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.
Prayers, support needed for Coatesville neighbors
Your prayers and action are needed to support our neighbors in Coatesville, where a state of emergency has been declared after a string of arson fires, the latest of which destroyed 15 homes and left 60 people homeless. Prayers and donations of cash and furniture are needed. Click here to learn how to help.
On the Gulf, much work to be done
A work team from Christ Lutheran Church, Kulpsville, is back at Camp Victor in Ocean Springs, MS, this week, continuing the more than three-year long process of rebuilding from Hurricane Katrina. Check out this article for journal entries from Lois Kadel, which will be updated as we receive them.
Bishop spends first day touring flooding sites
When she was elected nearly two months ago, Bishop Claire Burkat had no idea that her first day in office would involve lunch in a fire hall, prayer in a half-gutted kitchen and lots of mud. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod's new bishop spent July 1 with Lutheran Disaster Response leaders viewing the damage left by the latest rampage of the Delaware River and meeting victims and volunteers attempting to clean up after the flood waters receded.
In Pottstown, hope amid destruction
A forlorn child's train left stranded in the ceiling trusses in the parish hall at St. John's Lutheran Church in Pottstown shows the force of flood waters that inundated the basements of the church, parish house and parsonage.
Churches help Coatesville cope with fear
"We are coping as well as we can." wrote Pastor John Carlson of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Feb. 13. "The four most recent fires were set outside the city limits so it is no longer a 'city issue,' -- it is a community issue. Everyone is encouraged to put their front and back porch lights on at night -- and we're doing it."
SEPA Lutherans pack Camp Victor
About 60 SEPA Lutherans worked at Camp Victor, Ocean Springs MS the week of Feb 8-14.
Pray, give in response to Red River flooding
Communities along the Red River in eastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota are bracing for potentially record-breaking flooding. The National Weather Service predicts that flooding could surpass those of the 1997 disaster. Read on for a prayer petition you can use in your congregation and to learn how you can help.
Volunteer to bring hope to disaster victims
Our Synod's Lutheran Disaster Response team has a full slate of volunteer opportunities helping those affected by natural disasters. Read on to learn how you can help disaster survivors across the nation.
Preparing for pandemic flu
Right now we're seeing more anxiety than actual illness caused by the outbreak of swine flu. In any case, this is a good time for congregations to think about how to minister in the face of situations that might arise out of any pandemic, like suggested or mandated social distancing.
Liberty sponsors family Disaster Camp
Learn about how to prepare so that your family and congregation are ready as the fall approaches. In addition, participate in an exercise that will create an opportunity for everyone to better understand county plans for distributing medicines in the event of a pandemic. For ages 14 and above. Register by Aug. 12.
July LDR task force update
The Lutheran Disaster Response-SEPA July update includes the Pandemic Exercise and Awareness Event, Oktoberfest, and VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) Basic Training coming in September.
August 2009 LDR Update
Learn how LDR is at work: Lutherans respond to Aug. 2 flooding; Oktoberfest 2009 supports LDR planning and response efforts; LDR resolution passes Churchwide Assembly.
LDR hosts Oktoberfest
St. Paul's Lutheran Church Glenside in cooperation with Living Word Lutheran Church, Roslyn, are hosting an Oktoberfest event on Sept. 26, 4-7 pm at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Glenside, to benefit Lutheran Disaster Response here in Southeast Pa.
September is National Preparedness Month
September is National Preparedness Month, a helpful reminder that all of us could be better prepared for the unknown and the unthinkable. This year, Lutheran Disaster Response encourages you to be the ReadyChurch, and it takes all of us working together.
Update on Georgia Floods
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ, Nearly a week of constant and torrential rains in the southeastern United States, residents of Atlanta and the communities to the west of the city have quite a mess on their hands.
5 days, 4 disasters, 1 way to help now
This has been a turbulent and frightening week for the people of Asia. A typhoon, a tsunami and an earthquake have struck since Saturday, and another storm is expected to affect the region tomorrow. Click through to give a gift to Lutheran World Relief's Asia Disasters fund to provide food, water and other life-saving assistance.
