MONTANA SYNOD ELCA
  • Home
  • Faith Formation
    • Faith Formation
    • Lay Pastoral Associates
    • NRIT >
      • Jessica Crist Scholarship Fund
  • Montana Synod Information
    • Montana Synod Information
    • About
    • Staff
    • Directories
    • Changing Climate Taskforce
    • Stewardship and Mission Support
    • Synod Council
    • Gift Policy
    • Clusters
    • Staff Blogs >
      • Laurie Jungling - From the Bishop Blog
    • Ecuminical & Interfaith Partners
    • Partner Ministries >
      • WELCA News
    • ELCA >
      • ELCA Statements
  • 2023 Assembly
  • Congregations
    • Congregations
    • Future Church
    • Transitions
    • For Congregations
    • Disaster Response Resources
    • Constitution
    • Sexual Misconduct Policies
  • Leaders
    • Leaders
    • Coaching in the Montana Synod
    • For Rostered Leaders
  • News & Events
    • News & Events
    • 2022 News Archive
    • 50-40-10 Women's Ordination Anniversaries
    • Events Calendar
    • Archive >
      • 2021 News Archive
      • From the Bishop Blog - Jessica Crist
      • Synod Assembly Archive
      • Quincentenary
      • South Africa 2015
      • Bolivia Recap Blog
    • Multimedia
  • Contact Us

We're still there

2/7/2018

1 Comment

 
​Lutherans are well known for their commitment to disaster response and relief. It is said that film crews go into disaster areas with the Lutherans, so that they can record the Red Cross's arrival. And long after the news cycle has moved on to something else, long after some other agencies have left, the Lutherans remain. Lutheran Disaster Response, Lutheran World Relief, Lutheran World Federation, Church World Service are the hard-working agencies that our church supports.
 
We are moved when we read heart-wrenching stories of disasters—children buried in rubble, nursing home patients without electricity, homes destroyed by fire, communities cut off from food and water. Our human impulse is to want to help. Contributions to our church-based agencies are absolutely crucial, and the funds go right to where they are needed most, not to overhead or administration. Disasters can come upon us suddenly, but it takes years, sometimes decades to recover. There are not quick fixes. Relief is the immediate concern, then recovery. And over the long haul, sustainability becomes the issue.
 
In the fall of 2017, hurricanes were particularly brutal. Puerto Rico was devastated by Hurricane Maria. Months later there are still people without electricity, still people who struggle with food, water, housing and employment. Puerto Rico is part of the United States. And Lutherans in Puerto Rico are part of the ELCA. 
 
Last week, David Trost, the CEO of St. John’s Lutheran Ministries in Billings, and Pastor Peggy Paugh Leuzinger, Director for Evangelical Mission for the Montana Synod, travelled to Puerto Rico to meet with people affected by the hurricane, to better understand ways that we in Montana can effectively accompany the people of Puerto Rico as they seek to recover from disaster. Look for reports from them in the coming weeks.
 
People from Montana and Wyoming are generous. We give generously to those who have been affected by disasters. Last summer, when fires raged across Montana, Lutherans from other synods sent assistance, along with prayers. Dick Deschamps, our volunteer Disaster Coordinator, worked with community needs throughout the season. Now there are other needs in other places. We have reached out to our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico, in love and in hope.
 
Jessica Crist, Bishop
1 Comment
turner graybill
2/10/2018 12:52:32 am

Good Night MOON!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Bishop Jessica Crist

    Bishop of the Montana Synod of the ELCA
    2007-2019

    Archives

    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014

    Categories

    All

1221 24th Street South - Great Falls, MT 59405-5034  [Phone] 406.453.1461 
© 2022 Montana Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
  • Home
  • Faith Formation
    • Faith Formation
    • Lay Pastoral Associates
    • NRIT >
      • Jessica Crist Scholarship Fund
  • Montana Synod Information
    • Montana Synod Information
    • About
    • Staff
    • Directories
    • Changing Climate Taskforce
    • Stewardship and Mission Support
    • Synod Council
    • Gift Policy
    • Clusters
    • Staff Blogs >
      • Laurie Jungling - From the Bishop Blog
    • Ecuminical & Interfaith Partners
    • Partner Ministries >
      • WELCA News
    • ELCA >
      • ELCA Statements
  • 2023 Assembly
  • Congregations
    • Congregations
    • Future Church
    • Transitions
    • For Congregations
    • Disaster Response Resources
    • Constitution
    • Sexual Misconduct Policies
  • Leaders
    • Leaders
    • Coaching in the Montana Synod
    • For Rostered Leaders
  • News & Events
    • News & Events
    • 2022 News Archive
    • 50-40-10 Women's Ordination Anniversaries
    • Events Calendar
    • Archive >
      • 2021 News Archive
      • From the Bishop Blog - Jessica Crist
      • Synod Assembly Archive
      • Quincentenary
      • South Africa 2015
      • Bolivia Recap Blog
    • Multimedia
  • Contact Us