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By: Rev. Jeff L. Kane
This is the fourth in a series of articles featuring synod committees, teams, task forces, and networks as outlined in Bishop Jerge's October 3rd article.
The Communication Strategy Team (CST) works in cooperation with key synod staff to ensure that the various communication tools, methods and new approaches to communication are as effective as possible. The CST has looked strategically at over twenty-four different communication pieces including the Upstate Update, Assembly Communications, Synod DVDs, and the Synod's social media outlets. While the CST may not be directly working on every piece of Synod communication, the intent is to present a consistent and purposeful approach to communications throughout the Synod.
While the primary purpose remains strategic and advisory, the CST does, at times, work on specific projects. The CST has also recently considered issues such as the possibility of publishing the Upstate Update more frequently, has previewed a future version of the Synod Website currently in pre-production and given feedback on the Upstate New York Synod Inserts now being published in The Lutheran magazine. It has been a pleasure for the CST to work with many talented and committed people as we communicate the stories of changed lives throughout our Synod. |
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by Patsy Glista, AIM, Assistant to the Bishop for Operations
 The Rev. Joseph Chu, Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) Associate Program Director, is in Upstate New York this week touring the areas impacted by the 2011 Hurricane Irene. On Tuesday, he visited Schoharie Area Long Term, Inc. (SALT) to see firsthand the work being achieved by SALT and partner agencies. Recovery efforts in the Schoharie Creek Basin have drawn national attention due to the uniqueness of their model and the breadth and pace of accomplishments. Pastor Chu met with SALT staff and board members to get a picture of SALT's effectiveness, methods, and future vision.
 LDR has been a significant supporter of the recovery work being done in Schoharie providing $105,000 in financial assistance since the landfall of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee in August 2011. Additionally, congregations across our synod helped raise over $40,000 which has been used to meet unmet needs of storm victims including new furnaces, rebuilding of basements and rewiring, and aiding in repairs to two church buildings. Financial and volunteer work team support continues to be needed in the Schoharie area with more than 200 families still in need of help to return to their homes. To find out how your congregation can assist contact SALT at (518) 702-5017 or visit their website at http://www.saltrecovery.org/. Congregations in the Central Crossroads Conference may want to partner with Vanderkamp's Short Term Experience in Mission trip scheduled for early April.
 Read about a volunteers who made a difference with SALT on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
 King of Kings, Liverpool and Vanderkamp Christian Retreat Center are working together to offer a Short Term Experience in Mission (STEM). This is an alternative spring break retreat for senior high students (grades 9-12) that will assist the recovery efforts in Schoharie County. The trip will begin on Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at Vanderkamp. From there the trip takes youth to Schoharie for two days and returns to Vanderkamp for a debriefing. Youth may be picked up at 11:00 am on Friday, April 5. Registration information is available on the Vanderkamp website along with permission slips and medical forms. The cost of the trip is $75 and scholarships are available from Lutheran Disaster Response. |
 Schoharie, NY—January 23, 2013. Over the weekend Schoharie Area Long Term (SALT) and Schoharie Recovery Inc. staff along with AmeriCorp Volunteer in Service to America (VISTA) members coordinated a volunteer weekend and preparedness campaign for the Corporation of National and Community Service’s Martin Luther King (MLK) Day of Service.
On Saturday, January 19 through Monday, January 21 VISTA members, SALT staff and Schoharie Recovery Inc. staff coordinated over 100 volunteers for the ongoing recovery efforts. Work was accomplished at 7 flood damaged properties in both Schoharie and Middleburgh, at the CARE for NYS Donation Center and through surveying over 60 homes to assess their unmet recovery needs. Both individuals and groups came to volunteer. Individuals included Assemblyman Pete Lopez, Kathleen, Donna and Taryn from the Corporation for National and Community Service New York State Office and local residents Bob and Kathleen. Groups came from the CEO-Youth Build AmeriCorps, Charleton School, HOBY, King of Kings Lutheran Church from Liverpool NY, Lakeview Community Church from Rochester NY, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, St. Rose College, and WalMart. Additional volunteers included 5 who ran our Loaves and Fishes Café, serving lunches and snacks to the volunteers on both Saturday and Monday. Every volunteer was enthusiastic about their work and SALT is truly grateful for their service.
As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once stated, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’” The MLK Day of Service was designated by congress as a national day of service in 1994. It calls for Americans from all backgrounds, ages, and abilities to provide solutions to our most pressing national problems and give back to their communities.
