Nebraska Synod ELCA

Submitted by: PMA Sandy Terry, Faith Ambassadors Lutheran Parish, Scribner, NE

On Friday, May 12, 2023, numerous severe thunderstorms developed north of the Platte River in Dodge County. The storms produced up to 19 tornados which were confirmed by the National Weather Service. Along with wind damage, hail and some flooding it was estimated that the peak winds reached 125 mph. As a result, damage to personal property, power lines, outbuildings, structural damage to homes, grain bins, farm equipment, center pivot irrigation systems and livestock.

The path of the storm traveled right through the Faith Ambassadors Lutheran Parish of Scribner and Uehling, Nebraska, with members and area residences affected. It was truly a blessing that there were no casualties and the four churches did not receive any damage. At worship services on Sunday, May 14 th , Mother’s Day, members were invited into a time of sharing and specific prayers for all those affected. The big question that morning was “How can we help?”

The FALP Council at their meeting discussed a variety of possibilities and it was suggested that the best way to assist would be to provide meals and deliver them to all those affected. A list of twenty names was generated (later, additional names were identified with a total of 26) with Don and Becky Von Seggern taking the lead to begin immediately to get the word out. They coordinated the components for the meal with a mass email sent out to all Faith Ambassadors members. As the week progressed, casseroles, salads, rolls and cookies were donated way beyond the original number requested. On Saturday, May 20th , members from all four congregations, ranging in age from 4 to 84, came together at St. John Lutheran Church, Cuming County Line, to package and assemble the meals. Names and a prayer card were attached to the 26 prepared meals. Volunteers then began delivering the meals to the local residents affected by this storm. With all the help received, Faith Ambassadors Lutheran Parish was able to live up to their mission statement, “Serving our Neighbors through Christ.”

Submitted by: PMA Sandy Terry, Faith Ambassadors Lutheran Parish, Scribner, NE