From the Caribbean to the North Atlantic Coast, millions of people have evacuated their homes and communities due to Hurricane Sandy. Strong winds and torrential rains have led to loss of power, flooding and mass destruction. The storm sent trees crashing down and left neighborhood streets looking like rivers.
ELCA Response:
Through ELCA Disaster Response, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is responding in areas affected by Hurricane Sandy. In the Caribbean, through our global church partnerships, we are providing basic needs such as food, water and shelter. In Haiti, outbreaks of cholera have been reported. The ELCA has been working with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Haiti to build capacity in preserving health and wellness related to cholera. Throughout the United States we are working hand-in-hand with synods and ministry organizations who are experts at outreach in their communities.
We are working with church bodies in Cuba and Haiti and are in close contact with synods, congregations and disaster response partners within the United States to meet the immediate needs of those affected by this storm. And we will continue to help for as long as we are needed.
What you can do:
Pray:
As the communities work to recover, please keep them and those who work on their behalf in prayer.
Gracious God,
Your word of peace stills the storms that rage in our world.
Bring hope to places that know devastation in the calm after the storm.
Bring comfort to those who grieve the loss of loved ones and property.
Let your love be known through those who work to bring order in the chaos.
Help us to shoulder the burden of suffering
And make us bearers of the hope that can be found in you
Through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
(Evangelical Lutheran Worship: Occasional Services for the Assembly, page 394)
Wednesday, October 31st, 2012 at 9:53 am
