Update on Northern California wildfires
As of Oct. 19, the Synod’s California-Nevada-Hawaii (CNH) District reports the following regarding the impact of the wildfires on affected congregations:
- St. John Lutheran Church, Napa — Eight family homes lost, including homes of two preschool staff members;
- St. Mark Lutheran Church, Santa Rosa — 22 family homes lost, including home of one church staff member;
- St. Luke Lutheran Church, Santa Rosa — At least six family homes lost, including home of one church staff member;
- Faith Lutheran Church, Sonoma — One family lost their home and business;
- Vineyard of Faith Lutheran Church, Windsor — One member family lost their home; and
- Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Healdsburg — One member family lost their home.
LCMS Disaster Response visited northern California Oct. 16-18 to meet with officials of the CNH District as well as with parish pastors based in areas affected by the catastrophic wildfires.
Working in collaboration with the district, Disaster Response continues to walk alongside district disaster responders to help meet immediate needs in the stricken communities.
Bulletin insert, flier for Oct. 22
LCMS team returns from Puerto Rico
LCMS Disaster Response leaders visited the hurricane-ravaged island of Puerto Rico on Oct. 4-10. They focused their efforts on visiting the city of Mayaguez and its surrounding areas. Mayaguez, the third-largest city in this U.S. territory after San Juan and Ponce, is home to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, which is served by LCMS Missionary Rev. Matthew Ruesch.
LCMS World Relief and Human Care, through its Disaster Response arm, will support the congregational members of Prince of Peace and reach out to neighboring communities. The initial response will include the provision of food, water and diapers.
lcms.org/puerto-rico-relief
Lutherans making a difference after back-to-back hurricanes
As LCMS World Relief and Human Care and its LCMS Disaster Response answer the call for two hurricanes, it’s important that the kindness being expressed across the Synod continues in the aftermath of these catastrophes.
LCMS Disaster Response is committed to supporting affected districts and their church communities while also building on their capacity not only in responding to a congregation’s needs, but also in extending Christ’s mercy by providing body-and-soul care to entire communities.
As damage assessments come in from the Florida-Georgia District, and as we continue to support the Texas District, there is much to be done in the weeks, months — even years — ahead.
lcms.org/harvey lcms.org/irma
Missionary in Mexico sends report after earthquake
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod received the following update from Rev. Daniel Conrad, an LCMS Missionary in Mexico City:
We give thanks to God that our church members, missionaries and national pastors suffered no death or injuries due to the earthquake (on Sept. 19). Many people were not so fortunate. The death toll is over 300 with many more people injured. A large number of people have been displaced from their homes.
Individuals and congregations of the Lutheran Synod of Mexico have responded with donations to the relief centers that are located throughout Mexico City. Our director of Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones has made a trip to the hard-hit state of Morelos, directly south of Mexico City. A nurse from our parish in Rio Bravo has come to Mexico City to donate her expertise to the earthquake victims, and we are providing pastoral care to victims.
Rev. Dr. Ross Johnson of LCMS Disaster Response is meeting this week with Rev. Isaac Guadalupe Garcia Castillo, president of the Lutheran Synod of Mexico, and Rev. Ted Krey, LCMS Regional Director for Caribbean and Latin America, to begin to plan a coordinated response in Mexico.