Fr. Lyndon Harris, Episcopal Diocese of New York, left, discusses disaster planning with the Rev. Mandy Derr, Saint Peter's Lutheran Church, Manhattan, and Dr. John J. Scibilia Jr.

Dozens of members of the Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) got together last week for their annual meeting. The group was hosted by Saint Peter's Lutheran Church, Manhattan, a member of the Metropolitan New York Synod, ELCA. The Rev. Mandy Derr, pastor of Saint Peter's, welcomed the group, saying that they were some of the most important people in New York City at this time. Dr. John J. Scibilia Jr., executive director of Lutheran Disaster Response of New York and a VOAD board member, also spoke, introducing the work of the newly formed New York Disaster Interfaith Services group. LDRNY was instrumental in helping the interfaith NYDIS get off the ground.

Ken Curtin, FEMA Voluntary Agency Liaison, had this to say: "Since VOAD only began in 1998, it's amazing to see how much has been done so far. Our next goal is to get ready to do what we need to do before disaster happens. That's only accomplished in what we do together."

From left, Ken Curtin, FEMA Voluntary Agency liaison; Ted Fisch, New York State OEM; and Max Green, New York City OEM.	Peter Gudaitis, executive director of New York Disaster Interfaith Services, far right, with other members of VOAD.

In Other News:	St. Paul's Chapel embraces its role in 9/11. Read the full article.
	Bishop Bouman's reflections on visiting Oklahoma City. Go to article.
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