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To All in the Territory of the People

TO BE SHARED WIDELY

Dear Friends,

As we continue to struggle with smoke, evacuation alerts and orders in our Province we are reminded of how quickly things can change and how vulnerable we are, especially when  we  are not prepared for such emergencies. It is a reminder for us to  review our own emergency  plans both personally and in our churches. It is also an opportunity to consider how  we might be of service to others in the event of a wildfire.

I have continued to stay in contact with our regional deans, local clergy and lay leaders who are in or near areas that have been impacted. I am grateful to those who are attending to the pastoral needs in these communities.

The high risk of further wildfire continues in our province. The Provincial Government has declared a state of emergency allowing the province to respond quickly and effectively to the needs as they arise. We are encouraged to stay alert and prepared should the situation change.

There are helpful resources on the Provincial Government website about emergency preparedness: Public emergency preparation and recovery - Province of British Columbia, including tips on preparing a pack-and-go kit, a household plan, and what to do should you be evacuated.

The Ecclesiastical Province of BC/Yukon also has an excellent Emergency Planning Toolkit that can be used at a parish level to both prepare the  church building in the  event of an emergency and to look at ways of being a part  of the local emergency  response  efforts that is well-thought out and ready should the need arise: Emergency Preparedness I Anglican Provincial Synod of
British Columbia and Yu kon. A pdf copy of the toolkit is included in this communication.

I encourage every parish to review and work through the steps of this toolkit to identify what is needed to  both protect your property and anyone in the building, and how you might participate in supporting your local community emergency response efforts during an emergency event. Often parishes have space, kitchen facilities or even parking space for evacuees. Let's be seen as caring neighbours ready to do what we can.
 
Our Ecclesiastical Province is also in partnership with Alongside Hope with grants of up to
$8000 towards resiliency and emergency preparedness efforts in our Province of BC/Yukon. Parishes are encouraged to work through the Emergency Planning Guide for  Diocese/Parishes and look for ways to strengthen your capacity to respond in a  wildfire or flood event. The application for funding requests is attached to  this  communication  and  can  also  be found  on the Provincial website: Alongside Hope and Province of BC and Yukon Emergency preparedness
Grant  I Anglican Provincial Synod of  British Columbia  and Yukon. If your parish has an idea of
how you might respond in your community to a wildfire or flood event and need some funds to make it happen, this is a great way to strengthen your emergency planning/resiliency efforts.

 
Let us Pray:
0 God, our refuge and strength, our help in times of trouble. We lift our prayers to you now that your creation is suffering.
Have mercy on the lands ravaged by fires.
Calm the winds that fan the flames, and send rain to the parched lands.
 
Comfort all who have had to leave their homes; give them solace as they wait for news.
Give peace to those under evacuation alerts.
Bless all those who help and support the evacuees.
Protect all those who are fighting the fires, and keep them safe in difficult circumstances.
Protect all whose health is at risk because of the smoke.
Heal the people, heal the nature, and heal the land.
God, in your unending mercy, we ask you to hear our prayers.
Amen. (From www .bcsynod.org )

In Christ's Service,

The Rt. Rev. Clara Plamondon
Bishop -Territory of the People

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