The following is an update from Pastor John Wertz, Jr. on Disaster Response (Oct. 24, 2024).

I wanted to provide you with an update from our partners on the ground in North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee.

Last week, I met with Lutheran Disaster Response leaders from both the North Carolina and Southeastern Synods and they have asked us to redirect supplies to the Southeastern Synod for the work they are doing in Eastern Tennessee. People have been incredibly generous with supply donations for North Carolina, but the response has been so strong that they have the buckets, kits and blankets that they need at the moment.

Eastern Tennessee, on the other hand, hasn’t gotten nearly as much publicity and they could really use the supplies that we are collecting. With that in mind, the North Carolina Synod leaders have asked us to redirect what we are collecting to Eastern Tennessee. We are working with the folks at Redeemer, Bristol to store supplies and coordinating with the Southeastern Synod Disaster Response coordinator, Pastor Morgan Gordy, to get the supplies where they need to be. The situation on the ground changes quickly in disaster recovery and we always listen to the guidance of the local people when sending supplies, so hopefully that shift in where the supplies are going is ok with your congregations.

Since we don’t have an active response going in Virginia, congregations have asked me what the best way is to donate within the region. Both the North Carolina Synod and the Southeastern Synod have local disaster response funds. Here are the links to the local funds for both Synods if you are interested.

If you want to support the overall long-term recovery from the recent hurricanes, you can donate to Lutheran Disaster Response at: LDR Hurricane Response.

If have any questions please let me know.

Peace and hope,

Pastor John Wertz, Jr.

wertz@vasynod.org