Disaster Response Article Archive
Lutherans respond to midwest storms
Lutherans are responding to another series of severe weather and tornadoes swept through the southern United States, impacting communities in Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Georgia. As many as 22 people lost their lives as a result of this most recent storm system.
Urgent volunteer opportunities in NEPa
In Northeast PA Lou and Kelly's house outside Hazelton was flooded three times from September 2004 to November 2006. Their home could not be salvaged after the last flood, and this family still has a mortgage to pay off and therefore cannot afford to buy another property. Lutheran Disaster Response is working with Lou and Kelly to build a simple structure that will be elevated 8 feet, and lift their future home out of the flood plain. If you have connections that can provide construction materials for free or at a reduced cost, or if you sense God leading you to volunteer or donate to assist this family, contact Linda Frey at 610-847-5775 or .
Reproducible Domestic Disaster Alert: U.S. Tornadoes is online
A reproducible "Spring 2008 U.S. Tornadoes" ELCA Domestic Disaster Alert is ready to place in Sunday bulletins and newsletters.
One family, three floods: Your help is needed
Lou and Kelly's house outside Hazelton was badly damaged by the creek that overflowed in September 2004 and June 2006.
Letter from Bishop Hanson
With a swiftness that we could not have imagined only weeks ago, the waters have brought chaos to a large area of the central United States.
Water pumps gifted to Lutheran Disaster Relief
Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) in Southeast Pennsylvania is happy to announce the distribution of five completely outfitted Briggs & Stratton commercial power water pumps.
Prayers for Conshohocken fire victims
St. Mark's, Conshohocken, has offered the use of an apartment as well as food and clothing assistance to help the 375 persons displaced by a major fire in the town last week. Pastor Dick Olson has prepared a prayer petition that you can use in your congregation...
Lutherans respond to hurricanes
Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) are responding in the aftermath of tropical storms and hurricanes, waiting to assess the damage of Hurricane Gustav and preparing for the remainder of the 2008 hurricane season. "We are in difficult days," said the Rev. Kevin A. Massey, director, Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR). Click the headline above to download a LDR hurricane response bulletin insert for your congregation.
Prayer and response to hurricanes
When Hurricane Katrina struck three years ago, Pastor Eric Shafer of Trinity, Lansdale was a churchwide staff member who spent Labor Day weekend manning the phones to take donations and calls for help that came to the ELCA because the church (unlike FEMA and the Red Cross) had live people answering calls. Read his thoughts about why and how to support ELCA Disaster Response.
Join LDR in rebuilding Gulf Coast in February
Spots have been reserved for Lutheran Disaster Response - Southeastern Pennsylvania for a special week of rebuilding in the Gulf Coast at Camp Victor, Ocean Springs, MS, February 8-14, 2009.
Join SEPA LDR trip to Ocean Springs
The opportunity is still open to join others from southeastern PA in traveling to Ocean Springs, MS for rebuilding post-Katrina. We will be staying at Camp Victor. Our goal is to have at least 50 people registered by January 6, 2008.
Volunteers, housing, advocates still needed for Gulf recovery
Lutheran Disaster Response’s Linda Frey recently returned from a service trip rebuilding homes in Ocean Springs, MS, and notes that many challenges still remain in the more than 3-year cleanup from Hurricane Katrina. “The good news is that volunteers continue repairing homes and total rebuilds may soon begin,” she writes. “Please tell others about Hurricane Katrina recovery. Tell them everything is not OK. There is a need for housing, a need for volunteers, and a need for advocates.” Click the headline to read more.
