With the Buffalo Roast quickly approaching and with two thirds of our proceeds going to Lutheran Disaster Response and Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota, I thought it might be helpful to know more about these two Social Services.
Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Begun in 1972, following significant flooding from Hurricane Agnes in eastern Pennsylvania, Lutheran Disaster Response brings together the energy and efforts of Lutherans from around the country to respond to natural and human-caused disasters in the United States and its territories. (From http://www.ldr.org/about/). Funding that we give which goes to the Larger ELCA church body also funds Lutheran Disaster Relief in countries outside of the U.S.A.
In the U.S.A. LDR is currently assisting with families affected by the Colorado and Montana Wildfires. Over 20,000 acres of land and 600 homes in Colorado alone have been destroyed. LDR is helping to distribute food, toiletries and medical supplies in these areas as well as to work with Lutheran churches in these areas to provide temporary housing as needed. In addition, Sky Ranch, a Lutheran Youth and Family camp near Fort Collins CO. (similar to our WAPO), has been evacuated and shut down due to the fires. Funds are helping these families and Sky Ranch to maintain ministries for youth and families in other ways.
Not long ago, Tropical Storm Debby hit Florida and LDR is working with local authorities to assist where needed. – A few years ago when Hurricane Hugo affected the Louisiana coast LDR was one of the first disaster response agencies to set up in the area to provide assistance and years later was the last one to leave the area, providing much needed help when the press had gone away and people were still in need.
In Minnesota we are all aware of the flooding up north. LDR has been helping people primarily in the Duluth and Moose Lake areas. Many Lutherans have lost homes and Hope Lutheran in Moose Lake was flooded. Here in Minnesota LDR is working with Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota LSSMN to set up Camp Noah at Hope Lutheran in Moose Lake.
Camp Noah is a camp created to help families with children who have been affected by flooding or disaster. For 15 years, Camp Noah has been meeting the needs of children who have experienced disaster by giving them a safe and comforting place to play with friends, laugh out loud, be creative, and process their disaster experience.
LSSMN helps people in MN to recover from disasters and so much more. They have 22 different services which help with everything from Adoption and Crisis Shelters for domestic abuse, to Homelessness and Housing issues and help with our Veterans returning from war. To see more about their services you can look on line at http://www.lssmn.org/Services/ or call 651.642.5990 or 1.800.582.5260.
In both cases you can help by praying, donating financially, or volunteering your time!
As we invite people to the BUFFALO ROAST, let’s be sure to let people know that the money we raise will be going to support these two important ministries! And, as always… ministry is about relationship! Invite someone you know to join us in our ministry and service efforts! – Thanks be to God!
Pastor Dan