At Homework
The Southeastern District is not exempt from the natural disasters of hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, or ice storms. No one is exempt from a possible fire-related disaster. Yet many of our congregations do not have a disaster preparedness plan in place. What will you do if the church is flooded and your records are destroyed? How will you reach your congregational members after a severe weather event has created chaos in your community? How will you communicate in your community that you are ready to serve in compassion as hands and feet of Christ in this time of need?

Take time to review your plans or to develop plans. Choose one or two steps as a beginning. Develop a communications system so that you can reach your members. At the least, know where those who would have special needs are. Think through the materials, records, bookkeeping items that would cause a stand still in operations if they washed away in a flood. What back up systems are in place? Share your plans with congregational leadership so that others will know and will be able to step in and assist.

It is always our prayer that we will not have to face situations such as this, and if you are prepared - you will be able to carry on with caring for the members of the congregation and community and also with continuing the everyday business of the church.

Key Information websites:

Southeastern District Disaster Updates: www.se.lcms.org
LCMS World Relief and Human Care
Lutheran Disaster Response

The Orphan Grain Train has developed Project Scrub Bucket. These filled scrub buckets are in response to the recent flooding across the midwest and will now be used in the Hurricane impacted areas. This is a great Fall project for your Christian Education program. There are two ways to participate in this effort. The first is to prepare a display, showing what goes in the scrub bucket and inviting donations of items to fill buckets. These completed kits are then shipped to Nebraska, the Orphan Grain Train headquarters. (There is also an additional cost for shipping them.)

The second way that you can assist, is to display a completed scrub bucket and let people know that it costs $36 to fill the bucket. Invite everyone to find a way to raise the funds to contribute one scrub bucket for Disaster Relief. Funds are then sent to Orphan Grain Train and earmarked: Project Scrub Bucket.

Each scrub bucket holds $36 worth of cleaning supplies (including broom and mop) and cash donations of all sizes are requested to help fill the buckets. Each scrub bucket will include:

*Comet or other cleansing powder
* Top Job or other liquid cleaner
* Bleach (1-gal. size)
* Windex or other glass cleaner
* Scrub brush
* Rubber gloves
* Sponge(s)
* Roll of paper towels
* Broom and/or mop

Project Scrub Bucket was begun by Orphan Grain Train’s Indiana Division in response to the needs of homeowners returning after Hurricane Katrina. Thousands of buckets were distributed throughout the hurricane-affected areas in 2006. The Indiana Division distributed several hundred more in

Donations may be made through the secure online giving page here, by check payable to “Orphan Grain Train Flood and Storm Relief” PO Box 1466, Norfolk, NE 68702-1466.

Volunteer: Camp Biloxi is back up and running. Camp Restore should be up by the weekend. Those wishing to volunteer should call 888-248-2636 and leave your contact information.

Assessment has shown Baton Rouge to be the hardest hit area. 95 percent are without power. Chain saw
teams are the greatest need at this time.

Pastoral Counseling is also needed. If you are an experienced pastoral counselor and are interested in volunteering, please call the following number:

To volunteer to help LCMS members and Gulf Coast residents, call 1-888-248-2636 or email info@raiministries.org.

Dear Friends:

Gustav has left his mark. President Kieschnick said in an email that was sent shortly after the Gustav landed “
For the past few days and especially today, many Americans have been following the development of Hurricane Gustav, which made landfall this morning, affecting many of the same communities impacted by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. This is particularly disturbing and worrisome to those whose lives were altered by Katrina, since Gustav arrived only three days after the 3rd anniversary of Katrina. All our brothers and sisters in Christ, especially those in the Southern, Texas, and Florida-Georgia Districts of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, as well as all citizens in the greater Gulf Coast and East Texas area whose lives will most directly be affected, whose property will be damaged, and whose possessions will be destroyed, remain in our prayers.

The people, pastors, congregations, organizations, institutions, and districts of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod are to be commended for the faithful love, care, and concern demonstrated for the many people who will once again be displaced by a most unwelcome intruder from the Gulf. May our gracious God cast His mantle of protection upon all those in the path of Gustav; may He bless the hospitality extended to the many evacuees who are arriving in states across our land, in need of safety, security, shelter, food, clothing, and spiritual care; may He keep all affected by this powerful storm safe and secure in His grace, mercy, and peace; and may His love for us in Jesus Christ motivate our generous response to the needs of His people.”

