Posted by Marvin on August 4, 2010 under Uncategorized
Friends,
As i write this brief blog to you today I am reading from USA Today, where two pieces of data are mentioned. First, scientists estimate that the BP oil spill amounted to approximately 205.8 million gallons of oil being spilled into the Gulf of Mexico. Second, that scientists estimate that 75% of the oil has been contained in one way or another. Scientists are stating that this is good news and that the residual from the oil spill might be shorter in nature rather than longer. My question is: “That leaves more than 50 million gallons of oil wandering around the Gulf. What is happening to contain that oil as well?”
Fishing areas are being opened again and there is talk of lifting the moratorium on drilling in the Gulf. All of that is helping those who were hardest hit by the crisis – the local people – the employees of these industries. My prayer continues to be that the well is permanently killed and that the Gulf of Mexico returns to normal. May it be so!!
Shalom,
Marvin L. Groote, Interim General Presbyter
Posted by Marvin on August 3, 2010 under Uncategorized
Friends,
July and August is the time when many people go on vacation. Adele and I are no exception. We have already had the wonderful opportunity to spend some time with family and friends in Branson, Missouri and we have had a true vacation in Atlantic City, both of which followed closely on the heels of the 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The summer seems to be disappearing quickly.
I was very happy to learn while on vacation that the oil leak in the Gulf floor was at least temporarily stopped and that progress was being made on permanently plugging the leak. We will know in a few weeks whether or not all of this is successful. Our prayers continue to go out for this work, for those whose lives have been affected by this disaster and for those who are working continually to help those whose lives have been changed.
As I look forward to the fall, I see one additional vacation for myself on the horizon as well as some exciting times for the Presbytery of South Louisiana. At a planning summit last week the Council of PSL met and did the fundamental work on a new structure. We will look more closely at it during the summer stated meeting of Council and will give at least a preliminary report to the October stated meeting of PSL. My excitement is that I see the presbytery moving from the recovery from the storms of 2005 into a time of working together to spread the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I’m certain that there will be more work to be done on the structure, but this is a grand beginning – one to which we can all look as progress and visioning into the future.
I’ll continue to keep you all posted on the happenings of PSL.
Shalom,
Marvin L. Groote, Interim General Presbyter
