episcopal Diocese have shared over $15,000 in gift cards for food, fuel, sundries, and 75 Project (Re)Start bins. The generosity of the congregations involved in making bins is humbling, and the financial response to this disaster has been truly awesome!
In Chico, Butte County opened a Local Assistance Center to help Park Fire survivors to get their feet back under them. A Local Assistance Center (LAC) is a one stop shop where government agencies can replace documents, and other needed information, the insurance companies can explain how the claim process works from here, legal organizations share what support can be expected from lawyers and courts, and faith based groups provide immediate needs funding and other immediate material needs.
One story told is that Tim Tribble of the Mission at St. Matthew’s, Sacramento, observed a young lady without shoes, so he asked for her size and left the LAC to bring her a new pair of shoes. The young lady was overwhelmed by the gesture and broke down at the table, sharing that she had lost her house in Paradise and then moved to Cohasset with her boyfriend. This family did not lose their home, and they are the only house saved in a large area of destruction – the neighbors gathered on their porch to mourn their neighborhood. Tim said while we provided almost no assistance to these folks, they took the time to sit with us in a place of safety and shared that we did more for them than the agencies who provided high value resources. Please keep Bri and Don in your prayers as they return home, restock their fridge, and enjoy the new shoes!
The Diocese is currently sharing over $2,000 per day at the LAC and they continue to ask for your assistance by way of donations to the bishop’s disaster fund, participation in Project (Re)Start, and volunteering at the LAC to share time with our neighbors.
If you would like to give to the bishop’s disaster fund, give here to disaster relief.Following is a narrative from Br. Simeon.... Attached are a few pictures from our presence at the Park Fire Chico Local Assistance Center on Friday, August 9. The first picture has Sherry Wallmark from St. John’s Episcopal Church, Chico, Br. Simeon, and The Rev. Richard Yale, retired priest from St. John’s, Chico.  |
The next picture is a glimpse of Br. Simeon, the Rev. Mark Dibelka, Disaster Recovery Officer for the Diocese of Northern California, Bishop Megan Traquair, our Bishop Visitor, and Fr. Richard.  |
The last picture has Fr. Dibelka, Bishop Megan and Fr. Yale.
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