In addition to service activities, SALT’s AmeriCorps VISTA members worked in conjunction with Schoharie County Emergency Management Office to distribute books and pamphlets related to disaster preparedness to students in grades K to 5 in schools located in Schoharie County. Most Schoharie County residents were either personally impacted by Hurricane Irene or Tropical Storm Lee, or know someone who was. In the aftermath of these 2011 disasters it is clear that while natural disasters are unavoidable, it is possible to prepare for them. Anticipation of the proper course of action to take in event of an emergency can not only help minimize inconvenience and property damage, but it can also save lives.
SALT reminds readers that they can sign up for NY-Alert, a web-based portal for disseminating information to audiences within a defined geographical area, by registering on the website at www.nyalert.gov or by calling them at 1-888-697-7972. A digital copy of the Emergency Information Handbook may be accessed by anyone at http://www.dhes.ny.gov/media.
With more than 100 homes still in need of help in the Schoharie Creek basin, SALT and affiliates continue to coordinate individual volunteers and service groups to assist in recovery efforts. Help is needed in various capacities and volunteers are asked to sign up on the volunteer webpage at saltrecovery.org, email volunteer@saltrecovery.org or call 518-702-5017.
SALT is a coordinating council that seeks to provide interfaith and inter-agency resources, advocacy, healing, and support as well as direct recovery assistance to those affected by flood and storm damage from the 2011 disaster. |
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Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
 I recently traveled with church leaders to areas in New York and New Jersey that were impacted by Hurricane Sandy. I assured all those affected by the storms that they are not alone. We, as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), stand with them and will stay until the work is done. Together, we can achieve things on a scale and scope that we could never do alone.
Despite the hardship and difficulties people are still experiencing, we have witnessed incredible resiliency. As we stood in a congregation, still without power, we held candles and sang. I saw in those who sang around me the reflection of Jesus, the Light of the world, the one through whom God is making a way to us.
As we visited, they shared a recognition that the long road of recovery will depend on our continued prayers and support.
 Thanks to your generosity in the weeks following this disaster, we have already responded in the Caribbean and in areas of the United States with food, water and shelter.
But your support is still needed.
Gifts to Hurricane Sandy will be used entirely - 100 percent - to provide relief to areas most impacted. Your gift now will help:
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Address basic needs of families and individuals
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Build and reconstruct homes, communities and congregations
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Coordinate volunteer efforts from people across the country
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Support case managers working directly with those who have lost everything
During this season of Advent, may your continued support be a light for all those rebuilding their lives in Hurricane Sandy's wake.
In God's grace,
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
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Send me patience, the fruit of your Spirit, Lord. I can do small things and over time see large things come to fruition. You have led us to this task; you will help us finish it. Amen
The above prayer is taken from a devotion in "Meeting God in the Ruins" titled "Things Take Time." In the midst of efforts to respond to the more recent Hurricane Sandy, let us not lose sight of the tremendous amount of work still being done to aid those affected by last year's Hurricane Irene. Schoharie Area Long Term, Inc. (SALT) - a coalition of groups providing recovery services throughout the Schoharie Creek Basin here in upstate New York - continues its mission to coordinate an effective response to the more than 2,000 families and businesses flooded by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. Significant progress has been made in the first year with 1/3 of homeowners at 90% or more of recovery. BUT that leaves 2/3 still to be helped.
SALT is grateful for all the support that has been provided through Lutheran Disaster Response and congregations in the Upstate New York Synod. National LDR has provided $75,000 toward recovery efforts and an additional $30,000 for support in 2013. Congregation and individual donations matched by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans have provided another $37,000, nearly all of which has been distributed for unmet needs - the costs of home repairs that are not covered by FEMA or insurance.
Together with agency partners, SALT continues to work with over 350 households. Recovery needs remain in the multi-millions. The average cost per household for rebuilding is $8,000 - $10,000. Continued support will serve to keep the recovery momentum going so that all families in these communities can return to their homes. LDR is committed to continued support. Volunteer labor and financial donations to support long term recovery/rebuilding efforts in upstate New York continue to be needed. Please keep the families, communities and those who continue to help with rebuilding in your prayers. More information on ways to help are available by contacting SALT ( http://www.saltrecovery.org/), or LDR in Upstate NY at ldrunyteam@gmail.com. |
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