It's happening again. Creek and stream flooding has occurred across our region, with homes and roads flooded and SEPTA lines shuttered. The waters of the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers are yet to crest, with concerns for flooding in Rieglesville, Yardley and Trenton and other locations. And it is still raining.

Other areas have it worse. Flooding is severe in Northeastern Pennsylvania and Upstate New York. More than 100,000 Pennsylvanians have been evacuated from along the Susquehanna River in expectation of historic flood crests not seen in years.  

As the church we can be a healing and helping presence in flood ravaged communities. The need for volunteers in our communities will not be known until waters recede and damage can be fully assessed.  But Lutheran Disaster Response in Eastern Pennsylvania reports that the needs will certainly be there.

In the meantime, you and your congregation have a role to play.

Pray -- Keep the hundreds of thousands of people directly affected in prayer. Here is a petition you can use in worship Sunday:

You stirred the waters to create and sustain life.

Be with those who are threatened by flood waters, especially in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Vermont.

Grant them a safe evacuation, peace while waiting for the waters to subside, and strength in the process of recovery to come.

Inspire us to lend assistance in their time of need, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Take action -- As the waters rise, there are several things you can do to help your community. LDR-EPA offers some suggestions:

• Do wellness checks on members of your congregation and friends who live in flood prone areas, especially on those who are elderly and/or have medical needs.
• Consider opening your church building to offer meals and/or shelter for people who may be temporarily displaced or without power.
• Offer hospitality to first-responders operating in your community.

Get ready to volunteer -- Many response organizations mobilized their core responders after Hurricane Irene, and have had crews working. As this situation wears on, new volunteers will be needed to help with increasing needs. 

• If your congregation has a work crew ready to mobilize, make sure you contact Lutheran Congregational Services, the Eastern PA LDR affiliate, to register so that you can be contacted when needs arise. Visit their website or call 610-770-9205.
• Make the need for flood cleanup workers known in your congregation and encourage members to volunteer. Local work days are a good way to give new volunteers the "mission trip" experience.
• Gather cleaning supplies. Congregations interested in providing flood buckets, please contact Julia Menzo (email or 215-424-3741 ext.203) about flood bucket drop off locations. The content list requirements are available here.