Hurricane Relief Update: How You Can Help
Katrina Update-November 23, 2005
Dear friends and fellow servants in Christ,
As we come together to thank God for His blessings to us and then begin the season of Advent we focus on the ultimate gift of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, let us again remember the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ in Louisiana whose lives have been dramatically changed by Katrina. Please consider helping them have celebrations that are filled with His love and compassion in one or more of the following ways.
1. Atonement Lutheran Church and School has given the SED office names of five additional families who have requested our prayers, love and support as they recover from the ravages of hurricane Katrina. Please prayerfully consider sponsoring one of these families and bring extra joy to them as they approach the Christmas season. We continue to receive notes of thanks from families who have been touched by the care and compassion of their sponsoring congregation. The SED is making a huge difference in many lives, and it would be wonderful if all 70 families had a sponsor by Christmas. Please note that sponsoring a family is not intended to be a huge financial commitment. Most important are the prayers and compassion extended to these hurting people. Please review the guidelines for sponsoring a family on the SED web site and discuss this with your congregation or a group within your congregation.
2. We have received from Atonement Church and School "Christmas Wish Lists" from 50 families. Most of these families have not requested a church sponsor, but find that they need assistance in providing their children with some special gifts at Christmas. This would be a perfect project for a Christian Day School, Sunday School, Confirmation Class, youth group, LWML. Men's group, small group, etc. Please contact the SED office at disasterhelp@se.lcms.org and we will fax you the request forms. Packages should be shipped to Atonement since mail service is not yet up and running in all areas of New Orleans.
3. Lutheran Social Services has given the SED the names of several Katrina evacuee families who have relocated to theD.C. area and are in need of "Christmas Wishes". Please let us know if you would like to assist in this way.
4. Lutheran Disaster Response TENT CITY at Atonement is up and running! Now they need volunteers to fill the tents and provide the man power necessary for clean-up and reconstruction. The LDR contact person at Atonement is Jessica Vermilyea who can be contacted by cell phone (985-630-4217) or email lavermilyea@aol.com. She shared that she has over 250 work orders waiting for a volunteer, so your time and talents are needed. You CANNOT just show up there! You must contact her ahead and reserve your space so she can plan her work week. Please let SED know if you plan to go down . At this time, we are aware of three groups going down and would love to be sending many more.
If you have any questions or wish to respond to any of the above requests for help, please contact the SED at disasterhelp@se.lems.org or call 1-800-637-5723 Ext. 215.
Many thanks to the many congregations, groups and individuals who have responded so lovingly to these wonderful families whose lives have been changed in so many ways. You are powerful reminders of the love of Christ that overcomes all adversities and the hope that we have in Him each and every day of our lives.
May God continue to bless our ministry to all His children!
In His <>< service,
Deaconess Liz DeMik
disasterhelp@se.lcms.org
Dear friends and fellow servants in Christ,
As we come together to thank God for His blessings to us and then begin the season of Advent we focus on the ultimate gift of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, let us again remember the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ in Louisiana whose lives have been dramatically changed by Katrina. Please consider helping them have celebrations that are filled with His love and compassion in one or more of the following ways.
1. Atonement Lutheran Church and School has given the SED office names of five additional families who have requested our prayers, love and support as they recover from the ravages of hurricane Katrina. Please prayerfully consider sponsoring one of these families and bring extra joy to them as they approach the Christmas season. We continue to receive notes of thanks from families who have been touched by the care and compassion of their sponsoring congregation. The SED is making a huge difference in many lives, and it would be wonderful if all 70 families had a sponsor by Christmas. Please note that sponsoring a family is not intended to be a huge financial commitment. Most important are the prayers and compassion extended to these hurting people. Please review the guidelines for sponsoring a family on the SED web site and discuss this with your congregation or a group within your congregation.
2. We have received from Atonement Church and School "Christmas Wish Lists" from 50 families. Most of these families have not requested a church sponsor, but find that they need assistance in providing their children with some special gifts at Christmas. This would be a perfect project for a Christian Day School, Sunday School, Confirmation Class, youth group, LWML. Men's group, small group, etc. Please contact the SED office at disasterhelp@se.lcms.org and we will fax you the request forms. Packages should be shipped to Atonement since mail service is not yet up and running in all areas of New Orleans.
3. Lutheran Social Services has given the SED the names of several Katrina evacuee families who have relocated to theD.C. area and are in need of "Christmas Wishes". Please let us know if you would like to assist in this way.
4. Lutheran Disaster Response TENT CITY at Atonement is up and running! Now they need volunteers to fill the tents and provide the man power necessary for clean-up and reconstruction. The LDR contact person at Atonement is Jessica Vermilyea who can be contacted by cell phone (985-630-4217) or email lavermilyea@aol.com. She shared that she has over 250 work orders waiting for a volunteer, so your time and talents are needed. You CANNOT just show up there! You must contact her ahead and reserve your space so she can plan her work week. Please let SED know if you plan to go down . At this time, we are aware of three groups going down and would love to be sending many more.
If you have any questions or wish to respond to any of the above requests for help, please contact the SED at disasterhelp@se.lems.org or call 1-800-637-5723 Ext. 215.
Many thanks to the many congregations, groups and individuals who have responded so lovingly to these wonderful families whose lives have been changed in so many ways. You are powerful reminders of the love of Christ that overcomes all adversities and the hope that we have in Him each and every day of our lives.
May God continue to bless our ministry to all His children!
In His <>< service,
Deaconess Liz DeMik
disasterhelp@se.lcms.org
posted by Jim Huffman at 2:35 PM
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