We have heard from LCMS Human Care and they are on site providing assistance in those areas where need is greatest. They share this update with us:
Please find attached an update from the Gulf Coast following Hurricane Gustav (editors note: no attachment was included in the information I was given). Yesterday, our team traveled to Baton Rouge to meet with Pastor Schmieding at Trinity Lutheran Church. Baton Rouge has been hard hit by high winds and heavy rainfall. Approximately 400 homes have severe damage with large trees falling through them. Another 2000 homes are reported to have moderate storm damage. Over 90% of Baton Rouge is without power and some power may not be restored for 2-3 weeks. There is moderate to severe flooding report across Louisiana. Today, our team will travel to Houma and on toward the towns nearer the Gulf Coast before returning to New Orleans. Tonight we will meet with District President Schultz.

Yesterday we delivered bags of ice to Trinity where they hosted a free ice give away. Within an hour all the ice was gone with a steady stream of cars waiting in line. We ordered 44,000 pounds of ice to be delivered today as the congregation continues this ministry. Today, with the help of RAI staff, we are delivering a trailer filled with assorted items to be used by volunteers or given to those in need.

Thank you for your support and prayers on behalf of the thousands of people in need on the Gulf Coast.

Your assistance is needed. If you wish to make a financial contribution, please contact the LCMS World Relief – Human Care website at http://www.lcms.org/pages/default.asp?NavID=891

The Southeastern District is also preparing for the possibility of the next three named storms to find their way through our area. During Thursday, congregations and schools in Circuits 1, 12, 13E, and 18 should be receiving a phone call from a member of the Disaster Response Task Force. They will be seeking emergency contact information so that following Hurricane Hanna, we can assess damage and need. We look to assist and resource congregations and schools in their outreach to both members and people within the community.

We are blessed to be able to work in partnership with both LDR (Lutheran Disaster Response) and LCMS World Relief – Human Care. They offer incredible resources and support for congregations involved in disaster response, relief, and recovery.

I encourage to review your congregational disaster response plan. Two steps you will want to take in preparation for a disaster event is to gather a current phone list of all members.
You will want to make special note of members who needed additional assistance because of medical need or age. Identify a contact system so that you are able to be in touch following an event.
1. Make certain that your important records are in a safe place and that you have made a back up of your computer files.
2.
As I mentioned, if you are in Circuit 1, 12, 13E, and 18 your congregation or school will be hearing from someone during this day regarding the District Disaster procedures. We will work to keep you posted through the website and email.

Liz DeMik and I will monitor these events, if you need to be in touch with us our contact info is:

Liz DeMik: disasterhelp@se.lcms.org cell phone: 703.899.7244
Sally Hiller: sjhiller@se.lcms.org cell phone: 301.467.0690

As always, we pray to God for his mercy and compassion to be poured out upon all of his children. And we pray that Jesus who is the master of the winds and waves, will calm them.

Sally J Hiller
Mission and Ministry Executive, Southeastern District, LCMS
6315 Grovedale Drive Alexandria VA 22310-2501

voice: 703.971.9371, Ext. 205 or 800.637.5723, fax 703.922.6047, web www.se.lcms.org

Fay, Gustav, monster twisters…each day the news is filled with the weather events that storm about us. I am not certain if you were aware of this, but September is Emergency Preparedness Month. The link on the the right will take you to a number of information pieces to help you prepare your home and congregation. Perhaps you think that taking time to get ready can wait for another day or until the storm is hours away. The Southeastern District Disaster Response Team would like to challenge you to think about how being prepared for a disaster will help you serve others in a time of disaster, help you to be the hands and feet of Christ in your community.

I invite you to go to the website and to review and share these resources with your congregation. I also urge you to develop a response plan. The SED Disaster Response Team is ready to help you. Contact disasterhelp@se.lcms.org for people assistance!

For those of you reading this who prepare bulletins and newsletters, we have included a series of weekly notes that can be used.

Finally, earlier this summer, I invited you to consider a helping response to our brothers and sisters in Iowa District East who were so devastated by the earlier storms. Last week, I had the opportunity to speak with President Gary Arp. He shared that while preliminary work has been done, they are still assessing needs. Some of you may recall Pastor Matt Versemann who served at Trinity, Tryon NC. The church building where he serves and the homes of 51 families experienced tremendous flooding. He wrote this note:

August 2008

TO ALL OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN OUR BELOVED SYNOD,

Greetings in the name of Jesus, who walks on water, stills our storms and uses water to save us in Christ!

