| Pastoral Letter From Bishop Jerge - Storm and Flood Response September 8, 2011 Dear friends and colleagues, Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy. The Kyrie keeps echoing through my mind and heart every time I see or hear yet another weather or flooding alert on radio, TV or e-mail. And now after more rain yesterday Montgomery County and Schoharie are in states of emergency, there are evacuations in the Binghamton, Scotia and Amsterdam and parts of the NYS Thruway are closed again. And by the time you receive this communication the waters of the Mohawk, Schoharie and Susquehanna Rivers will have risen further. The flooding has affected a wider area this time and so in addition to our brothers and sisters in New Jersey, we add Upper and Lower Susquehanna Synods who are now putting together their disaster response teams as Susquehanna River rises. As Beth Yenchko, Interim DEM, begins her work here in Upstate New York, she is receiving reports that her home in Harrisburg is flooded. We have stood and will continue to walk with and assist as we're able those who are in areas that are affected. Patsy Glista, AIM, our Disaster Relief Coordinator has been tirelessly at work making contacts and connections, visiting flood sites, and activating the network that she helped to create to respond in these times of need. Thank you to Lutheran Care, Clinton for their cooperation in these efforts and their investment through the years in helping to build the Synod's Disaster Response network. The ELCA Lutheran Disaster Response folks have been a source of encouragement, information and emergency help as well. An experienced Disaster Coordinator will soon arrive in Upstate New York to help coach and mentor those who will be working with the long-term rebuilding efforts here. Conference Deans have been tracking and praying with individuals. People are stepping up to help in the midst of the storm and from across the synod. St. Luke's, Sidney is filled to capacity as an emergency shelter. Members of St. Paul's, Richmondville and Zion, Cobleskill are volunteering in shelters and other capacities. King of Kings, Liverpool sent a team of workers over Labor Day weekend to begin the process of mucking out the mud. St. John's, W. Seneca has a crew ready to go to Middleburgh next week (assuming plans don't change with the new floods.) People in Niagara Frontier, Genesee Finger Lakes and Central Crossroads are gathering flood buckets. As soon as I finish this letter I will be working the phones to make connections with caregivers and those affected. What you can do: Pray - Please continue to pray for those whose lives have been impacted by the floods, particularly those communities that are being evacuated or flooded for the second time. Some of our congregations include Bethany, Central Bridge; St. Paul's, Oak Hill; and Christ the King, Vestal. Remember Hector and Cindy Rivera, Beth Yenchko and Pastors William Hodgetts, Norma Malfatti and Dennis Meyer. Pray for the caregivers who continue in emergency mode - particularly Patsy Glista and Elaine Berg (Foothills Conference Dean.) Give - donations to LDR, Upstate NY Hurricane/Flood Relief, may be sent c/o Lutheran Homes Foundation, 108 Utica Rd., Clinton, NY 13323. ELCA Lutheran Disaster Response are always welcome as well. (see ELCA website). Gather materials - see September 7th Upstate Update on our website for details regarding Flood Bucket donation sites. Volunteer - Volunteers with experience in clean-up and mucking out are needed now. With mold and water soaked buildings it is important for those doing clean up to use proper procedures and care. Don't worry- there will be plenty of work opportunities in the months to come in the re-building. You may e-mail availability to admin@nyvoad.org providing type of assistance you can provide and contact info. My deep thanks to Patsy Glista and Neal Fischer who have been providing outstanding communication to you in the last weeks. Future updates will be made through the biweekly Upstate Updates and in a more timely fashion through our website, Facebook page and Twitter account outlets. Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy. Grace and peace, Rev. Marie C. Jerge Bishop, Upstate New York Synod | 
