Faith on the Ground: A Lutheran Response to Hurricane Helene

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by Mark Brosch

Eleven people from three different Lutheran Churches traveled to Avery County North Carolina to offer helping hands to people who were devastated by Hurricane Helene. The trip was of benefit to the victims and heart wrenching but rewarding to the volunteers.

It is projected that recovery from this storm, in this area, will take up to 20 years. Until it can be seen firsthand, it is hard to imagine, and even harder to communicate the devastation that was caused by this “once in forever” storm. Mountain creeks turned into raging rivers. Severe flooding at 4,600 feet in elevation. Mudslides and landslides. Trees down everywhere, bridges washed out (in many cases, still), homes severely damaged at best, totally gone at worst. Personal belonging ruined or lost. Lives lost.

The base camp for this team of volunteers was Lutherock Camp and Conference Center (A Novusway campsite). Located in the heart of Avery County, on the west side of Sugar Mountain, Lutherock took a massive hit from Hurricane Helene. Roads washed out, estimate of 2,000 trees downed, rooms flooded. There was concern at one point that the camp would be in condition to have “camps” in 2025. But thanks to the many volunteers and donators Lutherock will open for business the first week in June.

Part of the team’s efforts on this trip was to finalize some projects (replace rotted cabin floor, tree and debris removal, install deck railing that was wiped out by mudslide) that needed to be done before camp could open. Mission accomplished!

The major work done by the volunteers was working with two “clients” (better name than “victims”) in the Avery County Community. These two projects were coordinated through Western Carolina Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR). One team worked on the house of a single mom with three kids. The goal was to start the installation of flooring throughout the entire house. The team stayed a bit longer on Saturday and finished the entire house. Mission accomplished!

The other team worked at a house owned by a senior couple . Their house was built elevated 8” above ground level. At the peak of the flood, seven inches of water got into the house. Not as far along the recovery road as others, this team’s goal was to do debris and trash removal and paint the interior of the house. The team got all the walls and ceilings painted throughout the house and the deck was cleared to the point where the couple could sit outside and dream of moving back into their house. Mission accomplished!

Of course, there were the evening dinners and social hours that are such a meaningful part of a trip like this. Meeting new friends, sharing, joking, playing games and just relaxing make for a perfect recovery time. Mission accomplished!

But the real mission that is accomplished on a disaster recovery trip like this is what the volunteer takes home. In this case, what is received is much better than what is given. Receiving the appreciation, the smiles and looks of “there is hope” from the Clients is something that is never forgotten. Hopefully, there will be other trips in the future that others will be able to experience “Mission Accomplished”!

 

 

 

Click the images below for a glimpse into this project!

Painter Mark
Painter – Mike M
Painters Kirk and Ken
Work Site
Painter Kirk
Painter Ken
Painters Kirk and Mike
Painters Kirk & Mike
Painter Mike
Painter Mike
Finished Product Deck
Deck After

Empowering the Next Generation through YELLS

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A Story of Your Generosity At Work

For 10 years, Lutheran Church of the Resurrection has proudly partnered with YELLS (Youth Empowerment through Learning, Leading, and Serving) to invest in the lives of young people and strengthen our community. LCR has shown up again and again to support the mission of YELLS — and the impact continues to grow.

YELLS is more than an afterschool program. It’s a powerful movement that equips young people to become community leaders and changemakers. As their Executive Director, Laura Keefe, writes, “The world needs caring leaders ready to build their communities, and LCR is helping nurture that through your support of YELLS.”

 

Through your generosity, YELLS has been able to:

✔️ Empower 117 youth across their programs in 2024

🎓 Celebrate 100% of seniors graduating and beginning college

📍 Expand beyond Franklin Gateway to launch a second site in Fair Oaks, growing from 9 to over 40 elementary students in just one year.

 

These youth are making a real difference — writing proposals, organizing community events, and mobilizing neighbors for change. 

LCR’s involvement has extended far beyond check-writing…though we collectively shared $5,000 in funds from our budget in 2024. LCR members have also repaired YELLS facilities, mentored students, participated in community events, and given special support from our Endowment Fund during a critical time in their work last year.