On June 10, 2008, the Cedar River in Waverly, Iowa rose to unprecedented levels. Our church, St John Lutheran, along with 51 members homes were victims of this flood. Some of the homes were completely destroyed.

The floodwater filled the basement of the church to a depth of 10 feet, and came within one inch of entering our sanctuary. The basement was a complete loss.

We lost our boiler systems; our youth rooms-recently refurbished with new furniture and youth items, our educational wing with seven classrooms and all supplies, our fellowship hall and kitchen - including 2 stoves, 2 refrigerators, a commercial dish washer, cabinets and many of our dishes.

It is estimated that it will cost approximately $200,000.00 to replace the boilers, all electrical (including rewiring the building) and various other expenses to make the basement usable again. We do NOT have any flood insurance and will NOT be receiving any grant monies from FEMA.

Prayerfully think of us as a mission field, as we are working to restore the Word and Sacrament Ministry at St John Lutheran Church. Waverly is a growing community with many un-churched and de-churched people. With your help we can continue to labor in His vineyard until He returns. We are asking you, our Brothers and Sisters in Christ, to keep us in your prayers and to prayerfully consider making a monetary gift to our congregation for flood recovery.

In Christ’s Service,
Rev. Matthew Versemann

President Arp shared that if congregations wished to provide financial assistance that they may send their check to Iowa District East at 1100 Blairs Ferry Rd, Marion IA 52302. Please mark your check for “flood/tornado relief”. (If it comes to disaster relief, it is forwarded to Katrina support) You may send directly to St. John at 415 4th St. SW, Waverly, Iowa 50677. If you are interested in helping a specific family, contact St. John Lutheran Church at (319) 352-2314.

As this is being prepared, I am listening to the news of New Orleans getting ready for Gustav. Let’s pray with one voice that God calm the winds of this storm, the city is prepared, and people respond appropriately. May God show his mercy and compassion to all of his children.

As always, I thank God for your generous hearts and response to these times of need. Please remember all who experience the loss and chaos that these storms leave … And remember …review your emergency preparedness plans. God’s blessings.

Sally Hiller and Liz DeMik

Chesapeake Community of Hope is a family of believers who are helping others find peace and purpose through Christ, community, and commission. Just recently this mission moved their offices to a former gas station. Here they are able to establish meeting and gathering space during the week. They are currently worshipping at Deep Creek Elementary School. You can learn more about this mission at http://www.ccohchurch.com/

Since April 2008, the beginning of fulltime ministry at Crossway, members of the launch team have been in the community a considerable amount of time. Downtown Norfolk is just a couple blocks away from the mission office. Rev. Tim Utton often goes and walks downtown, and is ready for the Lord to connect him with someone else for a Gospel-sharing conversation and a time of prayer. They have had 2 Bible giveaways and this resulted in distributing 80 bibles and many conversations. Currently they host two Bible studies during the week and worship once a month. In May, they hosted a successful Ultimate Frisbee outreach and were able to connect with 8 teenagers.
We give thanks to God for this downtown outreach in Norfolk VA and we thank God for the creative partnership whose generous support of AFGM is resourcing this mission. You can learn more about this mission at http://www.cwnorfolk.com/

Don’t forget to set your alarms for 10:02. Luke 10:2 reminds us that the harvest is plentiful, but workers few. Christ encourages us in the passage to pray for workers. At 10:02, stop and pray for the workers - those already at work and those who are being shaped to work in the harvest fields. Praise God for the 1404 prayer partners for mission. If you would like to receive regular mission updates and join in prayer for God’s work throughout the District, please contact sjhiller@se.lcms.org or check out the website at: www.se.lcms.org

Ron Bostick from Resurrection Lutheran in Cary will be leading a team to Camp Restore (www.camprestore.org) in New Orleans from October 25 through Nov 2. The team will be staying at a LCMS church and school which Labor’s for Christ has renovated. If you would like to volunteer for this team or need additional information, please contact Ron at (919) 362-9640 or at bostick@att.net

Ray Hecht from Grace Lutheran Durham will be leading a Thrivent Builds Habitat for Humanity crew to Biloxi, Mississippi October 6-11, 2008. This will be Ray’s third trip to Biloxi in the past year. If you would like to volunteer for this crew or need additional information, please contact Ray at (919) 644-1001 or at STEINHOFFARM@EMBARQMAIL.COM.