Lutheran Disaster Response

As part of Federal Emergency Management Agency's Protecting Places of Workshop Weeks of Action, at 11 a.m. Eastern today, the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention’s Briefing will discuss the progress the Biden-Harris Administration has made to reduce gun violence since President Biden established the first-ever Office of Gun Violence prevention nearly one year ago and asked Vice President Harris to oversee the office.

The briefing will be open to any organization or individual interested in learning more. Look for the link in the comments!

Thanks so much to everyone who made these Clean-up and Comfort Kits possible!

The first load of Clean-up Kits and Children's Comfort Kits from God's Work Our Hands Day projects in the Carolinas have made their way into storage until they are needed.

Thanks to Pastor John Tucker and the folks at Lutheran Chapel for providing this space!

Dear friends, Tropical Storm Francine is forecasted to become a hurricane before making landfall tomorrow in Louisana. "Storm surge, flooding rainfall, damaging winds and tornadoes will impact Lousiana and other parts of the Gulf Coast and South." (The Weather Channel)

All of the 3,000 disaster relief kits that we created in July have been distributed and are out in the community. While these kits provide initial relief, there is much more to come. If you're able, we encourage you to make a donation today to one of our partners doing incredible work in the Gulf Coast area before, during, and after a tragedy hits.

👇 Donate to Louisiana Just Recovery Network
https://secure.everyaction.com/U8BmXz-BnEu97HHeH6kAJA2

👇 Donate to Lutheran Disaster Response
https://community.elca.org/lutherandisasterresponse

We love seeing your "God's work. Our hands." service projects! Who else participated in disaster-related projects?

The stories in the 2024 issue of “Thrive” show the holistic approach of Lutheran Disaster Response. As we accompany individuals around the world, from Maui to the West Bank, your support for Lutheran Disaster Response demonstrates the value of our relationships.

Download: https://bit.ly/3Xv3Vsz
Order: https://bit.ly/3Z6UMru

“God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday is right around the corner, on Sept. 8, 2024! Still looking for service project ideas? Check out this blog post from 2023:

"God's work. Our hands." Sunday Ideas - Lutheran Disaster Response “God’s Work. Our Hands.” Sunday will be here before you know it! 2023 is the tenth year of GWOH Sunday, which is a day of service dedicated to community service. This year, it falls on September 10.   GWOH Sunday is a great opportunity to participate in disaster response and preparedness work...

After a tornado tore through Selma, Ala., in January 2023, Sheronda Armstrong became a community outreach worker, walking alongside people in her community that needed recovery assistance. Support from Lutheran Disaster Response helps make Sheronda's work possible as she touches countless lives.

Read the full story in the summer issue of "Boundless."
https://bit.ly/478xYcN

Today marks one year since the devastating wildfires broke out on Maui. A year on, Lutheran Disaster Response is involved in long-term recovery by partnering with Kihei Lutheran Church, the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement and Pacific Health Ministry.

Photos: Kihei Lutheran Church supports the Kelawea Mauka Community Hub, which delivers food to people impacted by the fires.

Disasters can bring out deep levels of faith and love for our neighbors. In response to a line of severe storms in late June, the congregation of Apple Grove Lutheran Church in southwest Wisconsin and the staff of Lutheran Lakeside Camp in northwest Iowa showed that they can still offer support for their communities in the midst of facing devastation on their own properties.

Lutherans respond to severe Midwest storms - Living Lutheran For a congregation and camp in the Midwest, devastating weather events became opportunities to share and receive God’s love in profound ways.

We pray for all those impacted by Hurricane Debby. Here is some great information from LDR Carolinas.

Responding to Debby | LDR Carolinas This morning dawned bright and clear in the High Country of North Carolina, where we stayed last night after an LDR Carolinas Sunday yesterday at Bethany Lutheran Church, just outside Boone. But we have been following closely the forecasts for Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas as Tropical Storm .....

We had so much fun at the ELCA Youth Gathering, showing youth and young adults the realities of experiencing a disaster, and the importance of always being prepared! We can't wait for the next Gathering - see you in Minneapolis!

We are having a blast here at the ELCA Youth Gathering - where we are created to be resilient!

