You can help! See the Presbyterian Church (USA) relief effort website.

Cyclone Nargis, packing winds up to 120 miles per hour, swept through the country on Saturday. A storm surge with waves up to 12 feet high swept inland causing the death of at least 22,000 people with tens of thousands still missing. News reports predict the number of deaths could total as many as 80,000. The low-lying Irrawaddy Delta region, the country’s main agricultural area, suffered the most severe damage.

The situation in Myanmar is dire. U.N. officials have reported that close to 1 million people are homeless and priority needs are for water purification tablets, plastic sheeting, basic medical kits, bed nets and food. Power and water supply have been disconnected, and the price of food has multiplied since the storm.

The full extent of the damage throughout the country has not yet been determined. A marginal infrastructure has been further damaged, resulting in poor communications and impassible roads. Power outages and scattered debris also hamper recovery efforts.

PDA’s funds will support humanitarian relief items for disaster survivors. The response is focused on food first — from $40,000 to $50,000 in food aid — then shelter. PDA is responding in Myanmar as a member of and in partnership with Action by Churches Together (ACT) International and Church World Service. Both entities have local partners in Myanmar and will have representatives to help in the provision of relief items to cyclone survivors.

Now on sale at Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church, Simply Sheila’s, Country Charm, and Blue Heron Books. Cost is $15, and proceeds go to Interfaith.

The Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church’s cook book is now available, with proceeds going to the charitable organizations our congregation supports. With more than 160 pages of recipes and helpful hints, “Feeding the Flock” also pays tribute to many women and men over the years who have gathered together for Logos and Pathfinder suppers, the Women’s Fellowship Luncheons and special recipes remembered from times past.

These recipes are a treasure. But this cookbook couldn’t be the exciting collection it has become without the dozens of members who turned in their families’ secret recipes, long-time favorites and fun, new ideas! You are a blessing.

We trust you’ll enjoy cooking from “Feeding the Flock” and we hope this becomes a cookbook you can turn to in any culinary emergency and pass on to future generations.

From the Deacons of Shepherd of the Hills, we thank you for your support of this project, sharing your recipes and by purchasing this book. The profits from the sales go out to help thousands of people in the Casper and Wyoming community.

Shepherd of the Hills Mission Statement:

“Responding to God’s great love, we seek to joyfully serve Christ Jesus in our congregation, community and world.”

 Our website is under development, so please stay tuned!