Are you a Ready Congregation? PDF Print E-mail

September is National Preparedness month. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says that the likelihood of our surviving a disaster depends primarily upon the tools and plans we have in place in advance of an emergency or disaster situation. Preparedness Month is a good time for you and your family to sit down and develop a plan. FEMA recommends four easy steps:

  • Get a Kit of emergency supplies,
  • Make a Plan for what you will do in an emergency,
  • Be Informed about what might happen, and
  • Get Involved in preparing your community. 

Visit www.ready.gov for more information and tips on what to include in each of these steps.

Faith-based communities need to be prepared for emergencies and can begin with the same basic four steps. The support and services provided by congregations and faith-based social service and disaster programs are integral to all phases of the disaster cycle. Congregations can offer: comfort and hope, prayer and worship services/events, and be a voice for justice and healing. They can offer their buildings for shelters, help to feed persons displaced by disaster and provide much needed labor in the long term recovery and rebuilding process. 
 
Does your congregation have a disaster plan in place? 
 
Learn about how your mission dollars aid ELCA Disaster Response to help around the world. Know the emergency responders in your community - offer to help and then get involved.
 
Resources are available to help form your congregation plan. Lutheran Disaster Response working through local affiliates across the country provides resources and financial support in times of disaster. LDR has provided $75,000 in financial support for long term recovery in upstate NY since Hurricane Irene hit in August 2011. The LDR Leadership Team in our synod is available to guide your congregation in the planning process and provide preparedness education. 
Patsy Glista, AIM
Assistant to the Bishop for Operations
LDR Liaison 
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