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Editor's note: Dallas Morning News religion writer, Sam Hodges included praise of Evan's work in his blog. 

The shocking news that Evan Silverstein /silver-steen/ died over the weekend leaves many Presbyterian communicators speechless.

As the news story describes, Evan served the PC(USA) for 10 years as senior reporter for the Presbyterian News Service (PNS). He, with PNS Coordinator Jerry Van Marter and other past writers, provided a reliable and credible conduit of news for the Presbyterian population.

Evan was a professional journalist with compassion. Real journalists are difficult to spot in some media, but not with PNS. We can be proud.

Sadly, we can be equally grief-stricken. Evan's dedication is archived in the hundreds of news stories and photos he produced. Gold stars of recognition honor his writing among peers across the country.

In nine years covering or helping lead events as a synod staffer, I could stop sweating anytime I saw Evan. "Ah, Evan is here," I'd think. "We can be sure the story will be told." 

I'm sad that we have to tell Evan's story now. Evan Silverstein's kindness and professionalism touched many whom he never met. His journalistic integrity informed hundreds of thousands who didn't even know the PNS operates by a code of ethics and independence. Here is an example of his service to you.

Take action for more good news in Evan's honor 

Please help preserve and further some of the good news he covered by making a donation in his honor to the Presbyterian Hunger Program. We will add a link when it becomes possible to make an online contribution.

In the meantime, please make a check or money order payable to the "Evan Silvertein Memorial Fund" with the memo: Acct. H-000004. The fund is for a PC(USA)-supported organization of farm workers. Evan chronicled their journey toward fair treatment.

Mail to: 

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)  

Individual Remittance Processing

P. O. Box 643700

Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700

I just asked Jerry Van Marter, Evan's boss, to share his thoughts. Here are those good words.

"For 10 years, Evan Silverstein was not just a valued colleague, but a trusted friend. His devotion to the craft of expert journalism and commitment to reporting the truth fairly and accurately was matched by genuine concern for the people and ministries he covered," Van Marter said. "That is why his loss to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is so great. Though he was Jewish, Evan turned out to be a better Presbyterian than many of the Presbyterians I know."

Whether you give $12 or $100 to the hunger fund, you honor a man who served communications ministry with his whole heart, mind and body. 

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It isn't known if any PC(USA) church in New Covenant Presbytery sustained major structural damage, but most have minor to moderate damage and one those is First Presbyterian, Orange, Texas, where Hurricane Ike blew the door of the sanctuary which has water damage and more.

The congregation in Orange is worshipping this morning in another of its buildings with new pastor Mike Umbenhaur preaching his very first sermon there. Two Galveston congregations, are holding worship as welcomed guests of congregations in nearby towns due to poor conditions on the island and limited access to it. Their facilities in Galveston are damaged but intact.

Westminster Presbyterian (Galveston) will worship at Atascoita Presbyterian and First Presbyterian (Dickinson) will host worship for First Presbyterian (Galveston) this morning, according to reports complied by New Covenant's general presbyter, Mike Cole, who has been hard at work in a temporary office hosted in Clear Lake Presbyterian, near Houston.

Also in Galveston, Emmanuel Presbyterian has no report, but the other congregations have intact facilities. Two will worship at other area congregations because of the very poor conditions and restricted access to the island and immediate area.

Cole's reports of the past few days lists the accounts of hospitality Presbyterians are showing each other and their communities. One church with electricity cooked breakfast for neighbors who didn't have power and others are providing shelter for a rest stop and cell phone recharge for any in need.

"We are putting together a long-term Disaster Recovery Team," General Presbyter Mike Cole said in his email report on Saturday. "(It) will oversee the recovery effort over the next several years. There are thousands of homes and lives to rebuild in our communities."

Most of the congregations reporting thus far say they have a lot of tree damage, at least one window broken and roof damage. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is preparing a six-week campaign to help Presbyterians respond to needs from flooding in the Midwest, hurricane damage in the Gulf Coast states to the tremendous suffering in Cuba and Haiti.

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Today, Friday 9/19, we are working on an update to yesterday's article “Presbyterians aiding recovery efforts...” on plans for recovery, which Presbyterians and everyone near and far can support. We are also compiling a damage report to publish this weekend.

Don't hold up your church bulletins on this news but know that you will be able to print a new summary by (very) late Saturday to share with your congregation on Sunday morning.

Distilling a variety of reports takes time to ensure accuracy, but we can say it is simply amazing to hear from the specialized and diligent volunteers making the plans. We hear the desire of Presbyterians (and others) near and far to help immediately and long-term. And, wait, there's more — the incredible generosity of help already given over the years is inspirational. Thanks be to God!

Many volunteer teams will be needed for a long-term recovery effort just like the on-going effort in the wake of 2005's Katrina and Rita. Be patient as far as actually scheduling your congregation's trip, but it is safe to say, "start planning." PNNews.org has a very deep commitment to providing fast, accurate news, especially on recovery efforts.

Presbyterian Neighbor News is an active partnership of 12 of our 16 PC(USA) synods. The first two participants are Synods of Living Waters and Sun — both have presbyteries devastated by hurricanes in 2005 and 2008. And tell your friends about this site. You can e-mail any article to them by clicking the e-mail icon that appears after you click on any headline or photo.

We have a part-time staff but are committed — indeed, it is a calling. Remember to pray for ALL of God's children in turmoil from disaster, international to local.

Peace,

Shane – PNNews.org editor

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We'll keep updates running here on PNNews.org as we get them on Gustav, expected to become a hurricane and make landfall on the Gulf Coast the days following Labor Day.

We're also preparing an update on the needs in the Rio Grande Valley (border of Texas and Mexico) as a result of Hurricane Dolly which hit in July. We are still developing our network of editors and do not have anyone in Florida, but we do know that Iowa needs volunteers from this summer's floods.

Please learn more about long-term response from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. www.pcusa.org/pda

It takes a while before specific material or physical help can be accepted after a disaster response is launched, but donations are always an option on the PDA site.

In the meantime, give thanks to God for our (yours and mine) PDA office staff and national response team. Harvey Howell of San Antonio is the volunteer team member who has been tracking Gustav and connecting with the myriad of responders in the region.

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Joining the Sun Edition of Presbyterian Neighbor News are three new editions: Living Waters, Lakes and Prairies and Lincoln Trails. Those sites have just opened for training three edition editors who are learning a brand new publishing system online. 

We're sharing those sites with you even before they are ready in order to provide a glimpse of how this Presbyterian Neighbor News partnership works.

PNNews.org is organized by neighborhood (synod). When fully developed, this network will have 16 different editions. You will go to your neighborhood edition to find news from your part of the country and still be connected to news of Presbyterians across the PC(USA). 

The Sun Edition debuted this spring. We introduced the three new editors to the publishing system days before this General Assembly opened.  We thank the synods and their respective editors for forging a new way to share news: Janet Tuck, Living Waters editor; Duane Sweep, Lakes and Prairies editor; and Marta Kramer, Lincoln Trails editor.

Other synods already participating but are awaiting their turn to go online or determine their editor:

• Alaska-Northwest
• Covenant
• Mid-America
• Mid-Atlantic
• Northeast
• Pacific
• Rocky Mountains
• Southwest

This vision of providing one stream of information flowing through every Presbyterian neighborhood is being realized through the mutual trust and financial support of the 12 of 16 synods participating thus far.

Thanks be to God,

Shane Whisler
PNNews.org editor

Read more the vision of PNNews.org.

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