Trinity Lutheran Church and School of Lombard Assembling Disaster Response Flood Relief Buckets

Rev. Steven Wagner, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lombard, Illinois, spent a little extra time in Houston recently – unplanned time – as a result of Hurricane Harvey. The suburban church that was without their pastor for almost three weeks decided to respond to the storm in a hands-on way. Trinity’s congregation and school families will be gathering supplies for Flood Relief Buckets to be distributed as needed in the wake of future flooding, in Illinois or elsewhere.

Churches of all denominations jumped into relief efforts following disastrous flooding in the wake of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and other storms through July, August and September, in Florida, Texas, Louisiana, and even nearby Lake County, Illinois. The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod organizes the efforts of their congregations through LCMS Disaster Response, who coordinates the Flood Relief Bucket project. The supply of buckets has dwindled after the climactic events of recent months.

“The congregation has really gotten behind the project,” said Wagner, “They are collecting supplies throughout October, and will assemble the buckets on October 29 as part of Trinity’s celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.”

As Wagner was headed down south for a hometown visit during the third week of August, the giant storm was nowhere near making landfall and his destination was not at risk – but all that changed. He and his hosts watched daily as the flood waters crept closer, and although their home was spared, they were stranded for several days.

Empathy for those suffering because of these damaging storms is strong at Trinity.

“Not only was our Pastor stuck in Houston during this awful storm, but everybody here knows someone in Texas or Florida who had to evacuate – or be evacuated,” shared Trinity Lutheran School preschool teacher Rachel Solyom, whose cousin was taken out by boat.

The church welcomes community contributions to the effort. Many of the items needed can be purchased at dollar or discount stores. Needed items include: paper towels, disposable rags, glass cleaner, cleansing powder (i.e. Comet), liquid cleaner, bleach (1-gallon size), scrub brushes, rubber gloves, sponges, brooms, mops and 5-gallon bucket containers. Cleaning supplies or financial support of the project may be dropped off at Trinity’s office by appointment. Call 630.629.8765 or email secretary@trinitylombard.org to arrange.

Also, Trinity's preschool through 8th grade students (and their families) are holding a Hurricane Relief car wash and bake sale on Saturday, October 14, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. They will be raising money for relief efforts in Puerto Rico and Houston. Trinity sits on the northeast corner of Roosevelt and Westmore-Meyers Rds. - as it has since 1860.

About Trinity Lutheran Church and School of Lombard

Trinity Lutheran Church is located at 1165 S. Westmore-Meyers Road, on the northeast corner of Roosevelt and Westmore-Meyers Roads in Lombard, where it has operated Trinity Lutheran School since 1860 [MAP: http://goo.gl/maps/vSYmI]. Additional information may be obtained via the Trinity Lutheran Church office at 630.629.8765 or secretary@trinitylombard.org, and details about Trinity Lutheran Church and School are available at TrinityLombard.org.