Brothers---

The churches in need of assistance in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Panhandle of Georgia were divided up among the different Districts. Some smaller Districts share the responsibility of hosting one congregation. Others took more. We were first assigned two. We asked for more, and we were given three more. They are as follows:

Trinity, Baton Rouge - Pastors: Scott Schmeding, John Mitchell, and David Buss
Calvary, Baton Rouge  - Pastor: Gary Peterson
Trinity (Algiers), New Orleans  - Pastor: Tracy Nelson
Gloria Dei, New Orleans  - Pastor: Mark Buetow  (Web Site)
Monte de los Olivos, Metairie - Pastor: Jesus Gonzales

We are to make personal, face to face, contact with each of the pastors to do a needs assessment and develop a plan to help them as needed and as much as we can. I have asked Pastor Richard Turner to make contact with these pastors to determine their needs and those of the members of their congregations. He was given this task today (Friday), and if possible, he is to report back to me noon Tuesday so that we can share this information with the Circuit Counselors at their Retreat this next week.  I selected Richard because of his experience in dealing with crisis situations. He is a police chaplain and a chaplain with the FBI. He went to New York with the FBI after the 9/11 attack; he is scheduled to go into New Orleans with an FBI team in the near future. He knows how to function in this kind of environment.

1)       Make personal contact with the assigned churches to determine their needs and continue to have a person appointed to update the list of needs and requirements. This may mean placing a person or persons in the area so that as the needs change, this information is forwarded back to the District. He may be required to act as a coordinator of different disposition of resources that are sent into the area. The main thing to remember is that we have to remain flexible. The situation is fluid. It is always subject to change. Such persons will need to be self contained and self sufficient regarding water, food, housing, and transportation. Housing may be a bed roll. (Richard is doing phase one of this.)

2)       Send workers as determined by the need assessment and requested by the District. Many church workers' homes and churches have been damaged. These people and families need assistance in cleanup, removing debris, and eventually repairing and/or rebuilding severely damaged homes and churches. Some churches are providing shelter and material aid to people in their community. Again, people who are asked to go in to help with these kinds of needs must be self contained and self sufficient.

3)       Assist congregations to help their workers with financial and personal needs. This means identifying and locating all of the workers.  The Concordia Plans Services is waiving all premium, co-pays, deductibles, etc, for employees covered under its benefit plans. LCEF will be providing consolidation loans for rostered workers and Laborers for Christ Teams to assist congregations in damage assessment and repair; Church Workers have been declared eligible to receive unemployment benefits. These benefits are available, but Districts need to help the congregations to locate their workers so that they can be given this information.

4)       Districts are encouraged to bring fiscal resources to bear for immediate needs. Send money, not things, at this time. The Southern District has no places to store "things," but they have an immediate need for money. It is best to send designated funds through the Texas District.

5)       Districts are to assure that there is an equitable distribution of assets so that one congregation does not receive a great deal more money and resources then some of the neighboring congregations, so long as this can be done with out any kind of socialistic approach.

6)       Districts are to encourage their congregations to pray for the specific needs of the people in their hosted congregations. To aid you in this, we will continually make you aware of the specific needs so that you can share them with members in your congregation. You do not need to wait to pray. I am sure that you are praying now for these dear brothers and sisters whose lives will never be the same. Think about them when you enter your home after work or a trip. Many do not have a home to come to. How blessed we are to be able to bring the love of Christ to a hurting people. You are an instrument of His grace.

I know that you are eager to help, but I would encourage you to wait until we have a clear understanding of the needs of these congregations before you approach them or send volunteers over to help. At this point, you may find that you are in the way and become a liability rather than an asset. Though we want to give assistance, it should be timely and well thought out. These needs are going to be long-term. After Richard has informed us of the particular needs we will develop a plan to meet them.  This will be communicated to you via  Minister to Minister and the this web site.

This assistance and support plan does not preclude you from helping any other agencies or in other places in the disaster area. This plan only pertains to the congregations we are hosting. If you want to make your resources available beyond these congregations, please call Matt Harrison at LCMS World Relief (314) 651-2232 or go to the Web Link page on this site.

My sincere thanks and appreciation for all that you have done for the Hurricane Katrina Survivors. You have unselfishly given of your time and resources to meet the needs of these people who, in some cases, have literally been dumped on your door step. You are a reflection of Christ Himself. Brothers and sisters take a deep breath because there is more to come. Peace and Joy in Christ----Jim