August 2017
Harvey is one of the worst tropical systems to impact the United States in years, hitting the Gulf Coast with destructive winds and record-shattering rainfall.
With rainfall measurements registering over 49 inches, Harvey may end up being the costliest natural disaster in the United States, with unprecedented flooding.
In response to the massive destruction, the church and school families, as well as individual members, of the LCMS Northern Illinois District are coordinating equally proportional responses to provide mercy and compassion for those effected by the devastation.
Thoughts and prayers are going out to all who have been devastated by the flooding. Prayers go out for those affected as well as prayers that God’s love shine and be shared through all that serve Him in the areas of destruction.
Disaster response teams here in northern Illinois are currently working with congregations, schools, local authorities, LCMS Texas District Disaster Response Teams, FEMA and other organizations in the devastated areas to coordinate efforts and identify areas of greatest need.
And the volunteer crews! Our congregations as well as Lutheran Church Charities are deploying disaster response teams with supplies and equipment to help as needed. They will be helping with clean up, debris removal and damage repair. And their work will require a long term commitment.
There are also grass roots efforts being planned by our congregations and schools to directly let the Texas area churches and schools know that we are praying for them. Northern Illinois District schools are getting involved directly; planning collections of basic supplies or gift cards to help affected students get their classrooms back on their feet or even sending cards of care.
LCC K-9 Ministry teams in Texas, currently 5 Comfort Dogs, are deploying, bringing comfort to devastated individuals coping with this tragic event and the first responders who are helping them. The LCC K-9s and their handlers go out and serve others with Mercy, Compassion, Presence, and Proclamation of Jesus Christ.
There are multiple opportunities in the Northern Illinois District for congregations, schools, and individuals to help.
Pray. Prayers for those affected as well as prayers that God’s love shine and be shared through all that serve Him in the areas of destruction.
Heart for Houston Benefit Concert will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 5211 Carpenter Street, Downers Grove, Illinois, Friday, September 8 at 7 p.m. Join them for an evening of worship and prayer for our brothers and sisters in the Houston area. A free will-offering will be taken for the help and assistance efforts of Community of Hope Lutheran Church in Spring, Texas and Lutheran Church Charities, who are organizing and sending teams and supplies from here in Illinois.
Lutheran Church Charities has several opportunities. 100% of donations go directly to the cause. Visit them at www.lutheranchurchcharities.org
- Donations to individuals in need: Working through area churches, district office, and church workers, LCC will be distributing donations to individuals in need. Donations in the form of money and gift cards can be made through the Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief Fund.
- Care Cards: Lutheran Church Charities will personally deliver Care Cards cards unopened to churches in the disaster areas for their members and staff to personally hand out to families and individuals who are in need. Efforts to collect Care Cards may be coordinated at congregations and then forwarded to Lutheran Church Charities for distribution.
- Donations to Lutheran RV’ers – CarePartners in Disasters: Dr. Lou Jander is a fellow Disaster Response Director for the Texas District and fellow Ministry Colleague of Tim Hetzner. Dr. Jander and his wife Martha will be going to South Texas to do CarePartner Ministry following the arrival of Hurricane Harvey. They will be giving out resources, words of hope and comfort, prayers, encouragement, and assistance as survivors seek to deal with the aftermath of a major disaster.
- Support the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Travel Expenses: LCC K-9 Ministry teams in Texas will deploy as invited to the impacted areas, bringing comfort to devastated individuals coping with this tragic event and the first responders who are helping them
- Volunteer to help: You can register if you are LERT or CERT Credentialed
Thrivent Financial will match up to $500,000 in personal donations made online through Thrivent.com to specific disaster relief organizations responding to Hurricane Harvey. The dollar-for-dollar match is open to Thrivent members and will lead to a total combined impact of up to $1 million. For more details and to see the list of organizations included in the match, visit the Disaster Response page on Thrivent.com. Thrivent Choice® lets eligible members recommend where Thrivent distributes some of its charitable outreach funding. If you have Choice Dollars available to direct, please consider selecting enrolled organizations helping in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. Learn more.
District Congregational Disaster Support Teams (in process of updating):
Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, Illinois
Let us know
If your NID church or school family is coordinating a response to the Hurricane Harvey disaster, let us know so that others may have the opportunity to join you. Let God’s love, mercy and compassion shine through all you do.