H1N1 Flu Resources for Congregations
With President Obama's October 24, 2009 Emergency Declaration for H1N1 Flu, and with notable evidence of flu in our schools and communities, consider these resources for congregations.
New LDR mission opportunities
Take a look at several new opportunities to volunteer with Lutheran Disaster Response in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Lutherans respond to Haiti earthquake
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake rocked the island country of Haiti on Tuesday, January 12. ELCA Disaster Reponse partners have survived the quake and are already working to serve the people of Haiti. Your help is needed today to bring immediate relief and continued hope for our brothers and sisters in Haiti.
LDR trip to Mission Starfish in March
Liberty Lutheran Services and Lutheran Disaster Response-SEPA will be organizing teams from across Southeast Pa to travel to Ocean Springs MS from March 13 to March 20, 2010 to continue rebuilding in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Prayers for Haiti disaster
News reports from Haiti tell of severe destruction and loss of life. The capital of Port au Prince is reported to be devastated, and a Hatian official told the UN that at least 100,000 are dead. Remember the people of Haiti in your congregation's prayers this Sunday. Click for a resource prayer and more information.
LWR takes text donations for Haiti; Thrivent matches
You can text LWR to 40579 to donate $10 to the organization's Haiti relief efforts. And if you are a Thrivent Financial for Lutherans member, the company will match your donations with $1 for every $2 donated. ELCA Disaster Response is taking donations at http://www.elca.org/haitiearthquake.
Medical volunteers needed in Haiti
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is requesting physicians of specific specialities to deploy with the National Disaster Medical Assistance teams to Haiti. The need is for trauma surgeons, orthopedists, anesthesiologists, and others with experience in treating crush injuries. Volunteers must be able to serve for at least 2 weeks, and be willing to live and work in spartan conditions.
Ocean Springs journal: Still so much to do
Once again a team from Christ Lutheran, Kulpsville, is in Ocean Springs, MS. Lois Kadel is keeping a journal of the group's activity as the group works, even with their eyes and hearts fixed on Haiti. Now is the time to join a SEPA-LDR trip to Mission Starfish (formerly Camp Victor) in March -- your interest needs to be noted by Jan. 24.
Looking to volunteer in Haiti?
ELCA Disaster Response is receiving an outpouring of offers to serve as volunteers in Haiti. As of today, Disaster Response is telling people interested in volunteering that, “due to the instability of the current situation in Haiti, volunteers may not be needed for six months or more.” You can read the full message and sign up to learn more and be notified when volunteers are needed at the ELCA website at http://tinyurl.com/elcavolunteer
Train as a volunteer disaster chaplain
Liberty Lutheran Services and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia are sponsoring a Volunteer Disaster Chaplain Training Course on March 15-16 at the Seminary. This two-day training prepares faith leaders or spiritual care providers to volunteer as disaster chaplains in mass care settings or to serve as disaster chaplains within their house of worship, religious community or professional institution.
LDR Haiti Response Briefing
Congregations and individuals continue to respond in unique ways throughout Southeast Pa in response to the January 12, 2010 earthquake in Haiti. Lutherans are raising funds, sending health kits, addressing immigration issues for Haitians, organizing Disaster Chaplaincy training, and more. Read on for details.
ELCA aids Mississippi tornado victims
Lutheran Disaster Response has issued an emergency grant of $10,000 to seed relief efforts after a massive tornado touched down and traveled for more than 100 miles across the Southeast, leaving at least 12 people dead and hundreds of homes destroyed.
Pakistan floods: The Critical Hour
The recent flooding in Pakistan, alone, is a devastating disaster. But piled atop the hardship of the past five years, the situation for many families in Pakistan is nothing short of dire. Click the image to read how Lutheran World Relief is responding to bring comfort to those affected.
Join the LDR ReadyChurch initiative
With the hurricane season in full swing and ongoing disaster responses in more than half of the U.S., there is no better time than now to think about how prepared (or not) we are for natural disasters. Disasters can happen at any time and place, often without warning, and it is vital for everyone to prepare ourselves for the possibility that a disaster could affect you.
