Tag Archives: gulf coast synod

Hurricane Relief Grants

Posted by mllccarmine in Announcements, Synod and tagged with , , , ,

Hurricane Harvey

 

Our Gulf Coast Synod, ELCA, has posted information about how to apply for grants for Hurricane and Flood Relief.  Here is what they have to say about this:

Dear Gulf Coast Synod Leaders,

In the weeks since Hurricane Harvey, we have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from God’s people around the world.  Many gifts were shared with us on your behalf.  In an effort to assess needs to distribute these gifts, we invite you to participate in our disaster grant process.  Although the funds cannot replace all that you have lost, we pray that the grants disbursed will be of help in a significant way.

This link will direct you to the page on our website that was prepared for this unique purpose: gulfcoastsynod.org/congregations/disaster/grant

You can also find this page by clicking the yellow “Disaster Grant” link, on the Disaster Prep & Recovery page of the synod website (gulfcoastsynod.org).

 

Our timeline for distribution is:

Application deadline: December 31, 2017.

Notification of grant status: January 31, 2018.

 

We will take into consideration critical needs and respond appropriately to the requests identified in that manner.

Please note that the phrase “disaster recovery needs” includes damage done to the location of your special community outreach ministries, such as food pantry, book pantry/collection, and so forth, as well as the ability to continue these ministries following the disaster that may or may not have flooded your congregation’s facilities. We can discuss any questions you have about what can be represented in your request.

 

Amount of Your Request Range

We ask that you request a dollar range (e.g. $2K to $5K), rather than a specific dollar amount. This allows us some flexibility as we determine how best to stretch the dollars in the fund.

 

Designated Contact Person

Please clearly identify the person who will be accountable to corresponding with the synod about this grant request. We ask that the contact person provide an update to the synod 3-6 months following distribution, as to how the money was actually used.  Before-&-after photos of your project, along with a couple of sentences on how the grant supported your recovery efforts, will be used in synod communications about funding, recruiting volunteers, and especially to those who want to support this recovery effort with their prayers.

 

About Additional Documents

Please attach any documents that will assist in decision-making regarding this request. This may be a document you already have distributed to your church council or congregation outlining the status of the damage and the related repair/rebuild costs. If the document is accessible by link to your Web site, please indicate that by providing the link in your response to us.

 

Sample Documents

Thanks to Salem Evangelical, Houston, and St James/Santiago Apostόl for allowing their own status statements to be used as samples. These documents are an example of the questions we will ask about your current status.

 

Thank you for your commitment to fulfilling God’s call to the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod for holistic ministry in this region.

We look forward to hearing from you through this means and in continuing conversations about our service together in the Gulf Coast.

 

Blessings,

Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod Disaster Recovery Team

Hurricane Relief Day – September 9

Posted by mllccarmine in Announcements, Synod and tagged with , , , , , ,

Gulf Coast Synod Disaster Response

You can help this week.

Our Gulf Coast Synod has organized a Hurricane Harvey Work Day. It will be this Saturday, September 9. There are several crews being organized. One crew will be out of Lutherhill, which will help in Fayette County. Visit the Synod web page link below to find out more:  Click Link.

Please note that the sign up deadline to be part of one of these crews is Wednesday, September 6.

 

Our Hurricane Relief page is being updated frequently.  Check out that page to find more way to help.  Monetary donations are especially helpful at this time.

Click here for the link to our Hurricane Relief page.

Hurricane Relief: Help Now

Posted by mllccarmine in Announcements, ELCA, Synod and tagged with , , , , ,

Hurricane Harvey Relief

Photo of Relief Workers, as shown on the Lutheran Disaster Response Web Site.

For continued updates on Hurricane Relief, see this page:  Click Link

Together We Can Help

We will have an ongoing Hurricane Harvey Recovery Page on the church web site.

There are several ways to help right now with relief for those affected by Hurricane Harvey.  There are and will be many volunteer opportunities.  As you are able, please give of your time to help those in need.  Much of the focus has been on Houston, since there are millions who have faced damage, displacement, loss, or more.  There are also many in Fayette County who have faced similar struggles due to flooding of the Colorado River and other waterways.  Our town has had flooding, but not to the point of massive damage.  It looks like the flooding of May 2016 in Carmine was worse for our town than that brought by Hurricane Harvey.

Ways to help:

At this time monetary donations are the most helpful.  You can always give through MLLC. All gifts will be forwarded to Lutheran Disaster Response, our ELCA organization which is already at work for long term relief from Hurricane Harvey in Texas.

*We will receive donations through the offerings at every worship service as long as there is need to help.  Designate the gift as Hurricane Relief.

*You can mail in a check to MLLC at any time.  Designate the gift as Hurricane Relief.

