Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: September 2, 2013

ALBANY PRESBYTERY OF NEW YORK AND VERMONT - In August 2011, Tropical Storm Irene dumped a tremendous amount of rain in the Catskill Mountains and caused devastation in many communities. Within 24 hours, volunteers rallied, among them hundreds of Presbyterians. At the time, Schoharie United Presbyterian Church was writing a mission study in preparation for a pastoral search. Six months later they completed their mission study. This is an excerpt:

“Five to six feet of water swept through the village, including three buildings belonging to the Presbyterian church, and affected 80 percent of homes in the village. Our interim pastor, who lived in the manse next door to the church, found herself homeless, as did several members of the congregation. In all, 23 adults and children of the congregation were affected by flood damage.

“At this writing, six months later, these people are still struggling to repair their homes or start afresh elsewhere. Rebuilding has begun with the help of God and many ‘angels’ on earth!

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