[Diocese of Rhode Island] Episcopal churches on Aquidneck Island responded Tuesday to the state of emergency that left more than 7,000 National Grid customers in Newport and Middletown without natural gas for heat.

As one example, St. John’s, Newport, sent a special edition of its e-newsletter to spread the word that its church and Guild Hall would be “open and warm all night.” The church noted that it was not an “official” warming center but would “welcome you to come in if needed.”

National Grid estimated it would take a week or more to restore service to all those affected.