Disaster Response
Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me. Matthew 25:34-36
As children of God and followers of Jesus, we are called to care for our neighbors in their time of need. If you are looking for an opportunity to help respond to a local or national disaster, consider making a donation to the ELCA Lutheran Disaster Relief Fund or the Virginia Synod Disaster Relief Fund.
If you are looking for a resource to prepare your congregation for a disaster before a disaster strikes, download the Congregational Disaster Preparedness Guide from Lutheran Disaster Response.
Virginia Synod Disaster Response
The Virginia Synod Disaster Response Fund is a designated fund created to provide support for disaster relief through the Virginia Synod, ELCA.
The Virginia Disaster Response Fund allows the people of the Virginia Synod to respond locally to disasters by making gifts which will provide grants and support to congregations and affiliated organizations undertaking disaster response. The Virginia Synod Disaster Response Fund is a local supplement to the work of Lutheran Disaster Response.
Click below to go to to the Virginia Synod donation page.
God’s Work, Our Hands: Opportunities to Serve
As soon as opportunities for service or needed supplies are identified by the people in need, we will make those needs known to the Synod. If you are aware of a need, please feel free to contact Pastor John Wertz, Jr.
Providing Help that is Helpful – While the urge to do something for our neighbors can be strong, please remember that above all, we want to provide help that is actually helpful, not help that is harmful. Please do not start collecting items like bottled water or cleaning supplies, until the people affected by the storm identify their needs and there is a contact available to receive the supplies. In addition, please do not send used clothing into a disaster area unless those items are requested by a national organization like Lutheran Disaster Response. Until basic services are restored and clean up is completed, used clothing cannot be stored or distributed properly and often end up being thrown away.
East-West Congregation Partnership
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- Our synod has created an East-West Partnership program – pairing congregations on the Eastern and Western sides of our commonwealth for potential support in the event of a disaster requiring evacuation to provide emergency housing and other forms of assistance. The listing below will give you specific partnerships and contact information. Consider reaching out to your partner congregation now to build a relationship so you’ll be ready when storms have been forecasted. While the partnership was created to help respond to disasters, this partnership is a wonderful opportunity to connect with another congregation to share prayer, presence, and resources.
Email Pastor John Wertz, Jr at: wertz@vasynod.org or Lenae Osmondson at: osmondson@vasynod.org for more information
The Rev. John Wertz Jr.
Director of Evangelical Mission (DEM)/Assistant to The Bishop
1301 Colley Ave.
Norfolk VA 23517-0010
757-622-9421
wertz@vasynod.org