Southeastern District Lutheran Church Missouri Synod
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Disaster Response and Recovery

SED Disaster Response and Recovery

To connect people with Jesus through acts of compassion and mercy at times of disaster.

 

The Southeastern District extends the compassion and mercy of Christ by preparing congregations, schools, and missions to serve their neighbors during times of disaster and to deploy teams of well-equipped volunteers to respond to immediate and long-term recovery needs when disaster strikes. We also work with LCMS Disaster Response in coordinating a national response in times of disaster.

As news of a disaster becomes known, updates and ways to respond will be listed here as well as communicated through Connect, the District’s weekly newsletter. If you wish to have your name and contact information added to a network of individuals to aid in disaster cleanup and rebuilding, please reach out to Deaconess Sally Hiller, the SED’s District Disaster Response Coordinator at disasterhelp@se.lcms.org

To receive the SED weekly newsletter click here!

 

Deaconess Sally Hiller

SED Disaster Response Coordinator

Disaster Response Resources

http://se.lcms.org/resources/disaster-response-and-recovery/

Resources to assist the local congregation and her members in Disaster Preparedness and Response.

https://www.lcms.org/how-we-serve/mercy/disaster-response

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s Disaster Response ministry responds to immediate and long-term needs following natural and man-made disasters.

Lutheran Servants for Christ (LSC)

Lutheran Servants for Christ is a disaster response ministry that exists to share Jesus’ love to those affected by natural disasters. The ministry includes but is not limited to damaged tree removal, mucking out of homes, home repairs, and the giving of encouragement. All labor and materials are provided at no charge. This Recognized Service Organization of the LCMS grew out of the SED’s need to be able to quickly respond in times of crisis. Today, LSF has a tractor to assist with debris removal, a 10-bed mobile bunk unit, and a mobile food kitchen. Rev. Wayne Puls, Hope, Wake Forest NC is the chairman.

Links: https://lutheranservantsforchrist.org/

Follow on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lutheranservantsforchrist/

https://www.lcms-lert.org/

The place to sign up to serve as a volunteer and to locate places where volunteer service is needed. LCMS Districts post training opportunities as well as serving opportunities on this website.

https://www.lutheranchurchcharities.org/k-9-comfort-dogs-about.html

Launched in August 2008, the Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry is a national human-care ministry embracing the unique, calming nature and skills of purebred Golden Retrievers. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs are a bridge for compassionate ministry, opening doors for conversation about faith and creating opportunities to share the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ.

https://www.ogt.org/disaster-relief/

Orphan Grain Train provides disaster relief throughout the United States and around the world. Working with the people of the communities affected by various natural disasters, OGT has been able to provide needed aid and help long after the initial devastation. Orphan Grain Train helps families devastated by storms, floods, wildfires and hurricanes. When desperation is felt, OGT offers gifts of hope.

The Warehouse in the Southeastern District is the Maryland Branch, located in Millersville MD.

https://www.facebook.com/ShepherdsHeartMinistry/

Shepherd’s Heart Ministry exists to share the love of Christ after natural disasters by offering free tree and debris removal, especially to uninsured, underinsured, and low-income families.

Like many other disaster response agencies, Hurricane Katrina was the catalyst for our genesis. Seeing the catastrophic impact on thousands of people, the members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Gardendale, Alabama wondered, “What can we do?” Remembering the words of Scripture in James 2: 15,16, “Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?” In January of 2006 the members voted to call Pastor Ed Brashier as deployed missionary to the Gulf Coast.

https://www.mercydisasterresources.org

Provides disaster training, planning, and management services to churches. We are a resource to pastors, congregations, and Districts of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

https://www.ready.gov/kids

Disasters happen everywhere, and every member of the family can prepare. Preparedness for the future starts today. Whether you’re a kid or teen, a parent or loved one, or work with youth, Ready Kids has tools and information to help before, during and after disasters.

https://www.ready.gov/cert

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. CERT offers a consistent, nationwide approach to volunteer training and organization that professional responders can rely on during disaster situations, allowing them to focus on more complex tasks.

