Just a few months ago, this mission message was about Lutheran Disaster Relief and the destructive weather in the mid-west. At the risk of repetition, this month's is about LDR again, because now the flooding has hit so close to home. Hurricanes Irene and Lee dumped torrential rains on parts of New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New England. The churches in our synod affected include Bethany in Central Bridge, St Paul's in Oak Hill, and Christ the King in Vestal. St Luke's in Sidney is being used as an emergency shelter. Members from Cobleskill, Richmondville, and Liverpool are helping in various capacities.

Long Term Recovery efforts are underway in counties across upstate New York. In Schoharie County LDR Team Leader, Vern Hall has been instrumental in the organization of that area's long term recovery group. Your congregation's regular mission support to synod helps fund LDR. Specific donations can be made through your congregation, or send donations to: LDR, Upstate NY Hurricane/Flood Relief, c/o Lutheran Homes Foundation, 108 Utica Rd., Clinton, NY 13323. (Checks payable to "Lutheran Homes Foundation" - please note Upstate NY Hurricane/Flood Relief in the memo line.) To date More than $7,000 of our $15,000 goal has been raised to date for Upstate NY LDR Hurricane/Flood Relief.

God's work, our hands.

Submitted by Marcia Brown, Mission Interpreter