U.S. Severe Spring Storms

The Situation:

Howard Greenblatt/FEMA Severe spring weather continues to cause widespread destruction across the United States. Deadly tornadoes have devastated areas in Missouri, Alabama, North Carolina, and many other states. In the most recent tornado outbreak, the city of Joplin, Missouri was devastated. Elsewhere, large portions of the country face a continued threat of unprecedented flooding throughout the early summer. As the change in seasons continues to bring warmer temperatures across the country, the threat for severe weather is likely to remain high.

ELCA Response:

Peace Lutheran Church in Joplin, Mo. after the tornado, photo by: Bishop Gerald Mansholt of the Central States Synod Access the ELCA Disaster Response Blog page.

The ELCA, through Lutheran Disaster Response, has issued several emergency grants this spring to affiliate organizations in the affected areas. A $25,000 grant has been issued to Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri for response to the Joplin tornadoes. This follows a previous $25,000 grant that was issued to that same agency for flooding and tornadoes in the eastern part of the state earlier this spring.

Additionally, grants of $25,000 grant have been issued to Lutheran Ministries of Alabama, Lutheran Services in Tennessee, and Lutheran Services of Georgia for the tornadoes of April 27. These grants are all supporting long-term recovery projects in the impacted areas. Lutheran Ministries of Alabama is taking part in an exciting partnership with Mennonite Disaster Service and the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) in a rapid rebuilding project there. They also plan to support volunteer coordination as the response unfolds.

What you can do:

Pray:

Download prayers, litanies, prayer petitions, and suggested hymns and songs

for use in worship with your congregation as a way of remembering those affected by these and other natural disasters.

Give:

Gifts to ELCA Disaster Response "U.S. Severe Storms" help to provide the type of immediate and long-lasting support that is already underway in these affected regions. Give today to support the needs in this response and others like it. Thank you for your prayerful consideration.

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