LDRNY Eletter | Eletter Archive

Dear Friends of Lutheran Disaster Response of New York:

Here’s the May 19th edition of  “Comfort & Renew Online,” a weekly e-newsletter provided by LDRNY. If you have something to share, please drop an email to mikki@LDRNY.org.

Pastor captures emotions of Ground Zero on canvas
LDRNY Deputy Director for Long Island, Pr. Tom Taylor, who spent months as a chaplain at Ground Zero, has found it very therapeutic to paint. He has worked out his feelings and emotions of seeing the devastation firsthand by expressing himself on canvas. Pr. Taylor has donated several of his paintings to the LDRNY Comfort and Renew Center, where they proudly hang. To read more about Pr. Taylor's hobby and see his oil paintings, go to www.LDRNY.org .

New Ground Day Camps embark on fourth summer in New York
New Ground Day Camps are poised to debut this summer for a fourth year in the New York metropolitan area. New Ground was launched in the summer of 2002 as a way for kids to express their feelings and work through the events of 9/11 in a safe and loving church camp environment. Run by Koinonia NYC, with generous funding from Lutheran Disaster Response of New York, New Ground takes place at more than 18 church sites from July 5 to Aug. 19. To read more about New Ground, go to www.LDRNY.org and click on Top News.

NYDIS hosts Clergy Preparedness Summit
New York Disaster Interfaith Services, of which LDRNY is a founding member, held it's second annual Clergy Preparedness Summit this week. Susan Lockwood, director of Disaster Planning and Training, said, "The bottom line of ministry is it's always all about the people, about people who are empowered.  Preparing for terrorism and other emergencies is empowering."  She also stressed that spiritual leaders become resources in times of crisis. Joseph Bruno, commissioner of the NYC Office of Emergency Management, was a featured speaker. In addition, Pr. Khader El-Yateem, Salam Lutheran Church, Brooklyn, Metropolitan New York Synod of the ELCA, also spoke. For preparedness resources for clergy and others, visit www.LDRNY.org

LDRNY coordinator to open play about 9/11 experiences
Mikki Baloy, LDRNY coordinator, is preparing for the debut of her one-woman show,"eleven,"? which opens June 7 at the critically-acclaimed Brick Theater in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Eleven tells the stories of the wave effects of 9/11. Baloy, who worked in the financial district before coming to LDRNY, has firsthand experience with that. Watch this eletter and www.LDRNY.org for upcoming information.

Want to share your faith with others at Ground Zero?
Koinonia NYC has already trained five new leaders for the Faith Walks at Ground Zero and is seeking additional leaders. More than 600 people have participated in a Koinonia NYC Faith Walk at Ground Zero and examined the events of 9/11 from a faith perspective of healing and hope.  During a three-hour Faith Walk, groups view a video of St. Paul's Chapel's ministry; hear stories about the 9/11 and the church's response; view the site from the LDRNY Comfort and Renew Center on the 20th floor, the street level and the PATH station; and conclude with a visit to St. Paul's Chapel.  Faith Walk Leaders training takes place June 2 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm.  Once training is completed, FaithWalk leaders are scheduled on an as-needed and as-available basis. If you would like to attend Faith Walk leader training and discover if this is the right ministry for you call, to register today. If you have questions, please contact Pr. Ann Tiemeyer, Koinonia NYC director, at 212-669-6130 or KoinoniaNYC@yahoo.com. To register call 212-669-6130 before May 31.

LDRNY's executive director to present at ELCA Synod Assembly
LDRNY Executive Director Dr. John J. Scibilia Jr. is presenting at the Metropolitan New York Synod Assembly on May 20-21. He will help church leaders understand and prepare a disaster and emergency response plan. He will also display the LDRNY Go Bag, so look for the LDRNY table.

Flood victims warned about black mold
A growing problem in homes affected by the April flooding is black mold. Individuals affected, as well as volunteer crews that may be involved in the recovery efforts, should learn about mold removal. Visit www.LDRNY.org for resources on black mold.

LDRNY partners with Catholic Charities on counseling program
LDRNY and Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rockville Centre are partnering on a program that will provide free mental health counseling to Long Island residents still struggling with the emotional, spiritual or behavioral wave affects of 9/11 trauma. The one-of-a-kind innovative program, called Faithful Response, is a faith-basedprogram to match Long Island residents seeking mental health services and support with state-licensed and specialized trauma counselors. "Since church is often the first place many people turn for help, it made sense to have a faith-based program,"? said Dr. John J. Scibilia, executive director of LDRNY. To read the full story, and download a brochure, go to www.LDRNY.org

Go Bags are a great idea
LDRNY's Go Bag is the most comprehensive disaster-preparedness bag on the market today. The red standard backpack is filled with more than 50 items to help a person survive in the first 24 hours following a disaster or emergency. Items include a flashlight, water, energy bar, whistle, rain poncho, mylar blanket, hand-warmer packet, radio and compass, first-aid kit, toothbrush, hand-sanitizers, ID holder, DNA/fingerprint kit, pen and pad, and much more. The suggested contribution for the Go Bag is $70 each, plus $7.50 shipping/handling, and can be obtained by calling LDRNY at 1-866-864-1600, or by visiting the website, www.LDRNY.org. Click on the red logo on the homepage to get more information and an order form.

Events, programs and training on www.LDRNY.org
You’re reminded to check the LDRNY.org website often for a complete listing of events taking place around Ground Zero and in lower Manhattan, and for programs and training relating to 9/11. They’re listed here:
http://www.ldrny.org/comfort/comfort3.asp

Take a planned Faith Walk around Ground Zero
LDRNY partner Koinonia NYC invites you to take a Faith Walk around Ground Zero. Faith Walks are inspirational and educational tours of Ground Zero and surrounding landmarks, encouraging healing and hope in the face of despair. If you’re planning a trip to New York City, or want to read more about others’ experiences, go to www.LDRNY.org. Participants always report back that they liked the Faith Walk. Here is a comment from one person: "It was informative, very moving, and certainly uplifting. In your very kind and thoughtful manner, you put us all at ease. Your friendly way made us all able to participate and enjoy this opportunity."

Make a gift to LDRNY
LDRNY is grateful for the gifts it receives. If you’d like to make a donation to honor or memorialize someone, send a check to LDRNY at the address below. Tell us who should be notified of the gift, and please provide an address. Thrivent members will have their gift matched.

You may now make a gift to support the work of LDRNY among the hidden victims of Sept. 11 online, thanks to Lutheran Community Foundation’s Charity Finder. Go to
http://www.thelcf.org/donors/charityfinder_details.asp?charity_id=145

Helpful sites you may want to visit
• Lifenet  www.9-11MentalHealth.org  1-800-LIFENET.

LDRNY contact info
To contact LDRNY, call 1-866-864-1600, or send an email to Mikki@ldrny.org Visit the website for information on any of our programs – www.LDRNY.org.

LDRNY
22 Cortlandt St.  10007
New York, NY
1-866-864-1600
212-406-9736
www.LDRNY.org
Dr. John J. Scibilia, Executive Director (john@ldrny.org)