*You can give through our web site.  Click this link for our special giving web page.  On that page you can choose the section for Disaster Relief.  Gifts can be made through your bank account, debit card or credit card.

Mucking Crews – groups of people who will help clean up junk and ruined parts of homes so householders can fix up their homes and move back in.  Our Gulf Coast Synod has partnered with crisiscleanup.org to coordinate volunteers to help muck out homes.   Chris Markert, Assistant to the Bishop, will be helping synod church volunteer crews get connected to opportunities to serve.  Here is the contact page for Pastor Markert:  Click this link.

 

ELCA Gulf Coast Synod Message

Our Gulf Coast Synod has shared this message:

The number one question we hear: “How can I help?”

As followers of Jesus, we seek to love our neighbor and serve those in need.

So first, thank you. Here on the Gulf Coast, we have heard and felt your love and support during this disaster.

Second, as people of faith, join us in prayer. For first responders and those who had to evacuate flooded homes, for people worried about family and those who trying to pick up the pieces.

Third, financial gifts are more helpful than gifts of goods right now. Financial resources are portable and used for many different purposes. Consider donating to the Gulf Coast Synod Disaster Fund (to help congregations and their people get back on their feet and serve their neighborhoods http://gulfcoastsynod.org/Hurricane-Harvey) and to Lutheran Disaster Response (for case management).

Finally, wait and listen. The disaster isn’t over. It is still raining. Once the rain stops and the water recedes, then the work begins. Then we will begin to assess what the needs are and begin to clean up.

Gulf Coast Synod Bishop’s Christmas Message

Posted by Pastor David Tinker in Announcements, ELCA, Synod and tagged with , , , , , , , , ,

Bishop Mike Rinehart BW

We are a congregation of the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod.  We are led by Bishop Michael Rinehart.  In some way each year he presents a Christmas Message for the church.  This year he offers a video message for us.  Click here for a link to this Christmas Message video.

We are in the 12 Days of Christmas, and this is a wonderful time to reflect on God’s goodness and his message of hope in the midst of darkness and sin.

Three Generations at WELCA Convention 2014

Posted by Pastor David Tinker in ELCA, Women's Ministry, Youth and tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Colette Cindy Janette airport

We had three generations of women in one family attend the 2014 Triennial Gathering of the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (WELCA).

Here is a report of this special event from Colette Wunderlich, who attended with her daughter Cindy and her granddaughter (and Cindy’s daughter) Janette.  See the photo above of these three generations at the airport on their way to Charlotte, NC, for the gathering.

Thank you to Colette, Cindy and Janette for representing MLLC at this special event.

 

Notes about the Triennial Convention:

Cindy, Janette, and I are thankful for the opportunity to attend the Triennial Women of the ELCA Convention in North Carolina in July. We would like to thank Martin Luther Women of the ELCA for their financial and prayerful support. The theme was “of many generations” and we three generations were proud to represent MLLC. Several babies were in attendance and at least six ladies over 90 years of age.

We attended Bible studies, workshops, worship, communion, and servant events. There were guest speakers, offering opportunities, and singing with no inhibition in English, Spanish, and Swahili. They put the words up and everyone sang, 2400 of us! Many of the 50 states were represented and the Virgin Islands. Our Companion Synod sister from The Central African Republic was unable to leave her country.

The workshops I attended were Streets to Live On: A WELCA Model about organizing or renewing units, Generations: The Quilt of Our Lives with great stories by Mrs. Alex Haley, Better Understand Mental Illness, and Story Matters which encouraged continual growth in faith love, and obedience in the will of God. I attended the WELCA unit workshop on Friday and wrote down many ideas from others but didn’t think any were just right for our younger women. Cindy attended that same workshop on Saturday and I was so excited when she came out and said, “Mom, I think I’ve got it, an idea for our younger women!” I’ll let her tell you about it sometime. We were told any group that does things in the name of WELCA, like our quilting group, whether there is Bible study or not, can be counted as a WELCA group. During our workshops, Janette attended the group events for about 20 girls including quilting.

Of course there was time for food and drink. We walked several blocks one night to eat at Emeril’s Charlotte, NC restaurant and I managed to sample some North Carolina beers.

The next Triennial Convention will be in Minneapolis, MN in July 2017. I’m going to start saving now.

Colette

 

Janette shown with many of the other girls at the Triennial Convention.

Janette with girls WELCA

Janette back home in Carmine quilting with a mentor/friend Jenell.

Janette Janell Quilting WELCA

Synod Assembly 2014

Posted by Pastor David Tinker in Announcements, ELCA, Synod and tagged with , , ,

20140509-100010.jpg

We are thankful for our delegation of voting members at our synod assembly this year. These include: Dana Smith, Dennis Smith, Jennifer Tinker, and Pastor David Tinker. This group is representing our congregation at the assembly of the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod. This is taking place May 8-10 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.