We give thanks for all whom God has kept out of harm's way as Hurricane Sandy makes her trek across the Northeast and for those who are providing shelter from the storm. While there have been power outages, downed trees and some phone interruptions most of upstate has had minimal impact from the storm. Our neighbors in the Metro Synod, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia synods have not been as fortunate. We continue to pray for those who have been impacted and are still being impacted by tidal floods, heavy snow, rain, wind, power outages, road closures and public transit cessation and for all those emergency workers helping to provide shelter, food and repairs to downed power lines and phone communications.

 

Our Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) volunteers are in communication and collaboration with faith partners and not-for-profit organizations through the New York State Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster. In the coming days our LDR Chair, Gary Roller will continue to be in contact with our LDR partners and others as damage is assessed and we begin to learn how we can be most helpful with resource mobilization for the clean-up and recovery work.

 

Consider ways that you and your congregation can best help. Financial donations can be made to the ELCA Disaster Response and Lutheran Disaster Response to support the recovery efforts. An ELCA bulletin insert is also available. As information becomes available it will shared on the synod website and through the Upstate Update.

 

In the interim, please pray for all those affected by the storm.

 

Merciful God, when the chaos of natural disaster threatens to overtake us, awaken our faith to know the power of your peace. Deliver us from our fear and ease our anxiety. Help us to endure the time of uncertainty and give us strength to face the challenges ahead. Give us the assurance of your presence even in this time so that we can cling to your promise of hope and life shown to us. Amen.

 

Grace and peace,

Marie C. Jerge, Bishop