Dear Friends of the Rio Texas Conference,

As we continue to walk alongside our neighbors impacted by the recent flooding, we hold in prayer the heartbreaking stories we are hearing — of lives lost, of loved ones grieving, and of families still waiting for news. Our hearts break for every community and family affected.

Amid this heartbreak, we want to provide meaningful ways for you and your congregation to respond — through worship, prayer, generosity, and preparation — so together we can offer hope and healing.

Guadalupe Flood Relief Special Offering 

As we continue to assess the impact of the flooding along the Guadalupe River and surrounding communities, one of the most effective ways you can help right now is through financial gifts.

Bishop Harvey and our Disaster Response Team encourage churches and individuals to contribute to our Rio Texas Conference Disaster Response Advance #2050, noting “Guadalupe River Flood” on your gift.

How to give:

  • Churches: If taking an offering, please send collected gifts to the Rio Texas Conference office, designated to Advance #2050 — Guadalupe River Flood.

  • Individuals: You may give through your local church, or mail contributions directly to the conference office at:
    Rio Texas Conference, 16400 Huebner Rd., San Antonio, TX 78248

  • We are currently working on providing an online giving option.

Your generosity will support immediate needs in the affected areas.

Early Response Team (ERT) Training Opportunities

We are not ready to mobilize volunteers yet; please do not self-deploy. Now is the time to prepare. Early Response Team (ERT) training equips volunteers to offer safe, effective, and compassionate help in times of disaster.

Download a flyer for upcoming training opportunities to share with your congregations and communities. 

Early Response Team (ERT) training gives us the tools we need to do more than just want to help. It equips us to help safely, effectively, and faithfully, so that we become the hands and feet of Christ for neighbors who are hurting.

We invite you to prayerfully consider taking part in one of these upcoming training opportunities:

OPTION I: BASIC ERT TRAINING (HYBRID)
Part I (Online - Zoom): Wednesday, July 9th, 6-9pm
Part II (Hands-On): Saturday, July 12
Hybrid Training Flyer [Printable PDF]

Location for Hands-On: To be determined based on registrations (details will be shared during the Zoom session)
Purpose: Prepares new volunteers to safely assist with flood cleanup — including proper techniques for cleaning out flooded homes and tarping roofs.

Register: https://riotexasresponse.org/ert-basic-1-1 and follow the training tab for Hybrid.

OPTION II: RECERTIFICATION TRAINING (ONLINE)
Date: Thursday, July 10
Time: 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Location: Zoom
Purpose: For individuals whose ERT badge expired within the last six months.

Register: https://riotexasresponse.org/ertrecert

Registration required for both options.

Visit riotexasresponse.org for more information and to sign up. Questions? Email training@riotexasresponse.org.

Why this matters:
Flood survivors need more than supplies — they need compassionate, prepared helpers who can be trusted with their homes and their hope. This is how we carry one another’s burdens. This is how we show the love of Christ when it matters most.

The Mission of the Rio Texas Early Response team is to provide a caring Christian presence in the aftermath of disaster.

Worship Resources & Special Offering Materials

We have curated a collection of prayers, litanies, and blessings to support your worship services during this time.

These resources include:

  • Litany of Lament, Hope, and Strength – Rev. Dr. Aaron A. Gonzalez

  • Communal Prayer – Rev. Dr. Aaron A. Gonzalez

  • Call to a Special Offering (Advance #2050) – Rev. Dr. Tanya Campen

  • Blessing of a Special Offering (Advance #2050) – Rev. Dr. Tanya Campen

  • A Prayer for the Guadalupe River Communities – Rev. Adam Knapp

  • A Prayer of Lament from the Hill Country – Rev. Thomas Hankins

  • Family Conversation Resources - Rev. Dr. Tanya Campen

Canva Template & Resources for Special Offering

We’ve also created a Canva template to help you promote the Guadalupe Flood Relief Special Offering during worship:

The template includes:

  • A script to use during offering time

  • Two graphic options (one for Canva premium users, one with a royalty-free image for free accounts)

  • A link to our worship resources