God of renewing love, sustain those who continue to suffer and rebuild in the aftermath of this disaster.  Bring hope in the midst of despair. Grant patience and endurance to those who bring aid and assistance.  In the name of your Son, Jesus Christ.  Amen

As I write this, the TV warns of more flooding to already struggling areas of our state from the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee which soaked Louisiana and other Gulf states.  God, please turn off the faucet is what I want to shout.  Amidst my frustration I am ever so thankful for the volunteers of the LDR Leadership Team, folks like Pr. Steve Biegner who is spearheading Flood Bucket efforts in WNY, volunteers who are helping with clean-up, and many others across our synod who are helping.  Flood Buckets are now an ecumenical partnership with the United Methodists and the United Church of Christ.  Completed Flood Buckets may be dropped off at the following locations:

• Niagara Frontier (WNY) - Still in One Peace Crisis Services, 9365 Clarence Center Rd., Clarence Ctr., NY, Contact is Pr. Steve Biegner, stevebiegner@gmail.com, 716-868-1232.
• Genesee Finger Lakes - Trinity Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 761 Elmgrove Rd., Rochester, NY. Contact either Gary Roller, gwr67@peoplepc.com, or Frank Haak, (585)544-1095.
• Central Crossroads – 
  • Syracuse area:  King of Kings Lutheran Church, 8278 Oswego Rd., Liverpool, NY.  (315) 622-2077;
  • Rome: First United Methodist Church, 400 N. George St., Rome, NY (315) 336-1740.
  • Utica area: New Hartford First United Methodist Church, 105 Genesee St., New Hartford, NY  (315)  733-4227

LDR is a member of the New York Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NYVOAD), a partnership of agencies who work together on disaster recovery.  NYVOAD is coordinating requests for household clean-up and mud-out in impacted areas across New York State.  Leighton Jones, Chair of NYVOAD shares that there are currently dozens of teams from NYVOAD member agencies on the ground assisting residents in cleaning flood debris from their residences.  This effort is being coordinated by NYVOAD statewide.

Residents with requests for clean-up help can call 211 in their area (211 of NENY and 211 Hudson Valley) or if 211 is unavailable they can complete the request form at www.nyvoad.org/debris.

For more information and daily NYVOAD Situation Reports from Hurricane Irene response visit www.nyvoad.org.

Gracious God, help us to shoulder the burden of suffering and make us bearers of hope that can be found in you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Amen.

Grace and peace,

Patsy Glista, AIM

LDR Coordinator, Upstate New York

(315)289-2686 (cell)

pglista@upstatenysynod.org

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

Lutheran Disaster Response, Upstate New York is a ministry of LutheranCare in Clinton, NY