Update on California fires – Jan. 11, 2025
Dear friends in Christ,
Here is an update on the situation in Los Angeles from local Pastor Steve Gabb:
I was asked by our district president to send an update regarding the fires here in Los Angeles.
First of all, none of our WELS churches have been in any of the fire or evacuation zones. The congregation where I serve (Hope, on the west side of LA) is the closest to any of the fires, as we are located about 7 miles from Pacific Palisades. We aren’t downwind from the fire, so we haven’t been in any immediate danger. We have been downwind from the Eaton fire (Altadena, CA) about 20 miles away, which resulted in very poor air quality for a few days. We canceled school on Wednesday and Thursday, and were open in a limited capacity on Friday morning. Later in the day on Friday, the winds shifted and are now driving the Palisades fire east and north toward the Valley where St. John’s, Tarzana and St. Paul’s First, North Hollywood are located, but they are still not in a fire or evacuation zone. Pray that that continues to be the case.
As far as I know, no members of our WELS congregations have experienced significant loss. However, a number of connections we have here at Hope to preschool families (current and former) are experiencing significant loss, both in terms of homes and businesses.
As you can imagine, it’s been both chaotic and surreal, but nothing compared to those who are experiencing significant, if not total, loss. I have been in touch with Pastor Dan Sims (WELS Christian Aid & Relief) for how we can support those directly impacted by the fires. We are also looking for opportunities to mobilize our Hope members to serve in a variety of ways: 1) Distributing gift cards to victims (with financial support from Christian Aid & Relief); 2) Financial support for individual families connected to our church and/or school to recoup losses; 3) Provide temporary housing for displaced individuals or families; 4) Volunteers to help at donation centers. As of Friday afternoon, our church has partnered with a grass roots effort of Palisades High School parents, operating a donation center out of our church.
We have received inquiries from a number of WELS congregations for how to support to the effort. First of all, please pray. Pray for safety for those in the fire zones, and also for fire fighters and first responders. Pray that weather conditions become more favorable for gaining control of the fires (we’re expecting another increase in wind early next week). Pray that the fires would be fully contained sooner rather than later. Pray that this would allow for opportunities to share the Good News of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
In addition to prayer …
For congregations in the LA area: Let me know if you’d like to be notified of any ‘boots on the ground’ efforts we organize (e.g. volunteer at a donation or evacuation center). At this point, the Palisades HS group is the only effort we’re involved with, and this group already has enough volunteers. However, we may get involved with other groups in the upcoming days and weeks.
For those outside the LA area: Financial donations might be the best way to support the effort (see instructions below).
FYI: We are not taking collections of food or clothing because we’ve heard that many donation centers are already at capacity.
Thank you to those who have reached out to check in and/or to offer support and thank you for your prayers!
Blessings,
Steven Gabb
Hope Lutheran Church | Los Angeles, CA
To give a financial gift through WELS Christian aid and relief visit wels.net/cargift and designate your gift to Disaster Relief. You can also send a check to the following address:
WELS Christian Aid and Relief
N16W23377 Stone Ridge Drive
Waukesha, WI 53188
Thanks for all your prayers and support. It means the world to those who are hurting.
In Jesus our compassionate Savior,
Pastor Dan Sims
Director, WELS Christian Aid and Relief