Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12

As I participated on the NYVOAD conference call this morning where organization after organization shared the efforts they have begun to respond to the many needs of those impacted by Hurricane Irene, I was reminded that we are all parts of the body of Christ and that it does indeed take all the parts to carry out God’s call to mission.  Please continue to pray for all who have been affected by this major disaster and for all those responding to help and consider how you and your congregation can help.

For those in storm impacted areas - The U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced federal aid is available in New York State.   Residents and business owners who have sustained losses in the designated counties can register for assistance online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362).

Ways your congregation can help –

1. Gather materials and assemble "Flood Buckets” used in clean-up.
   • Drop off location in Niagara Frontier (WNY) is: Still in One Peace Crisis Services, 9365 Clarence Center Rd., Clarence Ctr., NY, Contact is Pr. Steve Biegner, stevebiegner@gmail.com, 716-868-1232.
   • Drop off location in Genesee Finger Lakes is: Trinity Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 761 Elmgrove Rd., Rochester, NY.  Contact either Gary Roller, gwr67@peoplepc.com, or Frank Haak, 585-544-1095.
   • Watch for information no a drop off location in Central Crossroads.
2. School supplies will also be needed in affected areas.
3. Volunteer work teams to assist with clean-up, mucking out and rebuilding. Please email availability to ldrupstateny@gmail.com providing type of assistance you can provide, # of volunteers, possible availability dates, and contact name, phone and email.  This will allow us to be ready when the systems are in place to connect volunteers with clean-up sites.  NYVOAD is coordinating this effort state wide.  You may also communicate your availability directly to NYVOAD at admin@nyvoad.org.
4. Give a donation to support LDR, Upstate NY Hurricane/Flood Relief, c/o Lutheran Homes Foundation, 108-110 Utica Rd., Clinton, NY  13323 (Checks made payable to “Lutheran Homes Foundation” - please note LDR-Upstate NY in the memo line). Donations support the LDR staff working locally in the wake of the disaster to share information, train and coordinate volunteers in the wake of disaster and to support recovery efforts.  You may also donate online through the national LDR website.

Lord Jesus, help us to cling to the everlasting truths of our faith; that God loves us and will never abandon us and that we are able to do all things in Christ who saves us.  Amen.

Grace and peace,

Patsy Glista, AIM

LDR Coordinator, Upstate New York

Assistant to the Bishop for Operations, Upstate New York Synod, ELCA

(315)289-2686, pglista@upstatenysynod.org