Nebraska Synod ELCA

By Deacon Timothy Siburg

In worship this past Sunday you might have heard the story about Jesus in the boat. You know, the one where he is awakened by the disciples out of their fears that they will drown. The one where Jesus ultimately calms the storm, wind, and waves by saying, “Peace! Be still!” (Mark 4:39, NRSV). Words that Jesus says to you and me this day too.

This seems like a good invitation to reflect on where we have been as God’s people the past couple of months. This year’s spring season was a very active one in Nebraska, and we’re now almost exactly two months out from the Arbor Day tornado outbreak experienced in Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa. The storms have continued since. There have been more tornadoes, rain, floods, and hail. But amid it all, God’s people continue to walk together trusting that God walks with us always.

As such, recovery continues. Households and families impacted have been receiving help first from their insurance providers, then FEMA, and then other community organizations, nonprofits, congregations, and the generosity of the Nebraska Synod Disaster Response fund too. If you know of someone needing financial help as they recover from these spring storms, please reach out to the Synod Disaster Response Team through the Synod Office.

We are grateful for being the church together, and for the continued generosity and presence of the people and congregations who are the Nebraska Synod. Thank you especially to the on-going and faithful response on the ground we continue to see through  Bethany Lutheran Church in Elkhorn, First Lutheran Church in Blair, and St. John’s Lutheran in Bennington.

As the financial responses seem to be flowing, the need for volunteers to help with response efforts continue and vary. For real-time updates and volunteer opportunities, please follow Omaha Rapid Response on Facebook for more information and opportunities to serve. The Synod’s Adult Mission Trip group is also currently discerning how it will help respond. If you are interested in this effort, please stay tuned for more information, or contact Pastor Becky Beckmann for more. The Synod’s Disaster Response Team has been activated and continues to be ready to assist when called upon. It is also beginning the work of discerning needs going forward for the synod’s congregations in how together we can be proactive in meeting and being ready for future storms and weather events.

Though the storms have continued, so too have the prayers and presence of God’s people. Thank you for all that you and your congregations have done to walk with your siblings in Christ during this time of active weather. Please continue to hold one another in prayer, and to do what you can to help your neighbors in need.

Let us pray. O God of creation, eternal majesty, you preside over land and sea, sunshine and storm. By your strength pilot us, by your power preserve us, by your wisdom instruct us, and by your hand protect us, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.