LDR Schedules Spring Work Trips
Have you considered spending some time helping people rebuild after a disaster? Lutheran Disaster Response-SEPA has several opportunities for you in February, March and April.
ELCA Raises $12.6 Million for Haiti So Far
In the year since a catastrophic earthquake struck Haiti, the ELCA response has been significant. More than 40,000 ELCA members contributed more than $12.6 million to support the work of ELCA Disaster Response in Haiti, feeding and sheltering more than 65,000 people, providing clean water to 2,000 families and sending four convoys of supplies. And yet the work is far from over. Visit ELCA Disaster Response online to see how you can help.
Lutherans Respond to Japan Earthquake
The ELCA is responding to a massive earthquake and tsunami March 11 that caused considerable loss of life and property in Japan. You can help make a difference: Financial gifts for the Pacific Earthquake and Tsunami can be contributed through the ELCA website. Credit card gifts may be contributed by calling 1-800-638-3522.
Prayers in the Aftermath of Storms
Gracious God, Spring storms rage and cause destruction and despair. Reveal your life-giving presence to those who suffer from this week's storms and tornadoes in the southern United States. Console those who mourn. Strengthen those who come to help. Give courage to those who must rebuild. In the midst of devastation and uncertainty, fill us with resurrection hope that we may cling to hope and experience new life through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Help ELCA Respond to Deadly Storms
At least 300 people have been killed by storms across six states with Alabama the hardest hit. ELCA Disaster Response is already at work with local Lutheran congregations and the Southeastern Synod staff to assess what is needed. "The ELCA stands ready to respond in all areas affected," said the Rev. Daniel Rift, Director of ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal. Contributions can be made to ELCA Disaster Response designated for "U.S. Severe Storms." All designated gifts will be used entirely (100 percent) in response to these disasters.
ELCA Responds to Joplin Tornado
The powerful tornado that devastated Joplin, Missouri Sunday night is one of the deadliest in US history, with at least 116 people known dead so far. ELCA Disaster Response is already on the ground assessing the situation and providing for immediate needs as well as planning a long-term response. Your gifts are needed to help provide for the immediate and long-term needs of those affected by these disasters. Read on to learn how you can help.
How You Can Help Joplin
From Kansas City, LDR-Eastern PA's Julia Menzo offers suggestions for those who want to help towns ravaged by this spring's tornado's -- Pray, Volunteer, Lead and Give. She offers this prayer for this Sunday's worship: You promise to be present in all our suffering, but we are overcome with fear and sorrow. Transform the cries of those are suffering because of tornadoes and floods. Grant consolation, courage and hope. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
'The Destruction Is Unbelievable'
"I guess pictures never fully capture...what a situation is really like, and that's how I felt driving into Joplin and then seeing Peace Lutheran and the neighborhood around it," Central States Synod Bishop Gerald Mansholt wrote in an email to colleagues after visiting Joplin Wednesday. "The destruction unbelievable, the landscape nothing bur rubble. I heard one national disaster worker say this is the worst destruction he's seen since Katrina."
Be Alert for Irene's Effects
Hurricane Irene is expected to affect our region as early as Friday night (Aug. 26). Coming on top of near-record rainfall, flooding is a concern regardless of the storm's track. Lutheran Disaster Response urges congregations to make preparations now for the impact of the storm and to provide assistance and support in communities affected by flooding and storm damage. Read on for prayers and action steps.
Hurricane Irene Update
As our region anticipates the arrival of Hurricane Irene, I write to let you know Bishop Burkat and the synod staff hold you and all of our congregations in prayer. It is clearly going to be a difficult weekend for many up and down the East Coast. Please be safe, and please be alert to the conditions and needs in your communities. Click below to read important storm-related announcements.
