“SEMPER GUMBY” IS THE MOTTO FOR THE ROSEBUD EPISCOPAL MISSION
“Semper Gumby,” a mix of Latin and nod to the clay animation cartoon character, a phrase used regularly by the Rosebud Episcopal Mission means “always flexible.” Each day, the Rev. Dr. Lauren Stanley, Erroll Geboe, Danny Gangone and other members of their COVID-19 response team face failing infrastructure and a lack of medical supplies which causes a range of need, and they do their best to find the items. It is with great heart that they assess needs and deliver supplies over a widespread area in coordination with the Sioux Tribe health representatives and the community chairman. By working with an established point person, they are able to maintain the privacy of individuals making requests for aid, asking for anything from eggs to pencils and crayons to entertain out-of-school children. “I received a call from one of our elders, to whom we normally supply firewood through our #FirewoodfortheElders program. I thought she was calling for firewood, because it had been very cold the night before (38 degrees),” said the Rev. Dr. Lauren Stanley, who leads the efforts. “Instead, she was calling simply to say, ‘Thank you’ for helping her get supplies. She said she was beginning to get desperate for bleach and other cleaning supplies, because of her own health, and the health of her grandchildren, whom she is raising. That call alone made all the miles worth it.”
United States
Episcopal Relief & Development’s US Disaster Program is supporting dioceses in light of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Resource Library
Episcopal Relief & Development offers diverse resources for disaster preparedness and response, clergy care and formation for adults and children. Explore the Resource Library to find tools for many different occasions.
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During these moments of uncertainty and widespread fear, Episcopal Relief & Development is gathering friends from different areas of expertise to discuss the effect of COVID-19 on various communities and industries.
Why Prepare?
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, disasters are still happening and preparedness continues to be necessary. Learn more about how disasters affect you and your neighbors.
CALIFORNIA
The Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real is working together with Episcopal Relief & Development to provide relief for families affected by the California wildfires that have been burning for over a month. The diocese will be supplying gift cards for food and gas, covering hotel bills, as well as assisting farmworkers who have been affected by both COVID-19 and now the poor air quality caused by the fires.
In response to the lightning complex fires in northern California, the diocese is partnering with Episcopal Relief & Development to provide relief in Napa, Sonoma, Solano and Yolo counties. Church leaders from the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California will be helping to provide food, housing, transportation and pastoral care for families and individuals who have been evacuated from the area and who are beginning to return home.
The Bay Area has thousands of homeless and marginally housed people who are being disproportionately impacted by not only the pandemic, but additionally by the seriously unhealthy air blanketing the area from the serious fires to the north and south. The Episcopal Diocese of California has partnered with Episcopal Relief & Development to distribute N95 masks through congregations that serve as food distribution and sheltering sites to people in need.
OREGON
Episcopal Relief & Development partnered with the Episcopal Diocese of Oregon to provide relief from the wildfires that are occurring in Oregon. The diocese is working to address unmet needs in the aftermath of the widespread destruction including food insecurity, lack of internet or computer access to file insurance claims and shelter.
WASHINGTON
The wildfires in Washington state caused thousands of people to evacuate, experience poor air quality and raised the level of need for older adults and immigrant families. The Episcopal Diocese of Spokane partnered with Episcopal Relief & Development to distribute gift cards for food, gas and other immediate needs in the Pearl Hill and Cold Creek areas. They will also be providing pastoral care as needed.
HURRICANE ZETA
In late October, Hurricane Zeta sped through the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana as a Category 2 storm. Its devastating winds caused havoc to the electrical infrastructure of the area. Over 100,000 residents in the Greater New Orleans area were out of power for at least 12 hours. With so many families on the verge of food insecurity, the loss of refrigeration is crippling. Episcopal Relief & Development partnered with the diocese to provide food to people in need through their network of church food pantries–Annunciation, St. Anna’s, St. Andrew’s, Trinity Loaves and Fishing Feeding Ministry, St. Michael’s and St. Philip’s.
Likewise, in Georgia, the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta is providing assistance to at risk children, unemployed adults, low-income families and undocumented persons in the aftermath of Zeta and in response to COVID. The diocese is providing food, gift cards, PPE and assisting with bills and utilities.
HURRICANE LAURA
Hurricane Laura caused devastation throughout the entirety of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Louisiana. Due to COVID-19, many low-income individuals were already having financial difficulties. Because of the hurricane, many people are without work due to business closures and trouble with transportation. The diocese is working Episcopal Relief & Development to meet urgent needs such as gas, food, temporary housing, personal care products and access to laundry services.
In response to an influx of evacuees from western Louisiana, the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana is working with Episcopal Relief & Development to provide relief to individuals who visit the city centralized distribution site in New Orleans. The Episcopal Diocese of Texas is working with Episcopal Relief & Development to provide temporary housing to storm evacuees and distribute tarps, nails, toiletries, non-perishable foods and other supplies to families in need.
HURRICANE HANNA
While there are damage reports from Hurricane Hanna across western Texas, the most significant impact was in the Rio Grande Valley, an area already reeling from the devastating effects of COVID-19 and a worsening immigration crisis. In the poorest areas and neighborhoods, damage was significant. Almost 18 inches of rain fell in some areas, and low-lying areas flooded. High winds damaged many homes and destruction was most severe in communities of primarily Latino, undocumented or extremely low-income families. Episcopal Relief & Development is working with the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas to provide COVID-19 related medical care and testing, internet access for undocumented and low-income children returning to school online, food assistance for migrants living in rent encampment across the border, assistance to churches with food pantries as well as gift cards for families to address food and household needs.