College First Church of God Flood Report

August 28, 2007

Dear Friends,

This morning I joined a rather large group of clergy and community leaders in a discussion regarding flood disaster relief. With this letter I’d like to give you an update of current response plans, which can be divided into two groups: meeting the needs of the immediate circle of College First friends and family; and our responding to the larger Findlay community needs.

We have a list of several dozen families in our congregation who were affected by the flooding. We are making contact with each family to provide support. In addition we have quite a few people who have indicated their willingness to provide meals, laundry, food, furniture, clean up, etc. If you need help with clean up, please contact the church office (419-422-7365). We will continue to match individuals with needs as we become aware. Please call.

With regard to the wider community response, I learned that these emergencies are divided into two categories: response and recovery. The response segment refers to meeting immediate needs such as food, clothing, housing, and basic clean up and “mud-out.” In our case this stage will be completed in the next few days, or at the most, weeks. For the most part, the community has sufficient volunteers to process the immediate “mud out” segment of the response. Numerous teams from outside of Findlay will be coming to town this week and weekend. The United Way office is coordinating this part of the response. If you know of anyone who needs immediate assistance, have them call the United Way office at 419-423-1432. If there is a group of persons from the church who would like to respond, feel free to contact the United Way office; however, we have not yet coordinated our liability insurance for you to be covered as part of a College First ministry. Please check with us before you engage in clean up response.

After response comes recovery. The recovery phase of disaster response involves “tear-out” and “rebuilding.” A Long Term Recovery Committee has been established to provide direction throughout the next year. That committee consists of local community and clergy representatives who will pick up where Red Cross and (perhaps FEMA) leave off. They will coordinate supplies and volunteers to meet “tear out” and rebuilding needs. Individuals will be needed to participate in that part of the recovery. We’ll keep apprised of opportunities to serve.

Perhaps the greatest gift that we can provide each other are the ministries of prayer and presence—to prayer for each other as needs arise, and to be available, providing whatever support we can. Remember to practice the Golden Rule and treat each person with the respect and care that you would like to be treated.

I understand that approximately 400 homes have sustained major damage, and another thousand or more families have sustained moderate loss. Thank you for your genuine love and care for our church family and community as we join others in responding to this need. May the Lord continue to guide and bless.

Sincerely,
Pastor Bill

College First Church of God, Pastor William H. Reist
Phone: (419) 422-7365 email: wreist@collegefirst.org

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The Catalyst Update

For those who have asked, please find below the comprehensive list of things that were lost. Most important items are in bold. 

If you have any questions on items or approx replacement costs, please don’t hesitate to ask. 

Feel free to call my cell below in the afternoons. 

THANKS,
Pastor Nate

  www.thecatalystchurch.com
   o. 419.422.0898
   c. 419.306.7405

Items Lost

Hospitality Area :

• Refrigerator
• Freezer – full (used for Panera Bread)
• 2 large cabinets on casters
• 1 Microwave
• Anvil Airpot CoffeeMaker Pour Over Airpot Brewers
• 1 Vacuum Cleaner
• Various Serving platters
• Glass bowls – 12 for Seder Meal
• Fire extinguishers – 3
• Serving Items: Paper products - plates, cups, napkins - napkin holder, knives, cream cheese spreaders, sugar, honey,

Sanctuary:

• 100 stackable black padded chairs
• 12 small foldable tables
• Stage pieces – 12 rectangles and 4 triangles (pine board and black autobond)
• NIV Bibles - 50
• The Message Bibles - 30
• Offering baskets - 15
• Music binders/ folders
• Microphones and cables/ instrument cables/ monitor cables  - three audix mics ( cables are water soaked and covered in mud – salvage/cleaning has not begun yet on these)
• Wireless mic systems – two wireless packs (UHF), one handheld, and one countryman E6 head mic
• 1 Main Amp & snake cable – 100 ft  16x4 channel snake, Ashley 4 channel amp
• 1 Ashley 2 channel Crossover
• Speakers and monitors – Community liquid cooled 16” Mains and one SUB woofer
• 5 Community 12” stage monitors
• Computer and monitor – custom built computer including video production suite
• Disc Recorder and Copier – 7 bay DVD/CD duplicator, and 1 Tascam single CD live recorder
• Projector – Hitachi 1800 ANSI lumen LCD projector
• Book/ resource table
• Drum Kit – CB 700 Maple Kit
• Rain Stick
• Congas
• 3 guitars – electric, acoustic and amps (1 custom built guitar w/floyd rose pickups, 1 12-string acoustic, 1 electric guitar; 1 large Mesa Boogie 50 watt tube AMP and pedal control, 1 large Fender 50 watt Amp; 1 Pignose 40-watt amp
• 3 bar stools
• 6 white, non-scented 3 wick candles
• Christmas lights – white, 8 packs
• Coffee/ hospitality display/ counter
• Plants / foliage – about 8 bush/ tree type
• Acrylic pulpit

Nursery & Preschool Rooms & Young People’s Church

• 3 piece sectional sofa
• Solid wood Changing table with drawers and shelves
• Rocker glider with ottoman
• Lamps and End table
• Assisted listening system and speakers (wireless broadcast)
• computer speakers for broadcast in children’s rooms
• Rocking chair
• 2 Child height tables with chalkboard surface
• All toys and books
• Art supplies – paints, playdough, pompoms, glue, glitter, paper, etc.
• Wooden train table/ set
• CD/ tape player
• Potty seat
• Baby swing
• Pack and play
• Carpet squares & play rugs
• Cloth baskets – 12 various colors and sizes for storage
• 10 Beanbag Chairs
• Ping Pong table and all accessories

Office

• Basic office Computer with wifi and 250g HD
• 1 19” monitor CRT
• 1 1G Thumb Drive
• 2 line Telephone/ 1 Fax machine / 1 answering machine
• HP 2200 Office Jet Printer
• 2 office desks and chairs
• 1 overhead projector
• Electric pencil sharpener
• Office supplies
• 2 cases of bright white letter and 2 cases of bright white legal paper, and various cardstock
• 1 box legal security white Envelopes, 10 legal pads