In January 2023, a severe tornado outbreak in Georgia damaged thousands of buildings, some of which were completely destroyed. Through the Southeastern Synod, Lutheran Disaster Response is providing a construction manager and building materials for home repair. Volunteer teams are repairing roofs and replacing flooring and drywall.

After flooding washed out a bridge in rural North Carolina, residents were nearly trapped in their homes. A small, temporary bridge was built, but it was only large enough for an ATV, limiting transportation for the community. Lutheran Disaster Response, along with other partners, supplied Mennonite Disaster Service with the materials to rebuild these bridges.

“When it rains, we’d get real nervous—the road was always flooded over or washed out, and we’d get stuck,” said one resident. With the new bridge, residents now have peace of mind whenever heavy rains hit.

“This bridge? It’s Christmas” – Mennonite Disaster Service Twenty-nine families in Iron Station, North Carolina, are sleeping better at night. And their daytimes got better, too, after Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) volunteers constructed a new 60-foot...

Congratulations to the Lutheran World Federation Nepal program for 40 years of service! LWF Nepal has been an ELCA partner for many years. Through Lutheran Disaster Response, we have supported flood response and resiliency projects and ELCA World Hunger supports livelihood training for former bonded laborers. We are so grateful for this partnership!

LWF Nepal celebrates 40 years of work for people in need A long-term commitment to development work in the Himalayas: The LWF Nepal program celebrates 40 years and many achievements in supporting former bonded laborers, women and youth, people with disabilities, members of lower caste and indigenous groups, refugees, and IDPs.

Together, we pray for those affected by the devastating flooding throughout the Midwest.

We pray for Apple Grove Lutheran Church, the surrounding community and all those impacted by the severe storms. Lord, hear our prayers.

June 20 is World Refugee Day, a time to show our solidarity with refugees. Around the world, Lutheran Disaster Response accompanies refugees, working to meet their basic needs and advocate for their rights.

Take action today to support policy that improves disaster relief and resilience! Legislation such as the bipartisan Reforming Disaster Recovery Act will generate more equitable access to recovery funds and programs, ensure greater long-term security and resilience, and establish stronger partnerships with our ministries who are committed to recovery assistance. Learn more and take action:

Support Policy that Improves Disaster Relief and Resilience I just took action on an issue that I consider important. I urge you to take action yourself and spread the word!

As a dangerous heat dome settles over the western United States, it's an important time to go over extreme heat safety measures!

It's ! To celebrate, consider participating in the Lutherans Restoring Creation Art Contest. This art project asks for young Lutherans across our nation to imagine a better future, showing what our communities and church would look like if we lived in harmony with God’s Creation.

Submissions will be shown at the Lutherans Restoring Creation display at 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering - not too far from the Lutheran Disaster Response area!

Lutherans Restoring Creation Art Contest! In preparation for Youth Gathering 2024, LRC is hosting an art contest to inspire creativity and hope around what our future can be.

Today is the first day of the Atlantic hurricane season. Predicted to be more active than usual, let us pray for all those who may be impacted by hurricanes and tropical storms in the months ahead.

God of compassion and mercy, as we witness the violence in Rafah and in the West Bank, we lament. We mourn the loss of lives – of people created in the image of God – and especially the deadly violence inflicted upon women and children. We grieve the suffering of all people, and especially the wounded, the refugees seeking shelter where none seem to exist, and all people fearing the safety and wellbeing of their loved ones. Our hearts ache for grieving widows, distraught parents, and orphaned children. Surround them with your unfailing love, O God.

For those fearing what tomorrow could bring, be their refuge and strength. In this time of chaos and unrelenting death, let them feel your peace that surpasses all understanding.

Hear the cries of all who long for peace. Guide leaders throughout the world with your wisdom, so that their eyes may be opened to the injustice that violence brings. Give them the courage to lay down arms and seek paths of resolution through diplomacy.

O God of comfort, hold the brokenhearted close. Shine your everlasting light through all areas of conflict so that your love can prevail.

In Jesus most holy name,
Amen

In a Maryland community impacted by coastal flooding, Lutheran Disaster Response is raising homes above the water level. Check out the full story in the Spring 2024 issue of LifeLines, as well as view financial highlights from 2023.

https://bit.ly/3yz6eB6