“We’ve been beyond blessed to have Lutheran Church of the Resurrection as such an engaged partner,” Laura shared. “You and your entire congregation are valued members of our YELLS family.”

As we look ahead, we remain deeply committed to walking alongside YELLS in their work to raise up leaders who learn, lead, and serve — and we’re honored to be part of this vibrant, hope-filled mission.

To learn more or get connected talk to George O’Donnell or Richard Leon or visit yellsinc.org

Serving Others Through Art

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By Margaret Perry

A group from LCR picked up paintbrushes to serve the community through The Foundation for Hospital Art. Their work will become part of colorful murals placed in hospitals, care homes, and other facilities—completely free of charge.

To learn more about this project, visit hospitalart.org.

📸 Pictured above: Sandy, Margaret, Sandy, Vicky, Cindy, and Linda.

Serving Through Fellowship

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by George O’Donnell

During the month of March, the LCR Serving Ministries (Outreach) Team is assisting by serving the refreshments during our weekly Fellowship Hour between services on Sunday mornings.

On March 9, the LCR team for Must Ministries will be serving and having an underwear collection for MUST clients, on March 16 the LCR team for YELLS will be serving and on March 23, the LCR Team for Guatemala will be serving.

Serving others is at the heart of our congregation and these teams look forward to serving the members of LCR as they do the broader community outside of our church throughout the year.

MUST Ministries

Supporting MUST Ministries: Help Provide Essential Items for Those in Need

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On Sunday, March 9, 2025, Fellowship Hour will shine a spotlight on our ministry partner, MUST Ministries, and their Hope House Shelter. Hope House provides food, shelter, and essential resources for individuals experiencing homelessness in our community.

To support their work, we are collecting new underwear and socks in all sizes for adults and children. These basic necessities are often overlooked but are in constant demand. Providing these items can offer dignity, comfort, and warmth to those who rely on Hope House for support.

We invite you to bring your donations to the Gathering Room on March 9 and stay for refreshments as we learn more about the impact of MUST Ministries. This is a simple yet meaningful way to serve our neighbors and share God’s love in a tangible way.

For more information, contact Dana Jelinek or Heather Boyer.

🔗 Learn more about Hope House: mustministries.org/marietta-must-hope-house

Celebrating the Immerse Experience: A Journey Through Scripture

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Are you looking for an inspiring way to engage with the Bible? Do you long for a space where questions are welcomed and conversations flow freely? This January, we launched the Immerse Bible Reading Experience to do just that! With a format that removes common barriers to Bible reading, Immerse invites participants into a book club-style journey through scripture, creating meaningful connections with both God and one another. As our first groups delve into Messiah, the reflections and experiences so far have been remarkable.

Discovering a New Way to Read Participants have found the Immerse format to be an easy and engaging way to explore scripture. Sandy Brosch, a member of the Mary/Martha Monday Morning group, shared, “It is such an easy way to read the Bible and to understand it. My group is not normally a talkative group, but we seem to be having more discussion.” The narrative structure, free from verse numbers and headings, allows readers to immerse themselves in the text without distraction.

Annette Alexa, who facilitates the Friday evening book club, echoed this sentiment: “The book format is an easier read. Without the headings and verse numbering, there is nothing to interrupt the thought process as I am reading.” This shift in presentation has opened up new insights and deeper conversations among participants.

Shifting Perspectives and Meaningful Conversations Pastor Rich has been deeply moved by the thoughtful discussions emerging from the Immerse groups. He reflected on how participants are discovering fresh perspectives on familiar stories, uncovering themes of foreshadowing, repetition, and deeper meaning. “Many participants shared how their understanding of the Bible has evolved,” he noted.

For many, this experience has reshaped their perception of Jesus’ teachings. One group noticed how Jesus’ words felt sterner and more direct in this format, prompting conversations about cultural context and his approach to discipleship.

