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Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) training events and resources are available for congregations and members of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) to serve their neighbors in times of need following a disaster.

While providing immediate support and long-term rebuilding assistance, disaster response also allows LCMS congregations and members to confess Christ to their community and the world.

• LERT volunteer site — The Lutheran Early Response Team program has a new website to connect LCMS Disaster Response volunteers at the local and national level.

• LERT training events — LCMS congregations may host Disaster Response training for individuals in their area to join a Lutheran Early Response Team. LERT is a network of volunteers trained to respond in times of disaster. Learn how to set up a training event.

• Youth in disaster response — Learn about youth involvement in Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) trainings and deployments.

• FEMA’s “When Disaster Strikes ... How to Donate or Volunteer Successfully” — We know your heart is moved by love and compassion for those hurting, but please first consider these seven best practices — including that “used clothing is rarely a useful item to collect for disaster response.” Learn more in an LCMS Disaster Response recommended resource from FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

• Flood relief buckets — The LCMS Disaster Response flood relief project engages LCMS congregations, districts and other groups in an outreach ministry to provide pre-assembled flood relief buckets to flood and hurricane survivors as part of a disaster preparedness plan.

• Survival kit project — LCMS Disaster Response’s ‘survival kit’ project engages LCMS congregations and LWML societies in an outreach ministry to provide each member with a ‘survival kit’ as part of a disaster preparedness plan.

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