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12.13.08
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In Response to the Storms that Hit Oregon and Washington Lutheran Disaster Response has been active since Monday Dec 3 in response to the storms that hit Oregon and Washington. We are assessing the impact, developing first response to community and individual needs, coordinating the statewide Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, and preparing for long term recovery grants from LDR churchwide. How Do I Help? Lutheran Disaster Fund donations can be sent to: ELCA Disaster Response P.O. Box 71764 Chicago, IL 60694-1764 Make checks payable to: "ELCA Domestic Disaster Response." Please make sure to mark all donations: "For the Disaster Response in Oregon and/or Washington". More information can be found on the ELCA web site at www.elca.org/disaster. Funds can also be sent directly to: Lutheran Disaster Response NW 605 SE 39th Street, Portland OR 97214. 100% of donated money goes directly to service delivery to families and individuals Food Donations Food Banks throughout Oregon have lean shelves. Food especially to Tillamook is helpful. Take donated food to the Fairgrounds where the Salvation Army is distributing to impacted individuals and families. Several people in Tillamook have lost jobs because of the disaster. These folks can apply for unemployment benefits from the state immediately. Later FEMA will provide extended benefits, again through the state system. Donations for families to meet immediate needs such as rent, utilities would be helpful in Tillamook. The Salvation Army warehouse is the regional distribution center for Tillamook County. If you have commodities to deliver please call Steve Forester at 503 812-3067. [Vernonia is presently overwhelmed by volunteers and donations.] Note any specific information on use of funds sent to LDR-NW for the following purposes: Hardship Grants (goes to impacted families), Volunteer Teams (used to organize and place cleanup teams or rebuild teams) to Long Term Recovery, generally used to equip teams to do rebuilds, purchase building materials etc. We are working with local relief community groups in Clatsop, Columbia, and Tillamook counties. We expect that the following counties may receive Presidential Declarations: Coos, Curry, Polk, and Yamhill.
We also work in Washington, Lewis County SW Washington, etc. We are organizing Long Term Recovery Committees in affected areas, or collaborating with those already set up. We are coordinating the response of the major disaster response groups...such as the Methodists, Adventists, Presbyterians, Oregon Food Bank, Red Cross, Salvation Army, etc. These are experienced and trained providers. Case management systems are being set up to avoid duplication of efforts and outreach to remote communities that do not receive media attention, but where needs are great. Contact: Norene Goplen LDR-NW Cell: 503-502-6211 Email: LutheranAdvocate@aol.com (preferred) O: 503-731-9519 Office Email: ngoplen@lcsnw.org
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Lutheran Disaster Response NW ….a collaborative effort of the ELCA Synods and the LCMS NW District in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington in partnership with Lutheran Community Services NW and our national church organizations. In a disaster, who are the first responders? Simultaneously, the non governmental agencies, join with their immense resources. After the first response, groups like Lutheran Disaster Response NW are prepared to assist or lead state and local volunteers in the cleanup and direct assistance needed by individuals and families. We will also prepare for reconstruction in the affected areas. Our significant partners are the organizations that are part of the Oregon and Washington VOADS [Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster] and WIDRO [Washington Interfaith Disaster Response Organization] ORVOAD had it’s first disaster response meeting on December 11, organized by Lutheran Disaster Response NW. The WAVOAD will have its meeting December 14 in Seattle. Key contacts for all groups in Oregon are Norene Goplen LDR-NW LutheranAdvocate@aol.com and in Washington, Neil Molenaar of WIDRO NeilMolenaar@aol.com. Both are organizing Long Term Recovery Committees in local communities in these states. And who is there as the last responders? |
Stories of those first efforts Galilean Chapel at Ocean Shores Washington had a generator . As the storms hit and power was lost throughout the coastal communities, they became the local shelter, feeding center, and pastoral presence helping neighbors to stay warm and secure. First Lutheran in St Helen’s Oregon responded quickly to a rural family of 8 at Deer Island who had lost their pumps. Until the pumps are repaired, they are bringing water for cooking, individual needs, sanitation needs, … and friendship. For a family ranging from a 2 year old to a disabled grandmother, it is a sign of hope and recovery. Congregations of the Sunset Cluster in Oregon provided help to a relief center in Vernonia, Oregon. Overwhelmed by donated food, cleanup supplies, clothing, and household goods, items were scattered on the floor. Our churches gathered tables, delivered and set them up to help their volunteers to organize material for this stricken community. Family for Kids a program of Lutheran Community Services. The coordinator of this program in Centralia called desperate for help for four foster families listing needs such as heat; a full size bed; food; twin box mattress and box; soap ; garden hoses to spray down homes; I gave her background info on resources, but if you can help contact Laverta Hartley Cell: 360-430-5681 Later we will have a coordinated process for informing you of needs. Trinity Lutheran at Mt Vernon, Washington has provided teams who have responded to Katrina needs in the gulf coast states. Immediately they became available for cleanup and are part of the planning process for rebuilds in Oregon and Washington. and…a Lutheran Disaster Response Coordinator from Biloxi Mississippi called to say thank you to the teams from the Northwest who have helped them, and offered help and financial assistance to us. God be praised for the hearts and hands of Lutherans in the Northwest |