“Reading other versions of the Bible, this was not as apparent,” Annette observed. “We also discussed how the cultural times and social behaviors might have required a more stern, direct approach.” These discussions highlight how scripture speaks to us in new ways depending on our experiences and perspectives.

Engaging with the Challenges and Beauty of Scripture The deep engagement with scripture has led to rich conversations about its complexities. Groups have grappled with challenging themes, including the concept of “hate” and the relationship between Jesus and the devil. They have also explored the modern application of biblical laws and principles, from the Ten Commandments to the importance of the Sabbath. These reflections have allowed participants to connect scripture with their daily lives in meaningful ways.

Building Community and Connection One of the most beautiful outcomes of the Immerse experience has been the sense of community it fosters. Groups have embraced discussion and dialogue, finding that scripture truly meets them where they are. Marge Mynhier shared, “Our group has had some lively discussions. We have run out of time to cover the entire week!”

Even across different groups, unique discussions have flourished.

Annette reflected, “We have a member who has attended two book club meetings and has commented that our discussions are very different from the other group. This is proof that God’s word meets us where we are—it is a living guide for our life journey.”

Looking Ahead As our Immerse groups continue their journey through scripture, we look forward to the ways these conversations will deepen our faith and strengthen our community. Pastor Rich reflected: “A common thread throughout our discussions was how Jesus’ teachings aim to break down barriers and foster connection. This is such an important witness for the world we find ourselves in today so these conversations are more important than ever.”

Whether you’re a seasoned Bible reader or exploring scripture in a new way, Immerse offers an open and engaging space for growth, connection, and discovery. If you haven’t joined yet, find groups at https://lcrmarietta.org/immerse or watch for the next book experience launching later this year. 

Our Promise Garden: Growing Together, Giving Back

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LCR’s Promise Garden is a vital part of our community, impacting lives in so many ways. Preschoolers learn about growth and food, special needs adults from Circle of Friends gain confidence, and volunteers come together to plant, weed, and care for the garden. The fresh produce we grow is donated to the Sandy Springs Community Assistance Center’s Food Pantry, providing healthy options for families in need.

This winter, the garden may be quieter, but our team is preparing for an exciting group onion plant on Saturday, February 8, from 10 AM to noon, coinciding with the Recycling Event. Onion slips will be planted to grow bulb onions, a favorite among Food Pantry clients.

Everyone is welcome to join in! Bring warm clothes, gloves, and a helping hand. For more information or encouragement, contact Margaret Perry at margperry@bellsouth.net. Together, we can grow food, community, and hope!

An Afternoon of Chamber Music: Piano Trio Concert and Dedication

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The LCR Music Ministry is excited to invite you to a free concert of classical chamber music at 3:00 pm on Sunday, February 23, to dedicate our newly-acquired grand piano.

A piano trio, consisting of Andrew Uhe on violin, Tim Feverston on cello, and Julian Calvin on piano, will perform piano trios by Franz Joseph Haydn and Ludwig van Beethoven. Haydn’s Piano Trio No. 39 in G major, often referred to as the “Gypsy Rondo,” takes its nickname from the lively and spirited third movement, which features a rhythmic pattern and style reminiscent of traditional Hungarian folk dances.

The term “Gypsy” historically referred to the Romani people, an ethnic group with roots in India, but the word is now widely regarded as pejorative due to its association with stereotypes and discrimination. In Haydn’s time, the term was used to evoke the lively, free-spirited character of the music rather than to reference the Romani culture directly.

Beethoven’s Piano Trio in B-flat op. 97, “Archduke,” was dedicated to Archduke Rudolf of Austria, a patron and student of Beethoven and an amateur pianist. Unlike the Haydn trio, where the cello mostly doubles the piano’s bass line and the violin has few solo moments, the “Archduke” trio gives each instrument greater independence. Composed between 1810-1811, this trio was the last work that Beethoven performed in 1814; his deafness prevented him from playing in public thereafter, although he continued to compose until his death in 1827.

You won’t want to miss this afternoon of exciting music. We look forward to seeing you there!

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