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Disaster Responses--Hurricane Recovery

Nebraska Lutheran groups, individuals
continue to volunteer for hurricane recovery

Hundreds of Nebraska Synod Lutherans are helping - did help, continue to help the people affected by the 2005 hurricanes. Nebraska Synod Lutherans have joined with Lutheran Disaster Response, the American Red Cross, Camp Noah, and other assistance organizations in responding to the hurricane and flooding impact in the United States from 2005. This synod photo album shares photographs from a wide variety of servant trips to help and efforts made by those who stayed home but sent caring gifts.

November 2006
Augustana/Omaha, Fall Mission Trip to Slidell, Violet, and New Orleans, Louisiana.

Our Saviour's/Lincoln, drywall trip to Gethsemance Lutheran Church, Chalmette, La

St. Thomas and St. Paul's, both of Omaha – Nov. 11 Habitat trip to Gulf Coast

August
Sheridan/Lincoln Recovery work team heads to Gulf Coast in August 2006

May
Augustana/Omaha, Spring Mission Trip to Slidell, Violet, and New Orleans, Louisiana. View article about this mission trip.

March
college students - Dana College and Midland Lutheran College, University of Nebraska-Lincoln and University of Nebraska-Kearney, worked in the hurricane-affected areas this March. "What a Relief! LDR Spring Break".

Alma/Mead recover work team heads to Alabama.

January
Midland Lutheran College, Interterm Ministry Trip, organizer Pr. Chip Borgstadt. About 25 Midland Lutheran College and Dana College students and faculty went to the Gulf Coast as part of a hurricane response mission trip. See pictures/read journal entries!

Wartburg Theological Seminary, Interterm Ministry Trip, Hurricane Relief Project in Biloxi, MS. Working with Lutheran Episcopalian Disaster Response (LEDR) volunteers and several local church participants to go to help with Hurricane Katrina cleanup/rebuilding. Nebraska seminarians involved included Bryant Kaden/Fremont and Tim Koester/Deshler. Activities included working in a Distribution Center, free clinic, and installing drywall, painting and roofing.

Ongoing organized efforts from Nebraska Synod:

Grace/Cook, "adopting" Bethel Lutheran Church in Biloxi, Mississippi and working with and praying for Holy Trinity Church in Daphne, Alabama, organizers,

St. Paul's/Omaha, ongoing support for pastor and congregation, organizer Pr. Lou Forney

First/Blair, planning mission trip

Let us know about your congregation's mission trips to assist ... email

Hurricane evacuees coordinator
Karen Andresen now serves as the Disaster Coordinator for the hurricane evacuees in the state of Nebraska for Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska. Karen will partner with other non-profit agencies and work with congregations to provide for the evacuees'

unmet needs. Her goal is to work with these families across the state to rebuild their lives, whether they plan to make Nebraska their new home or return to the Gulf area in the near future. Anyone interested in volunteering their time or providing assistance can contact Karen at 402-660-0049 or

Camp Noah - VBS for Disaster Survivors
5 Nebraska congregations partnered with Camp Noah 2006: St. Pauls/Omaha; Sheridan/Lincoln; Our Savior's/Lincoln, and Bethel/ Holdrege and Trinity/Hildreth.

The St. Pauls-Holy Cross Camp Noah team See story

An ecumenical team from Nebraska spearheaded by Bethel-Holdrege, and Trinity-Hildreth. See blog

Sheridan Camp Noah team went to Mobile, Alabama on July 16-21, 2006

Our Saviour's Camp Noah team partnered with Gethsemane Lutheran in Chalmette, Louisiana See Pastor Hennigs blog

Hurricane Volunteering 101

ELCA Domestic Disaster Response

Gulf Coast Synod Recovery Website
(Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast)

Southeastern Synod
(Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee)

Orphan Grain Train (part of Neb. Lutheran Disaster Response Team)

Prayers are requested.

Resources: Hurricane season; "Prayers, Reflections and Worship Resources in Times of Disaster" and Augsburg Fortress prayer.

The Lutheran magazine offers resources

Bishop deFreese Message 9-6-2005

Bishop deFreese Message 9-1-2005

Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson message 9-2-2005

Davey and Goliath' make a public service announcement
March 29, 2006
by Melissa Ramirez Cooper, ELCA News Service

Davey Hansen and his talking dog, Goliath, have teamed up with Lutheran Disaster Response to send children an important message about disaster.  In a special public service announcement produced by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and Lutheran Disaster Response, Davey reassures Goliath that, no matter what happens, God is present through people who help after a disaster.  Two important ways children can participate in times of disaster is to pray for all people and learn how to help make their homes safe.

"Davey and Goliath" is a classic stop-motion animated television program for children that aired in the 1960s and 1970s. It is a property of the ELCA.  Lutheran Disaster Response is a ministry of the ELCA and Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.  The Davey and Goliath "Working Together" public service announcement is available in broadcast quality for radio, television and cable outlets via TV Access.
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