Diocesan Preparedness Month: Church Preparedness

Over the last few weeks, TEDRD has sponsored Parish Emergency Planning Workshops in three areas across the Diocese. These events were an opportunity to learn about preparing our churches for disasters and to share suggestions and experiences.

We'd like to offer a big "Thank You!" to the churches that participated in the workshops held in Austin, Houston, and Lufkin:

Christ Church, Nacogdoches

Church of the Redeemer, Houston

Emmanuel, Houston

Epiphany, Burnet

Epiphany, Houston

Good Shepherd, Friendswood

Good Shepherd, Kingwood

Grace, Houston

Holy Comforter, Angleton

Holy Spirit, Waco

St. Andrew's, Pearland

St. Barnabas, Houston

St. Bartholomew's, Hempstead

St. Christopher's, Houston

St. Cyprian's, Lufkin

St. John's, Houston

St. Luke's, Livingston

St. Mark's Richmond

St. Matthew's, Austin

St. Matthew's, Henderson

St. Paul's, Woodville

St. Philip's, Palestine

St. Richard's, Round Rock

St. Thomas, Houston

Trinity, Anahuac

Trinity, Marshall

We are very grateful also for the congregations of St. Michael's, Austin; Emmanuel, Houston; and St. Cyprian's, Lufkin, who allowed us to use their facilities and equipment, and even provided snacks/meals for our participants!

Even if you were unable to attend these workshops, resources are available to assist you in building an emergency plan to fit your congregation.

Texas Episcopal Disaster Relief and Development has published a guide called "Parish Emergency Planning," created specifically for Episcopal churches of the Diocese of Texas, though the information could be easily translated to fit any church of any denomination.

Available for download at www.epicenter.org/preparedness, the guide presents emergency planning in a simple, easy-to-use workbook format.

Download the guide and start planning today; you never know when disaster may strike.