Hurricane Katrina Disaster Response

PRAY. In praying, we are joining our brothers and sisters in Christ and those in other communities of faith in lifting before God the victims of this disaster. Please join in praying for those who have lost their homes and jobs, those who have lost loved ones, pastors and other rostered leaders who are caring for the congregations they are called to serve while also facing loss and destruction in their own lives, the three synods most directly affected and their bishops (Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod and Bishop Paul Blom, Southeastern Synod and Bishop Ronald Warren, and Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod and Bishop Kevin Kanouse), affected congregations, relief workers, those tempted to prey upon the vulnerable, and all, including us, who are called to respond in the name of the Lord in the face of this tragedy.
INFORM. A bulletin-ready message concerning disaster response to Hurricane Katrina and other resources are available for download at www.elca.org/disaster. Continue to check the web site for updated information on our church’s response strategy following this disaster.
GIVE. Cash donations "allow volunteer agencies to issue cash vouchers to victims so they can meet their needs. Cash donations also allow agencies to avoid the labor-intensive need to store, sort, pack and distribute donated goods. Donated money prevents, too, the prohibitive cost of air or sea transportation that donated goods require."
Donations in the Lower Susquehanna Synod may be channeled through the synod treasurer’s office. Indicate “Hurricane Katrina” on the memo line. Donation also may be sent directly to:

ELCA Domestic Disaster Response, P.O. Box 71764,
Chicago, Illinois 60694-1764
Credit card gift line: 1-800-638-3522
Credit card gifts via Internet:
http://www.ELCA.org/scriptlib/dcm/giving/ddisaster.asp
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has announced a generous gift supplement program for individual Thrivent members giving to Hurricane Katrina relief and recovery. If you are a member of Thrivent Financial, please visit www.thrivent.com/fraternal/katrina.html for more information and an important form that is required for the supplement. We are grateful for Thrivent's partnership in our ELCA Domestic Disaster Response ministry!
Give for the care of pastors and other rostered leaders who are ministering to the congregations and families they serve while also facing their own family and personal losses These church leaders are under a great deal of strain in these days as they respond to the need of their congregations and parishioners, many of whom have been scattered to places unknown. Mark "care of leaders" on your donations for these Bishops' Discretionary Funds, which can be sent directly to the synods or channeled through our synod treasurer's office.

PARTNERSHIP. Establish a partnership with a congregation affected by Hurricane Katrina. To partner with a congregation means to develop a relationship for both immediate need and long-term recovery. This kind of relationship might go on for one to five years, depending on the situation. Call the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod (281-873-5665) or the Southeastern Synod (404-589-1977) for the name of a congregation with whom your congregation can partner. If your congregation wants to partner with a congregation involved in caring for refugees from the Gulf Coast area, call the Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod (214-637-6865).
EARLY-RESPONSE VOLUNTEERS. There is a need, currently, for skilled volunteers in particular areas of service these are available on the ELCA Disaster Response Page, http://www.elca.org/disaster/article.asp?id=47&mode=3.

LATER-RESPONSE VOLUNTEERS. Volunteers will be needed for Hurricane Katrina relief and recovery efforts long into the future. Groups should watch www.elca.org/disaster for volunteer opportunities, or after the immediate crisis has past, send their contact information to ddr@elca.org with "volunteer" in the subject line. You may also call the volunteer hotline at 800/638-3522 x2298.Please keep the people in the path of this catastrophic storm in your prayers! Our Lower Susquehanna Lutheran Disaster Response Network will be coordinating volunteer placement and training with Lutheran Disaster Response. Tim Brown and Pastor William Snyder are coordinating the network response. Pastor Snyder can be reached at Lutheran Social Services of South Central Pennsylvania at 717-854-3971.