Fox Valley Disaster Relief Updates - September 2nd
Worship with the Neenah Area ELCA Congregations.
An annual tradition each Labor Day weekend, the Neenah ELCA congregations will be worshiping together on Sunday, September 6 at 9:30 am. Because of the tornado damage at Smith Park, this year they will worship outside at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Neenah (1140 Tullar Road). Gloria Dei is providing a big tent for worship and those attending are invited to bring a lawn chair. The congregations share,
“Loose offering from this worship service will be given to East Central Synod of Wisconsin – ELCA Tornado Relief Fund. The offering will be set aside within that fund to purchase trees to replace some of the trees lost in the tornado. Our Neenah ELCA congregations will have a joint project in the spring of 2027 to plant these trees.”
Some have wondered about how our friends at St. Timothy in Menasha are faring. Their church building sustained significant damage in the July 27 tornado, including the collapse of the steeple, roof damage, damage to the handicapped entry ramp and railing, and the loss of a beloved maple tree.
St. Timothy in Menasha, following the Tornado on July 27th.
Leaders of the congregation recently shared they are working with Miron Construction and Church Mutual to assess the damage and develop a plan to rebuild the steeple and repair the remaining damage. While insurance will cover much of the cost, the congregation faces a $98,360 insurance deductible—an unexpected expense that was not part of the church’s 2026 Spending Plan. If you feel so moved, we invite you to share generously as we continue to support neighbors with recovery.
To give directly to St. Timothy:
Please make checks payable to St. Timothy Lutheran Church and write “Tornado Recovery” in the memo line. Checks may be mailed to:
St. Timothy Lutheran Church
126 Cherry St.
Menasha, WI 54952
You can also support the wider disaster response through the East Central Synod of Wisconsin. Gifts to the synod’s Local Disaster Relief Fund will help communities and congregations throughout the Fox Valley continue their recovery. 50% of these gifts are being shared with local ministry partners and nonprofits serving neighbors impacted by the tornado, and 50% will be shared with local congregations in the disaster area for recovery-related needs and ministry.
To Give through The ECSW "Local Disaster Relief" Fund
Visit ecsw.org - select “Local Disaster Relief.” You may also mail a check payable to East Central Synod of Wisconsin with “Local Disaster Relief” in the memo line to:
East Central Synod of Wisconsin
PO Box 10385
Green Bay, WI 54307
Whether you give directly to St. Timothy or through the synod’s disaster response fund, your generosity is a tangible way to be Christ together with our neighbors as they rebuild. Thank you for what you have shared or might be moved to share and thank you for your ongoing prayers as our neighbors continue to recover.
Give. Serve. Learn. Pray. Receive Support.
Give. The city of Menasha has expressed that they are at capacity for in-kind donations. Money continues to be the very best way to support recovery. There are many ways to give…
You can give through the East Central Synod of Wisconsin’s “Local Disaster Relief” fund online or by mailing a check indication that purpose: PO Box 10385 Green Bay, WI 54307.
You can give to Lutheran Disaster Response using their bulletin insert information or by sharing their giving link.
You can look for a local organization like United Way Fox Cities and donate directly.
Serve. The municipalities have asked people to not self deploy.
Volunteer Fox Cities is currently organizing and deploying volunteers where there is need.
Notes for Neighbors: A Tornado Recovery Kindness Project is a way to share a word of encouragement in communities hit the hardest.
St. Paul Lutheran Church in Neenah invites you to help them feed the volunteers from Rapid Response America as they will be hosted by St. Paul’s for 1-2 months. Here is a link with more information where you can sign up to help.
Learn. Lutheran Disaster response hosted a webinar, “Introduction to Disaster Response” on Thursday, 8/6 - a link to the recording may be found here.
Lutheran Disaster Response Training and Engagement Catalog and online learning platform share considerable resources for individuals and congregations to engage in learning and disaster preparedness. A Congregational Disaster Preparedness Guide is also available.
Pray. Entrust those who have been impacted the most into God’s care. Pray for them to be sustained in the longer journey of recovery. Pray for children to find safe places to play. Pray and individuals working to find temporary housing. Pray for people experiencing trauma from this event.
Support: Disaster Distress Helpline, a 24/7 hotline to talk with a trained counselor: 1.800.985.5990. It’s multilingual, confidential and free.
