Now that Hurricane Sandy has passed, our hearts and prayers go out to all who have suffered loss of life, property, or have been traumatized by this historic storm.

 

Let us pause to thank God for:

• the selfless bravery of the first responders - firefighters, police officers and EMTs - who were God's hands to rescue many people from harm's way.
• the medical staff into whose arms the injured were delivered; the doctors, nurses and aides who cared for those in hospitals through the worst of the storm.
• the wisdom of public officials who ordered evacuations to move people from peril.
• the power and recovery workers from across the country who have come to assist us here in the Northeast.

In the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, the worst-case predictions did not come to pass. While there is significant property damage and loss of power, the catastrophic river and stream flooding that were forecast did not occur. I have been in contact with pastors and congregations in several flood-prone areas and they are safe and dry. Many people, myself included, are without power or displaced from their homes in our communities. I encourage you and your congregation to do what you can to check on and assist your neighbors, and to support and encourage those who are doing recovery work in our neighborhoods.

 

Lutheran Disaster Response-Eastern PA is in continuous touch with national LDR officials and local voluntary agencies such as the Red Cross to ensure that long-term assistance is available as needs become more clear. LDR is working with many partners, from other denominations and from non-religious relief agencies, to help those facing the devastation of this storm.

 

In the days and weeks to come, they will need your help - whether that comes in the form of donations to Lutheran Disaster Response or through your work as a volunteer on an LDR team. These opportunities to help will be made known through our various communications channels so that together we can be God's hands for those who have experienced loss.

 

This Sunday I am scheduled to visit Evangelical, Durham, in an area of Bucks County coping with numerous power outages. Please join me in using this prayer of the day in your worship for All Saints Day or in your prayer petitions:

 

Gracious and merciful God, who has joined us together in the communion of saints across time and eternity, unite us as we turn our hearts and minds to the needs of our neighbors.  Empower us to bring your love and comfort for those who are injured, grieving, displaced or distressed by this storm and its aftermath. Help us to be generous in our giving of time, compassion and resources, as they are needed. Through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, Amen.

 

With and in Christ,

 

+ Bishop Claire Burkat

 

 

 

Donations to ELCA Disaster Response will be used in the area of greatest needs caused by Sandy.

 

Donations to LDR-Eastern PA will be used to support relief operations in the 19 counties of Eastern Pennsylvania. Please send donations to Lutheran Congregational Services, 1923 Hanover Avenue, Allentown, PA 18109 with "Disaster" in the memo line 

 

 

 

If your congregation or ministry has sustained damage, please let us know at the Synod office and/or via Julia Menzo at LDR (215-424-3741 or jmenzo@libertylutheran.org)

 

 

News and Notes

 

Lutheran Disaster Response is already receiving some requests for volunteer assistance:

 

• American Red Cross volunteers are being sought to staff shelters and also to perform disaster assessments.  Disaster assessment volunteers will receive training.  Basic administrative skills are required and volunteers will go  literally street to street and get a visual assessment and possible verbal if clients are outside.  There will be some walking required, but other than that, no real physical demands.  Please contact Katie.Parsell@redcross.org if you are interested in volunteering. 
• Current volunteer needs related to Sandy response are being posted on http://unitedforimpact.org/ways-to-engage/volunteer.
• A shelter for people displaced from a local facility is opening as soon as tonight in Souderton.  Community groups  and congregations are being sought to assist with staffing or support.  Please contact Tim Elbertson at TElberts@montcopa.org if you have a resource you can provide to support this shelter.