What can your congregation do now?
In the wake of Irene, the counties of SEPA Synod are in the process of assessing the damage and needs of our area. In the coming days, we will have a better idea of the damage that has happened throughout our area. At that point, we anticipate coordinating volunteers to help "muck out" residents with unmet needs and assist with long-term recovery.
If you have damage to your home or property, report it to your local municipality. This information is used to secure assistance from a variety organizations. Also, let us know of needs you may have. LDR - Eastern PA has a lot of contacts and information to help meet unmnet needs throughout our area (for example, cleaning kits, volunteer teams to help mucking out, etc.) through various volunteer organizations.
What can you or your congregation do now?
1 - Pray individually and as a community. Use these prayers the next two Sundays:
September 4, 2011
Strengthen all who continue to suffer the impact of wind and water from hurricane Irene. Bless first responders who come to the aid of those who are injured, stranded or mourning the loss of life and destruction of property. Inspire us to reach out to all who are in need. Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
September 11, 2011
Lift up all who suffer from natural disasters with your mercy and hope. Strengthen those who rebuild. Comfort those who mourn losses. Help us reveal your compassion through acts of generosity and kindness. Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
2 - Reach out to your congregation. Make a wellness check on the more vulnerable people in the community who may have lost power or need assistance. Help where you can. Click here for a checklist of basic information
3 - Gather materials and assemble "Cleaning Buckets." Instructions for flood buckets (http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/getconnected/supplies/flood-bucket/). In the next few days, we will have more information about drop-off locations throughout the region. Cleaning buckets are distributed directly to residents who have experienced flooding. If you are in a community that would benefit from these supplies, please contact Julia Menzo ()
4 - If you have congregational teams willing to volunteer, please contact us (see below for contact information) for preliminary information about training, background checks and more. That way, we will be ready when the time comes.
5 - Donate to Lutheran Congregational Services for LDR-Eastern PA (please note LDR-Eastern PA in the memo line). Send to Lutheran Congregational Services, 1923 Hanover Ave., Allentown, PA 18109, or call 610-770-9205 for information. Donations support the staff who work locally in the wake of disaster to share information, train and coordinate of volunteers in the wake of disaster.
6 - Pr. Tom Kadel at Christ Lutheran Church, Kulpsville and retired Pr. Frank Sayford have been trained specifically in pastoral care in disaster response. They have agreed to be contact people for questions or concerns you may have about a pastoral response is disaster situations. Contact Pr. Kadel at or 215-256-8738 and Pr. Sayford at or 215-322-5934.
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Please keep in your prayers all who have experienced injury or damage due to Irene. We know from experience in our region that the clean-up and recovery period is long. What a storm can wipe out in an hour it can take months or even years to put back together. Lutheran Disaster Response in Eastern PA is ready to help.
