A Grateful Church Thanks Synod for Relief Efforts

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

 

 The last week in August, my family and my congregation members anxiously watched TV weather forecasters tracking hurricane Katrina as she gained strength in the Gulf of Mexico. I live in the southeast corner of Alabama. Hurricanes are common here. Nevertheless, when Katrina headed west, we breathed a sigh of relief, only to learn that she slammed New Orleans and Mississippi.

Initial reports sounded encouraging: Damage, although great, was manageable. That changed Monday night when the levees broke. Our nation was facing the worst natural disaster in its history, a tragedy second only to 9/11.

It is now months since that terrible week. New Orleans and the entire Gulf Coast are still reeling. Our LCMS Southern District is still in recovery mode. The number of churches, professional workers and parishioners affected is tremendous.  So also is our Synod’s response!

LCMS World Relief/Human Care Ministry immediately stepped in to help. The Concordia Health Plan (formerly Worker Benefit Plans) and Lutheran Church Extension Fund were close behind. We have seen the LCMS spirit of family at its best.

This spirit continues to grow! Each of the thirty-four other LCMS Districts has adopted one or more Southern District congregations. A large group of people will have direct contact with sisters and brothers in need. This is how our Synod is supposed to work as we walk together.

It is my hope that this family spirit can permeate all of Synod in the future. God has called us to be salt and light, a difficult enough task, made more difficult when we spend our time pointing fingers at each other.

A huge thank you to the people of our Synod for all the care and concern showered upon our Southern District.

Blessings,

Stewart Marshall, Pastor

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Ozark, Alabama.