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/make-a-plan.html

Excellent resources and templates for building a response plan for families and community.

https://www.crisiscleanup.org

Crisis Cleanup is a collaborative disaster work order management platform that improves coordination, reduces duplication of efforts, improves efficiency, and improves volunteers’ experience.

Crisis Cleanup works best when a large number of organizations with many volunteers help a lot of survivors in a large area, all at the same time.

https://fullercenter.org/

The Fuller Center for Housing, faith-driven and Christ-centered, promotes collaborative and innovative partnerships with individuals and organizations in an unrelenting quest to provide adequate shelter for all people in need worldwide.

Districts throughout the LCMS partner in sharing resources and assistance in times of Disaster.

Florida-Georgia District https://flgadistrict.org/lert/

Mid-South District. https://mid-southlcms.org/human-care-disaster/

Southern District https://www.southernlcms.org/hurricane-preparedness/

Texas District https://txlcms.org/congregations/disaster-relief/

NVOAD - Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster

  • https://www.nvoad.org/
  • National VOAD promotes cooperation, communication, coordination and collaboration, and fosters more effective delivery of services to communities affected by disaster.

https://www.devoad.org/

Delaware Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster is an affiliate of National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD). National VOAD, an association of organizations that mitigate and alleviate the impact of disasters, provides a forum promoting cooperation, communication, coordination and collaboration; and fosters more effective delivery of services to communities affected by disaster.

https://www.marylandvoad.org/

Maryland Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) is an umbrella organization made up of diverse disaster response agencies that includes faith-based organizations, non-governmental organizations (NG0), local non-profit agencies and government partners (state, county, municipal). Many of our faith-based and NGO members also represent their national organizations while serving with us. When you put together all of our participating agencies, we are the largest disaster response organization in the State of Maryland. We create the framework for these agencies to coordinate, cooperate and collaborate–fostering effective response and recovery for the people of Maryland during times of disaster. We are a voice for the voiceless, the poor and those at the margins.  We provide a safety net for all Marylanders during and after disasters.

https://www.virginiavoad.org/

Virginia VOAD helps to lead response efforts, communicate urgent needs to the wider National VOAD network, and provide assistance to communities affected by disaster. By adhering to the 4 Cs (Communication, Cooperation, Coordination, and Collaboration), VA VOAD effectively provides relief.

https://www.ncvoad.org/

The membership of North Carolina VOAD consists of both locally based organizations and local representatives of National organizations. Our mission is to strengthen the capabilities of organizations working together in our state to respond to communities affected by disaster. North Carolina VOAD member organizations cover a broad range of missions and technical expertise, and adhere to the 4 Cs: Cooperation, Communication, Coordination, and Collaboration.

https://www.southcarolinavoad.org/

The membership of South Carolina VOAD consists of both locally based organizations and local representatives of National organizations. Our mission is to strengthen the capabilities of organizations working together in our State to respond to communities affected by disaster. South Carolina VOAD member organizations cover a broad range of missions and technical expertise, and adhere to the 4 Cs: Cooperation, Communication, Coordination, and Collaboration.

https://www.pavoad.org/

Pennsylvania Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster is an affiliate of National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD). National VOAD, an association of organizations that mitigate and alleviate the impact of disasters, provides a forum promoting cooperation, communication, coordination and collaboration; and fosters more effective delivery of services to communities affected by disaster.

https://www.dcvoad.org/

District of Columbia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster is an affiliate of National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD). National VOAD, an association of organizations that mitigate and alleviate the impact of disasters, provides a forum promoting cooperation, communication, coordination and collaboration; and fosters more effective delivery of services to communities affected by disaster.

Each State has a website!

Each State has a website with resources and helps for knowing how to prepare and how to respond in a time of disaster.