Among those trying to recovery from Harvey are churches in Texas. A local Butler County congregation has plans to help.
Pastor Barry Keurulainen, Senior Pastor of St. Luke Lutheran Church and School in Cabot, PA, spoke to our newsroom. He says many churches were damaged while others were virtually untouched.
“Even if they can’t have worship services in the building where they are, some of them are using rented facilities,” he said.
Even though this is the case for some, the churches are, at the same time, continuing to help their parishioners and their communities. Pastor Keurulainen says the focus is away from the buildings and on people, but they are being stretched thin with not enough resources.
St. Luke Lutheran Church is doing a few things to help, some of which you can be a part of.
The church has already scheduled a truck full of water to be delivered to Texas. The water donation has already been taken care of so no water is needed as part of St. Luke’s donations at this time.
St. Luke Lutheran Church is also collecting cleaning supplies through Sunday, Sept. 10. Pastor Kerulainen says the church is looking to help the recovery effort with things like new mops, wipes, towels, bleach, cleaners, trash cans, shovels, rubbers gloves and more. (See drop off times below. Here’s a complete list of what’s needed, https://www.stlukecabot.org/hurricane-harvey-relief )
Also, the church is in the midst of collecting monetary donations with 100 percent of what’s collected going to a church in Texas. When asked which church, Pastor Kerulainen said, “It has been laid on our hearts that many rural churches are not getting the help that others are, simply because there’s just not enough supplies, surplus and resources to spread around. We’re beginning to inquire which church that would be.” He says they may consider multiple churches depending on what is given.
If you are considering a monetary donation, please call the church for details at (724) 352-2777. That monetary collection will continue through the next couple of weeks.
For more, visit https://www.stlukecabot.org/ or call (724) 352-2777.
Drop-off for New Cleaning Supplies
St. Luke Lutheran Church and School, 330 Hannahstown Rd, Cabot, PA
Thurs (9/7/17) & Fri(9/8/17) 8:30am-11:30am & 5pm-7pm
Sunday (9/10/17) 7:30am-1pm
List of supplies needed
https://www.stlukecabot.org/hurricane-harvey-relief
Written By: Tracey Morgan for the Butler Radio Network
