Hello friends, I am sure you were just as startled as we were at Presbytery Center when a rare earthquake centered in Virginia rattled parts of New Jersey and New York shortly before 2 p.m. on Tuesday, August 23, 2011. It caused vibrations and buildings to sway in cities and towns across the region. Presbytery Center has not received any reports of damage or injury from our congregations.

Assess and Report: Though there were no immediate reports of any injuries or structural damage, it is important for your session team responsible for buildings and grounds to assess possible damage immediately. Loose facades, facings, ceiling tiles and at risk structures need particular attention. Please do not assume no damage has occurred because a cursory look reveals no obvious damage. It is important to perform this site inspection prior to your buildings' occupancy this weekend.

We Pay Attention: Please call Presbytery Center immediately and report your findings or requests for assistance, in addition to reporting to your insurance carrier. You may also email Board president Elder Ms. Elizabeth Resch (reschel@verizon.net) or Dr. Kevin Yoho (kevin@newarkpresbytery.org) and we will help you get access to resources you need.

We Will Help: The presbytery for more than a year, through its Board of Trustees, has successfully deployed our staff person for Building and Property Transformation with special skills in building assessment and repair. Upon request, we offer professional and experienced services at no cost to sessions requesting assessment or remediation, site repair management, an interface with insurance adjusters, or simply as a "second pair of eyes" to suggestions and advice when requested from a session. You are not alone in addressing building and property issues.

Thank you for your ministry and for your partnership in the Gospel. Let's continue to optimize the alignment of our congregation's unique mission and buildings. Our staff and the teams and committees of the presbytery are accessible, available, and competent to get you the resources you need. We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Kevin

Dr. Kevin Yoho
General Presbyter