From Elaine Bryant, Associate Director for Lutheran Disaster Response
To the young woman who showed up at Grace Lutheran Church, Hamilton,
Montana, with two small suitcases and four small children - all her earthly
goods - the church was a beacon of help and hope. She was burned out in
every way. They received help with food and other physical needs. They
also received Christ's own care and love.
As LCMS District President George Wollenburg reminded clergy, "These fires are both a disaster and an opportunity for the church." The presence of Dr. Wollenburg and Rev. Tom Lee, Assistant to the ELCA Bishop of the Montana Synod, among pastors, church leaders and community sites signaled the concern and involvement of the church through Lutheran Disaster Response, a cooperative domestic ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America and The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod.
Lutheran Disaster Response, working in partnership with Lutheran Social Service of Montana (Dr. Sharon Erickson, CEO), has appointed Maureen O'Malley as coordinator. On Monday, the emergency assistance given by Grace and Faith Lutheran Church will be centralized in Hamilton in a trailer on a public parking lot. Distribution of HEPA filters will continue. This assistance is supported by LDR Coalition partner AAL. Other efforts will be put in place as assessments continue in Montana and Idaho.
Pray for
- the residents of smoke filled valleys and evacuation shelters, those who have or may lose their homes--many without hope.
- the Firefighters and National Guard who give long days to provide protection of property and lives.
- the pastors and church members who fight fire with "fire" - on fire with the Holy Spirit as they offer physical care and spiritual hope to the
discouraged, weary and grieving.
At the present time only professional volunteers (firefighters and Red Cross
workers) are needed. Contributions for Montana Fires may be sent to:
LCMS World Relief, PO Box 66861, St. Louis, MO 63166-9810; Credit Card gift line: 1-888-930-4438
ELCA Domestic Disaster Response; PO Box 71764; Chicago, IL 60694-1764; Credit Card Gift Line 1-800-638-3522; on-line web giving:
www.elca.org/dcs/disaster
Elaine (Richter) Bryant
|