Lutheran Disaster Response is hosting a webinar on Saturday, April 24, 2010, 9am - 12noon, on disaster spiritual & emotional care presented by Rev. Kevin Massey, Executive Director of LDR.  There are 3 host locations - Holy Trinity, Buffalo; St. John's Home, Rochester; and the American Red Cross, Utica.  Please share the attached information with rostered leaders and congregations in your conference and encourage their participation.   The webinar will last 90 minutes and will be followed by facilitated discussion at each site about how participants can work together to plan for providing spiritual care in the event of a local disaster.  Facilitators at each site are:

• Holy Trinity - Rev. Eric Olsen
• St. John's - Gary Roller
• Red Cross - Rev. Janet Hoover (Presbyterian pastor) and Peg Ward (lay Presbyterian pastor)

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is preparing a social statement that addresses issues in genetics and biotechnology, a task authorized by the 2005 Churchwide Assembly. The ELCA's Genetics Task Force was formed in 2007 to lead this process and craft a proposed social statement to be considered by the 2011 Churchwide Assembly.

The proposed statement will be released on March 18. Congregations are invited to study the statement and provide comments to the task force by October 15, 2010.  A final proposed document, with possible revisions based on comment and review, will be prepared and reviewed by the Church Council.  The council is expected to transmit
the proposed social statement for action by the 2011 assembly.

Information about the proposed social statement, names of task force members, a timeline, study documents, background material and other documents relating to the work of the Genetics Task Force is available on the ELCA website.

Robert Roger Lebel, Syracuse, NY, a member of King of Kings, Liverpool, NY, serves as a member of the Genetics Task Force. Dr. Lebel will be leading a discussion of the draft social statement that addresses significant theological, ethical, public, and pastoral challenges arising from developments in genetics on Saturday, May 1, 2010 from 9:30 - 12:15 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Buffalo, NY. The gathering is open to rostered leaders, church members and guests. Call the church office to reserve continental breakfast and a copy of the draft statement Genetics and Faith - 716-886-2400, Ext. 10.

Chile EarthquakeAn 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit central Chile February 27,  2010, at approximately 3:30 a.m. local time about 70 miles northeast of the city of Concepcion and 200 miles south of the capital, Santiago. The earthquake is the biggest to hit Chile in 50 years.

What you can do:

Pray:

God our creator, through whose providing care we enjoy all goodness and life, turn our eyes to your mercy in this time of confusion and loss.  Comfort those who mourn the loss of loved ones because of the earthquake; shine your light on those whose only companion is darkness; and teach us all so to number our days that we may apply our hearts to your wisdom; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.  (Adapted from ELW, pew edition, page 77)

Give:

Gifts to ELCA Chile Earthquake Response help us to provide immediate and effective support to communities which are in need. Please consider giving to support the needs of this response and others like it.  Information on giving is provided in the box on the right "How You Can Help." 100% of your gift will be used in full to bring life sustaining support to this crisis. Thank you for your prayerful consideration.

Connect:

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