How You Can Help & Grief Resources

Texas Hill Country Flooding

As we witness the devastating impact of flooding in the Texas Hill Country, our church community remains committed to helping those in need. During disasters, PHPC partners with local and national disaster response organizations to provide essential resources, volunteer assistance, and funding. Below, you’ll find a list of trusted organizations where donations can directly make a difference, along with resources for talking to children about the floods. This list is just a starting point, and we will continue updating it as new ways to offer support emerge. Your generosity, prayers, and care for those affected are deeply appreciated.

What is happening at MO-Ranch? All guests and campers who were at Mo-Ranch on the 4th of July made it home safely to their families.  Power has been restored, and their hardworking staff will spend the coming days assessing the extent of the flood's impact on the ranch. The ranch is currently housing volunteers involved in the search and rescue efforts. For now Mo-Ranch will remain closed until further notice. They have shared a message of thanks and gratitude to those who are asking how to help Mo, they say, "Right now, the most meaningful support you can offer is your prayers—not just for us, but for every camp, home, and family along the Guadalupe River that’s been impacted by the flood.

Please check back often for the latest ways to contribute and make a meaningful impact.

Prayer

God of All Comfort
Draw near to us this day.
We are sad, confused, and afraid.
And we are in pain,
Grieving children lost too soon
Unspeakable loss in a place so filled with love.

God, allow us to speak of our sadness,
and tell each other of our worries.
May these conversations help us know we are not alone.

God we pray for those still missing,
May they be found,
and reunited with their families.
God we pray for those who did not survive the flood,
That they are held in your everlasting love.

We do not understand,
Give us peace that surpasses all understanding.
Holy God, draw near us, and to all who mourn.
God be our comfort.
Amen.

Financial Donations

As the need emerges in the wake of the devastating flooding in the Texas Hill Country over 4th of July weekend, we know you are looking for ways to help. For many in our community this area holds significant meaning. We have put together a list of local organizations that are either based in Kerr or Comal Counties or are deployed in the area supporting relief efforts. PHPC is actively working in partnership with the Synod of the Sun and Mission and Grace Presbyteries to coordinate what physical donations are most helpful and when and what volunteer efforts are needed in the area.

PHPC – Kerr County Flood Relief Fund
If you would like to make a donation to the church, Funds will be directed to the Community Foundation of the Hill Country or Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, or used to help purchase supplies for disaster clean up buckets and hygiene kits assembled by PHPC volunteers. 

The approximate cost for each bucket is around $75, and for each hygiene kit, about $15. For more details on what is included in the clean up buckets and hygiene kits, visit: pcusa.org/disaster-assistance/how-help/act/gift-heart-kits

To donate to PHPC's PDA-Kerr County Flood Relief Fund use the button below.

Donate

Community Foundation of the Hill Country – Kerr County Flood Relief Fund communityfoundation.net
Grants from the Flood Relief Fund will support nonprofit organizations, first responder agencies, and local governments actively involved in response, relief, and recovery efforts.

To donate to the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund use the button below.

Donate

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) - pcusa.org/disaster-assistance/active-responses/national-disaster/texas-hill-country-flooding
PDA is in communication with the Synod of the Sun Presbyterian Disaster Network and Mission Presbytery to coordinate a response and assess the needs, including Emotional and Spiritual Care

To donate to PDA use the button below.

Donate

Mo-Ranch Clean Up and Employee Assistance Fund - moranch.org/support-mo-ranch/donate-now
Mo-Ranch has added two new options to their donation page: Flood Relief, to offer support in clean-up, and an Employee Assistance Fund. As a few Mo-Ranch employees have lost their homes or sustained significant damage to their homes. This fund will go directly to helping them.

To donate to Mo-Ranch use the button below.

Donate

Texas Search and Rescue - texsar.org
TEXSAR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit first responder organization that serves all citizens of the State of Texas and deploys at the request of law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency management agencies.

They are currently deployed to the Guadalupe River Floods in Ker and Comal Counties.

To support their volunteer efforts use the button below.

Donate

Kerville Pets Alive - kerrvillepetsalive.com
Kerrville Pets Alive is working to help the pets that were separated from their owners during the flooding

To donate to support this effort use the button below.

Donate

Grief Resources

As news continues to unfold at Camp Mystic and surrounding areas, this tragedy hits close to home.Many in our community have been walking alongside friends and families awaiting word of missing loved ones. Many have been praying for familiar and significant places like Mo Ranch and Camp Mystic.

In these moments of sorrow, we turn to the God who comforts us in our loss—the God who weeps with us and promises we are not alone. Our hope rests in the One who is our refuge and strength.

For those who are walking alongside young people during this time, we have included several resources below on how best to talk with your children and teenagers about tragedy, loss, and finding hope in the midst of heartbreak. These conversations are never easy, but they are sacred opportunities to point our young ones toward the love and faithfulness of God.

If you need assistance in speaking with your child or need to speak with someone about specific prayer request, or ways we can support you or your family please reach out to Rev. Caroline Grindrod at cgrindrod@phpc.org.

As we walk with our kids through grief, we teach our kids about who God is in the midst of tragedy. Here are a few things to remember:

God welcomes all our emotions. We may be angry at God. We may have questions that do not have easy answers, and we may not be feeling the joy or peace of God right now. Yet, God is still near. We can express our anger, grief, and fear, knowing that God will not leave us.

God grieves with us. Before Jesus raises Lazarus to life, he weeps over the loss of his friend. We are people who hold hope and grief together.

Keep conversation open. We as the church are here to help with any hard conversations and questions.

Dr. Becky on talking to kids about death
In this episode of her podcast Good Inside with Dr. Becky, Dr. Becky explains why we need to be honest with our kids about death, so they feel safe coming to us with all kinds of tricky questions throughout their lives. She shares practical scripts and strategies to guide you through difficult, but direct, conversations on death, dying, and grief. Remember: This is an emotional topic for us adults too, so before pressing play today, take a deep breath. Honor the feelings and sensations that come up for you as you listen to this episode.

Listen on YouTube

Bible for Grieving Kids

Psalm 23

Peace Table Bible: Peace I Leave with You (p. 273)

Good Mourning Counseling - Zoom Recording
A recording of a Zoom hosted by Lauren Gaspar, LCSW-S, RPT-S a children's grief counselor in Austin, Tx. This page also lists other resources for talking to your children about grief.

View Recording

Questions?