November 8, 2017 in Disaster Response, Faith in action
Council Supports Synods Affected by Disasters
The Synod Council authorized distribution of $11,000 in aid to synods that felt the impact of recent hurricanes and wildfires. The confluence of natural disasters had significant impacts in eight of the ELCA’s 65 synods at the same time.
“Saint Paul encourages the church in his letter to the Romans to ”rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep,” Bishop Burkat and Vice President Tracey A. Beasley wrote in a letter to the bishops of the synods affected.
“We are encouraging contributions to Lutheran Disaster Response throughout our congregations, however, we are well aware that those gifts do not address the great strain on resources synods also experience in such a time.”
The Caribbean Synod, which includes Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands that experienced significant damage from Hurricane Maria, received $4,000. The synods devastated by Hurricane Harvey — Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod and Southwestern Texas Synod — each received $1,000, as did the synods affected by Hurricane Irma — Florida-Bahamas Synod and Southeastern Synod — and those that experienced severe wildfires — Sierra Pacific Synod, Oregon Synod and Montana Synod.
The Synod Council brainstormed other ways to offer assistance and will work with these partner synods as needs are identified.
Lutheran Disaster Response is providing long-term recovery assistance across these regions. Learn more and contribute at elca.org/disaster.
