Between February 22 and March 3, 2012, a deadly series of storms raced
across the Midwest and the South, spawning at least 64 violent tornadoes
that killed more than 50 people and injured many more in 14 states.
Hundreds of homes, farms and businesses were damaged or destroyed during
the outbreak.

Currently, ELCA Disaster Response and ELCA congregations are providing
spiritual care, coordinating volunteer response through local partner
agencies and laying the groundwork for further response as communities
repair and rebuild. No ELCA congregations have reported severe damage.

Please help now with your contribution to ELCA Disaster Response
designated
for “U.S. Severe Spring Storms.” YOUR GIFTS DESIGNATED TO U.S. SEVERE
SPRING STORMS WILL BE USED ENTIRELY (100 PERCENT) to help families whose
lives and livelihoods have been impacted by these disasters.

Wondering what else you can do? Please share this bulletin insert [5] with
your congregation and tell others of the ELCA’s response. Your prayers and
your partnership are greatly needed and deeply appreciated. Thank you.

Sincerely,

The Rev. Daniel Rift

Director, ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal

P.S. PLEASE HELP ME GET THE WORD OUT. USE THIS TO SHARE THIS INFORMATION
WITH YOUR CONGREGATION THIS WEEKEND.

WAYS TO GIVE

Checks or money orders should be sent to:

ELCA Disaster Response
39330 Treasury Center
Chicago, IL 60694-9300

Write “U.S. SEVERE SPRING STORMS” on your check memo line.
———————–
Give by phone at 800-638-3522 or online [10].

The 4th annual Circle of Grace Chili Feed was held on March 1st from 4:00-6:00 pm. Thanks to all the people who cooked their  favorite chili’s for this event.

the hungry crowd and send them on their way to find their own food. Frowning on this suggestion, Jesus challenged the disciples to feed the people. The disciples responded that it would cost them a year’s salary to feed all the people even one slice of bread each. Jesus told them to go among the people and see how many loaves of bread they had. The community’s resources were five loaves and two fish.

Jesus, taking the five loaves and the two fish, looked up to heaven, blessed and broke them, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people. And there was enough food to feed all of the people with some left over. Was then, the miracle simply the multiplying of the loaves and the fish?

Those, to whom much had been given, shared with those who had little—just as we do when we collect quarters for hunger. Our Synod Assembly theme this year is “Sowing Seeds of Hope: God’s work. Our hands. When we respond to the needs of others by sharing what we have been given, we are sowing seeds of hope. Our hunger dollars go to support food sustainability projects of our companion synod in Malawi. In addition, we are also supporting the work of ELCA World Hunger.  When we share our own “loaves and fishes,” God’s work is indeed carried on with our hands!

Please bring your ELCA World Hunger boxes to church by Sunday, May 2^nd.