In an effort to encourage and equip Synod of the Heartland churches and youth ministries to respond to the Parkersburg, IA Tornado Disaster in May, 08, we have put in place the following policy. If you have any questions or want to request assistance please call Bob Cleveringa at 712-737-4959 or e-mail at bcleveringa@heartlandsynod.org.
Parkersburg Disaster Response Policy
In response to the Parkersburg, IA, tornado disaster in May of 2008, the Synod of the Heartland office of Youth Ministries would like to put in place the following policy and guidelines. These guidelines are intended to provide youth ministries with resources to allow them to respond to the urgent need as well as financial support to help carry out ministry to the people in the Parkersburg area.
The Synod of the Heartland Youth Ministries will award up to $1,000.00 to Synod of the Heartland Churches for disaster response ministry, provided the following criteria are met. (Not to exceed $1000.00/church)
1. The group is sponsored by an RCA Church from the Synod of the Heartland.
2. At least 10 people are involved in the work project.
(If a group is smaller than 10 from any one church, the Synod Dir. Of Youth Ministry may award $100/person up to 9 per church if criteria are followed.)
3. At least one-half of the participants are youth.
4. Adult supervision is provided on a minimum of 1 adult to 5 students.
5. Youth Group leaders work in conjunction with one of the following Disaster Coordinators:
Jim Koopman, Regional Minister for Central IA & Pleasant Prairie Classes, 515-321-4111
Dave Dethmers, Coordinator RCWS, 616-698-7071, ext. 308 or 800-968-3943
Patrick Derdrinski, IA Extension Service, 319-240-0663
6. Church contact will make a request through Bob Cleveringa or Alicia Beaver for the scholarship money to be released and a check will be sent to the church. No checks will be made out to individuals.
7. These requests must be approved before the youth group accomplishes the action.
8. This will be on a first come, first serve basis with a limited amount of scholarship dollars available.
9. Funds will be designated from the youth reserve account and have been approved by the Synod Youth Team.
10. If a church fits the criteria set above and the funds have not been depleted, a group may request the funds after the project has been completed. This exception is totally at the discretion of the Director of Youth Ministries, Bob Cleveringa.
11. Churches using the Synod-sponsored buses (ex. Reading, Royal, or Bethel Reformed) to take part in the work of field clean-up will not be eligible to request further assistance from the Synod Work Project Scholarship Fund.
12. This scholarship will be a one-time, per church basis.
Rocky '08 brochures and publicity have hit Synod of the Heartland churches in the past 30 days and the countdown calendar shows a little over 230 days before the event begins. New Today is the theme of this year's event celebrates 30 years of Rocky Mountain High. This event which began in 1978 has impacted many lives, including students, adults and students that are now adults. The theme for this year's event is New Today, following the scripture theme of 2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a NEW CREATION; the old has gone, the NEW has come.
To check out more details for the upcoming Rocky gathering and to keep up to date throughout the coming months and during Rocky checkout the NEW websitte at http://www.synodyouth.org/rmh0808.