Stay Safe During Irene
As the storm bears down on the Delaware Valley, please pray for all in harms way, particularly those in the path of river and stream flooding and damaging winds. Pray for all those up and down the East Cost affected (or about to be affected) by this storm, particularly our neighbors in New Jersey, Delaware, and New York. And whether your congregation holds or cancels worship, please be mindful of the safety of your people.
Irene Update for Sunday
We pray that you have weathered this storm safely so far. Please keep in prayer today our neighbors who have sustained damage or are in flooded conditions, along the Schuylkill and Delaware rivers and the many swollen creeks in our region. Media attention has show severe flooding in Darby. We are sure you know of local areas where homes and businesses are underwater. Please keep Lutheran Disaster Response informed of areas where assistance will be needed after emergency response and evacuation is completed and the waters recede. Contact us at and Julia Menzo of LDR at
After Irene, What Can You Do?
Pray. Volunteer. Give. You and your congregation can join Lutheran Disaster Response of Eastern PA in helping people recover from Hurricane Irene. Read on for prayers for the next two Sundays, a Cleanup Checklist and ways to donate to support the work LDR-EPA does right here in our synod.
Volunteer and Donate to Support Local LDR
If you want to lend a hand to meet needs in the wake of Hurricane Irene, read on for how to contact Lutheran Disaster Relief in Eastern PA to register as a volunteer, to donate flood cleanup supplies, or donate to local relief efforts.
Prayers for Flooding, Fires
Just days after Hurricane Irene passed over us, sections of Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey are again under flood watches. Areas of the hard-hit Gulf Coast have been pummeled by strong winds, tornados and torrential rain. And in central Texas lives and homes are at risk from massive wildfires. So we pray: Loving God, creator and master of the forces of nature, be present with all those suffering the effects of wind, rain and fire. Protect those who are in immediate danger. Support and strengthen first responders who render aid. Provide help and comfort to all who suffer loss. And inspire us, who are connected through Christ to all who suffer, to lend assistance to all who need help. Through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Oktoberfest Benefits Disaster Response
Oktoberfest for Lutheran Disaster Response – Eastern Pennsylvania supports response and recovery efforts preparing for and after events like Hurricane Irene. Oktoberfest, on Saturday, Oct. 1 from 2-6 p.m., is a family-friendly German themed event sponsored by St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Glenside and is the most important LDR-Eastern PA fundraising event of the year.
Regional Flooding: Pray. Act. Prepare.
More than 100,000 people have been evacuated from Northeastern Pennsylvania and Upstate New York in advance of record crests on the Susquehanna River, while in our area many creeks spilled their banks, and residents along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers await crests this weekend. Please pray for all affected, check in with members in flood-prone areas, and get ready for the cleanup volunteer needs that will emerge after the waters recede.
Flood Cleanup Volunteers Needed
A presidential disaster declaration for the 5 counties of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod in the wake of Hurricane Irene makes federal assistance available to people affected by flooding. Also, Lutheran Disaster Response in Eastern PA and other agencies are gearing up to assist 85 households in SEPA clean up after the floods, and volunteers are urgently needed. LDR-EPA is already sending volunteer teams to muck out homes of people in need. We can also connect your teams with other organizations who need volunteers. Go to http://www.lutherancongregationalservices.org to print out volunteer information forms, liability releases and instructions for NO-COST background checks for disaster volunteers. Contact Linda Frey by email at or call 610.657.4730 for more information about volunteering.
LDR Mission Trip Opportunities
Lutheran Disaster Response volunteers are helping families and individuals recover from natural disasters both near and far. Teams from Advent Lutheran Church, Harleysville; St. John’s Lutheran Church, Sumneytown; St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Pennsburg and Trinity Lutheran Church, Lansdale have scheduled 2012 work team/mission team trips to Bloomsburg, PA, the Mississippi Gulf Coast and Joplin, MO. There are openings for adults 18 and over if people from your congregation would like to participate in one of these trips. The dates and locations are: January 8 to 13 to Bloomsburg, PA // February 11 to 18 to the MS Gulf Coast // March 10 to 17 to the MS Gulf Coast // April 14 to 21 to Joplin, MO
