took Ferguson's government

grant money and disappeared

without doing the repairs. In des 

peration, she called Lutheran

Social Services of the South

(LSS), which annually serves

more than 35,000 people in need

in Texas and Louisiana.

LSS contacted Jean and

Dale Peercy, construction volun 

teer coordinators with Lutheran

Disaster Response (LDR), who

lead the repair of damaged homes

for LSS and LDR. 

 As soon as Jeannie and

Dale came to my house, I knew

everything was going to get bet 

ter,  Ferguson said.  They knew

exactly what to say and do.  

The Peercys organized 

volunteers who tackled repairs,

including restoring the 

foundation and plumbing. The

Ferguson home was one of

14,000 Houston area jobs LDR

volunteers expect to tackle.

Nancy Habermeier, a full time parish nurse at Trinity Lutheran

Church, Roselle, Ill., meets with Elaine Whiting. LCMS Health

LCMS World Relief provided $65,000 toward

Ministries promotes wellness through initiatives such as parish 

the $137,000 LDR fund for such work.

nursing and congregational health ministries.

 When people ask why we come to help, that

opens the door,  Jean Peercy said.  We tell them

and hospitals, and assistance for people with dis 

the Lord has called us to be their neighbor and to

abilities. (One in three not for profit nursing

care. 

home beds in the U.S. is provided by a Lutheran

LDR is a cooperative program of the LCMS

institution.)

and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

(ELCA) Domestic Disaster Response. 

   Districts and Congregations providing

resources and expertise for districts and congre 

A helping hand and Gospel heart

gations to identify and respond to community

needs beyond church doors. 

LCMS World Relief and Human Care helps

hurting and needy people throughout the world,

   Specialized Pastoral Care and Clinical Education

reaching out in the clear name of Jesus and provid 

(Chaplaincy) including some 380 LCMS chap 

ing a clear Lutheran confession of faith. The core

lains and pastoral care counselors in hospitals,

ministries include:

nursing homes and police and fire departments.

   LCMS Health Ministries promotes the wellness

   LCMS World Relief the Synod's disaster

of body, mind and spirit for LCMS members,

response and self help arm ministers to immedi 

their families and professional church workers.

ate needs in emergencies and supports long term

projects in the U.S. and overseas.

   LCMS Life Ministries resources and advocacy

for human life issues related to human cloning,

   Social Ministry Organizations liaison to

abortion and euthanasia.

Lutheran Services in America, the network of

281 Lutheran agencies (120 recognized by the

Also provided is funding for  Veterans of the

LCMS) touching 5.8 million people with services

Cross  retired church workers and spouses who

such as foster care and adoption, nursing homes

need assistance to make ends meet.

Photo:Trinity Lutheran Church, Roselle, Ill.

(43) FEBRUARY 2003

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