| The January/February Update is Now Online Start thinking about the 2008 Oregon Synod Assembly May 30-June 1, 2008 Red Lion on the River, Jantzen Beach, Portland www.oregonsynod.org/08assembly. |
| Book of Faith Advent Devotions The "Book of Faith" is an initiative of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. This initiative invites the whole church to become more fluent in the first language of faith, the language of Scripture, in order that we might live into our calling as a people renewed, enlivened, and empowered by the Word. Beginning this Advent, December 2, Bishop Dave Brauer-Rieke will be doing a regular devotion online. This resource will be a “Bible study tickler" as we begin our journey through the Word together. To read the devotions online, please visit www.oregonsynod.org/bookoffaith/. At this site you may also sign up for the devotions to be sent to your e-mail address. The subscription link can be found on the right hand column of the web site. To find out more about “Book of Faith”, you might check out the ELCA web site at http://www.elca.org/bookoffaith/. |
| IRS Announces 2008 Standard Mileage Rates; Rate for Business Miles Set at 50.5 Cents per Mile IR-2007-192, Nov. 27, 2007 WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today issued the 2008 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes .Beginning Jan. 1, 2008, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (including vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:
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| Annual Meeting Letter from Bishop Dave Brauer-Rieke It is that time of year again for our annual meetings with the budgets, resolutions, and/or visioning processes. Bishop Dave Brauer-Rieke's letter addressing your congregations for your annual meeting report is now available. download PDF letter . |
| 2008 ELCA Rostered Leader Forms To Bishop Now Available Online This electronic report form is designed to assist rostered leaders in submitting their annual reports to the synod bishop. This form can now be found online at http://www.elca.org/secretary/reports/ldrForm.html. |
| The ELCA Board of Pensions announces new benefit for Interim Pastors Starting January 1st, interim pastors will have the option to continue disability coverage at their own expense when between assignments. They are offering this new benefit option in support of pastors who specialize in interim ministry. Interim pastors are eligible to continue ELCA disability coverage when between assignments if they are under call, or have completed a call, from the synod council. Eligible interim pastors who are currently between assignments have until March 1, 2008 to apply for continuing disability benefits. Interim pastors and synod council are encouraged to visit the Board of Pensions web site for details about this new benefit option, including the application form: www.elcabop.org/ManageMyLifeChanges/Spec_interim_min.aspx. |
| The Life of Apostle Peter With Rick Steves Available Dec 1, 2007 Join public television travel host and guide book author Rick Steves as he recounts the story of the Apostle Peter from his early days as a fisherman, through his three-year adventure with Jesus, to the tumultuous events surrounding Jesus’ death and resurrection. more |
In this season of hope and wonder the ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility program has put together a list of resources that you may find helpful. Please visit the "The Twelve Days of Christmas"
"From time to time the ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility program shares materials that you may find informative or useful in understanding corporate social responsibility issues. The views expressed in these materials reflect the positions of the outside organization and may not necessarily reflect an official position of the ELCA.
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January 2-4
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| January 14-16 Byberg Preaching Workshop 2008 Developing skills of ELCA preachers Speaker: Douglas John Hall "What Christianity Is Not" Cannon Beach Christian Conference Center, Cannon Beach Download PDF Brochure Registration for this workshop is full. |
| Oregon Synod Outreach Grants The Oregon Synod Outreach Team is now receiving inquiries and applications for Partnership Support Grants from the Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission Unit of the ELCA. The grants, which can range from $18,000-$45,000 over 2 or 3 years, are intended to help congregations develop outreach that addresses their context, but also takes them beyond their comfort zone. Not every application receives funding. Each applicant congregation needs to have or be developing a mission strategy, be familiar with the Oregon Synod Outreach Strategy (available on the synod web site), and show growth in mission support. Information about specific grant categories, qualifications, and applications are available from Pastor Harvey Blomberg, Mission Director. The deadline for the applications (first draft) is February 1, 2008. Funding begins in February 2009. Contact Pastor Blomberg at blomberg@spselca.org or 800-275-3522. Questions can also be directed to Pastor Donna Herzfeldt-Kamprath, Outreach Team leader, at donnalhk@aol.com or 541-884-6414. Both will be available for consultation at the Bishop’s Convocation in Seaside. |
| Mission Investment Fund (MIF) “I love having a Mission Investment for KIDZ account….I know I am helping churches grow, and I am learning to save!” ……a 12-year old investor. Give a child in your life an opportunity to help with the mission of the church, by giving a Mission Investment for KIDZ this Christmas! For more information, contact: margie.fiedler@elca.org. 208-664-7973. |
March 31-April 3, 2008 |
Other Highlights |
December 22 January 17—February 21 (7-9 pm) January 22 – March 4 February 15-17 Position Openings |
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