[Mt Calvary Lutheran Church] update on church assist. to fire victims / Trunk or Treat

[Pastor Jeff - MCLC]

From:  Michigan District E-bulletin - October 29, 2007

LCMS Provides Aid to Wildfire Victims

    In its role as a first-responder when disaster strikes, LCMS World 
Relief and Human Care, the mercy arm of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod 
(LCMS), is assessing needs and determining ways the church can render aid in 
fire-ravaged Southern California.  Assistance will include providing grants 
to the LCMS Pacific Southwest District so that along with emotional and 
spiritual care, the district also can provide financial assistance to its 
congregations, members, and neighbors in need.
    There are some 216 LCMS congregations in Southern California with 70,393 
members.  At present, no LCMS churches are reporting damage, though many 
members' homes have been destroyed or damaged.  At least two congregations 
are in the line of fire-Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Lake Arrowhead and 
Light of the Valley in Valley Center.
    Rev. Glenn Merritt, director of disaster response, and Rev. Carlos 
Hernandez, director of districts and congregations, both for LCMS World 
Relief and Human Care, are in Southern California meeting with LCMS pastors 
and Pacific Southwest District staff to identify resources.  Early response 
and assistance includes:  Members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Temecula are 
volunteering at the local Red Cross shelter to help their neighbors in 
distress; St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Pacific Beach is accepting donations 
to distribute to thousands of evacuees at Qualcomm Stadium and Del Mar 
Fairgrounds; Rev. Douglas Jones of St. James Lutheran Church in Imperial 
Beach spent Monday and Tuesday at Qualcomm Stadium providing spiritual 
support in the medical section; Several churches, including Community 
Lutheran Church in Escondido, are serving as shelters for some of the 
displaced persons.
    LCMS World Relief and Human Care made an initial disbursement of $50,000 
today to the Pacific Southwest District office to be distributed to 
congregations to assist members who were evacuated.  "Financial assistance, 
volunteering, and providing shelter are just some of the ways we are 
providing immediate assessment and response," said LCMS World Relief and 
Human Care's Hernandez.  "Much work lies ahead of us as needs continue to 
surface in the aftermath of what is being called one of the worst fire 
disasters in California history."
    For more information on the LCMS response to the Southern California 
wildfire disaster, visit http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=12681 
.

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News and Events

Ablaze! Participation Assessment.  Information is desired about 
congregations' participation in Ablaze!, particularly in the registering of 
Critical Events/Gospel Contact.  If you have opinions or ideas you would 
like to share about the registration process, please contact 
pastorddavis at stlukehas.com.

"Trunk or Treat" will be held on Wednesday, October 31, from 6:00 to 8:00 
pm, in the parking lot of Mount Calvary, Greenville.  Members and friends 
will be passing out candy and treats from the trunks of vehicles to 
trick-or-treaters.  Refreshments will also be served. There will also be an 
indoor distribution of outerwear - coats, sweaters, scarves, mittens, etc. - 
to anyone who is in need.  The public is invited and encouraged to 
participate in this safe, fun event.  Bring your family and friends!  For 
further information, contact the church office at 616.754.4886 or visit 
www.mountcalvarygreenville.org .

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E-classified

MOST Ministries has two open positions; a full time Staff Assistant and a 
part time Storehouse Attendant.  The Staff Assistant will provide clerical 
support, maintain data files, prepare training and communications materials 
and manage team travel and visa arrangements.  The Storehouse Attendant will 
maintain team supplies inventory and database, prepare, pack and ship team 
supplies and maintain the storehouse facility.  For more information, please 
contact Carly Stevens at 734.994.7909 ext.18 or carly.most at juno.com.

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Debby Fall
Director of Communications
Michigan District, LCMS
Production Manager
Michigan In Touch