LDR SEPA Meeting Minutes for July 16, 2007

Location: Christ Memorial Lutheran Church, 89 Line Road, Malvern, PA

Time: 9:00 am

Convener: Julia Menzo

Facilitator: Bill Erat

Recorder: Linda Frey

Attending: Julia Menzo, David Reynders, Pastor Skee, Ed Lucas, Linda Frey, Bill Erat, Bill Rex, Linda Hatcher, Vincent Candida

David Reynders opened with prayer.

REPORTS

Julia Menzo reported on Heather Feltman’s email regarding the disasters in Southeastern Kansas and Northeastern Oklahoma. LDR’s response to the areais pastoral care and case management.

Julia’s mailing last week included registration form for August 17 and August 18, 2007 Peercy training, flyer for September 8, 2007 Thanks-Giving Celebration, and a congregation survey. The purpose of the survey is to learn resources. Email sent toover 600in the data base, and letters mailed to congregations.

Local and Gulf Coast volunteers, and anyone involved in disaster response are invited to the September 8thThanks-Giving Celebration at Christ Lutheran Church, Kulpsville. Music and food will be provided. Bob and Brenda Montgomery, Ocean Springs, MS will be guest speakers.A Celebration bulletin insert will be mailed to churches c/o thesecretary.

The two summer interns have been collecting data, received VOAD training, and are presently at Camp Victor, MS helping to rebuildand workingas counselors for Camp Noah.

Point persons are in place throughout the area as a result of the two June volunteer meetings. Periodic meetings will be scheduled for disaster site coordinators.

See Julia’s Coordinator’s Report dated July 16, 2007 for the dates of Upcoming Meetings/Events. (copy attached)

Bill Erat reported on the LDR grant. $27,000 remains in round three. The final eight proposals will be reviewed and the $27,000 split between the top two. Impact is to wait and see if we are one of the top two. We will continue doing what we are doing, but goals may have to be cut back.

Liberty Lutheran has preparedness money in the amount of $44-45,000 and this may be used. LDR’s next grant cycle is February 2008.

Linda Hatcher reported on spiritual care. One training resource isBonnie Turner, North Dakota. Linda will preview her materials. The training being developed by LDR/North Dakota has a target roll out date of the end of the year and will be offered nationally via the national LDR office so it is more than just a local effort.Linda is not sure when she will receive it to preview, but the test training in Fargo is sometime in November. There is another one in Montana sometime as well.

Linda developed devotional power points. She worked on rituals at the request ofBishop Warren who told her there is a great need for these.

Linda developed a spiritual/emotional assessment tool. It was reviewed and approved for sharing withBishop Warren, Kevin Massey and Pastor Beverly Wallace, Assistant to the Bishop/Coordinator of Pastoral Care Ministry for Gulf Coast Recovery.

See Linda Hatcher’s LDR Spiritual Care Report dated July 16, 2007. (copy attached)

Discussion – Find a two to three week period to send pastors to the Gulf Coast to providerelief to tired pastors. Gulf Coast pastors could stay at the LCMS retreat in New York for R and R. A training program should be in place for pastors going to the Gulf, and a proposal sent to Pastor Beverly Wallace. We would fund this project.

Mark Staples is still involved in Mt. Airy preparedness.

Pastor Rex spoke about creating a process for communicating disaster preparedness. This would take the form of displays that could be taken on the roadto events such a town community days.

Next meeting September 10, 2007, 9:00 am, St. Luke’s EvangelicalLutheranChurch, 470 Church Hill Road, Ferndale, PA18921.

Due to a number of conflicts, this meeting date will be changed. (jem)

Meeting closed 11:30 am.

LDR Spiritual Care Report

Rev. Linda Hatcher

July 16, 2007

  1. Followed up on all who signed up in August with the exception of one person whose information was wrong.
  2. 16 interested in being trained
  3. 6 interested in working on a planning team
  4. 2 not interested at this time
  5. 6 – no response
  1. Contacts made re resources
  2. Bishop Warren – have had several conversations (phone, e-mail with him)
  3. Dr. Gary Harbough (recommended by Bishop Warren)
  4. Florida Bahamas Synod (recommended by Dr. Harbough)
  5. NY Metro Synod (recommended by Dr. Harbough)
  6. Kevin Massey (Referred to Bonnie Turner)
  7. Bonnie Turner (LDR – North Dakota) ****
  8. Lucille Underwood (State Voad)
  9. Tried MN – couldn’t connect with anyone
  1. Developed an spiritual assessment tool which will be placed on the national LDR website as a resource
  1. Gulf Coast meeting with pastors/Rev. Beverly Wallace: Very tired pastors – including Pr. Wallace. Pastors need relieve. Emotional stress test given – scores were through the roof.

5. Will be working on the development of training event(s): (Volunteer spiritual caregivers, pastors to relieve pastors in disaster areas, first responder pastoral care givers…)

  1. ****Bonnie Turner – LDR, North Dakota (curriculum currently being developed. I’ve been asked to preview it prior to publication - hopefully offered on the national LDR website
  2. Spiritual Gifts Inventory – which spiritual caregivers fit best in which setting
  1. Working on Power Point and rituals. Done with a Lord’s Prayer and Psalm PP.
  1. Taking 2 classes: Spiritual Counseling Facilitator and Disaster Rituals for Healing and Hope
  1. Reading several documents regarding spiritual care
  1. Light our Way
  2. Act of God; Active God
  3. Internet resources
  1. Looking for a good Caregiver Self Assessment Tool