This past year was very busy and active for Adventist Community Services Disaster Response (ACS DR) in the Lake Union. As the Lake Union Herald has reported, many of our members participated in the Gulf States relief efforts after the onslaught of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Teams from every Lake Union conference assisted in some way and made it possible for ACS DR to make a major impact in helping the survivors pick up and move on with their lives. Some teams traveled into the disaster areas, and others helped here at home by assisting with all levels of the response.

On top of that, our best estimate is that $400,000 was raised by our combined conferences directly for the relief effort. This money was converted to at least ten truck loads of urgently-needed supplies that were sent to our warehouses and distribution centers in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. The remainder of the money is being used for ongoing support efforts to reestablish survivors in their homes and communities.

In appreciation for the help provided by members across the country, the North American Division (NAD) presented Service Awards to those unions who assisted with the hurricane response. An award for the Lake Union was presented at the bi-annual Adventist Community Services Convention this past October in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

The Lake Union is not sitting around waiting for the next disaster event. All the recent activity has generated a lot of interest in ACS DR. Many have taken advantage of training opportunities in various locations to build their skill levels, so when the next event occurs they are ready to help those in need.

In April 2006, about 65 individuals from the Lake Region and Michigan conferences met for a retreat and training weekend at Michigan’s camp meeting site in Cedar Lake. Indiana, Wisconsin, and the Lake Region have held other training weekends, as well.

In response to the interest, and because many more volunteers are needed for ACS DR, the Lake Union announces a Summit and training weekend at Andrews University the weekend of February 16–18. Joe Watts, NAD ACS DR coordinator, will be the keynote speaker. He has a rich history in disaster response ministry, having led the Southeastern Union’s ACS DR for several years. He and his wife Sheryl head the Disaster Response Depot in Keene, Texas. Joe Watts accepted his current position as NAD ACS DR coordinator right at the time Hurricane Katrina stormed across the Gulf of Mexico.

Planned for the Summit are several training activities, a list of which follows:

Disaster Preparation for Individuals, Families, and Churches

Basic Donations Management for ACS DR Volunteers

These first two classes will be based on the new, revised manual currently in the final stages of development. The step training process (Steps 1–5) are being totally revamped into two segments: Basic and Advanced, with the Basic training for all volunteers, and Advanced being available for those who want to become leaders or who want to specialize in the various areas of ACS Disaster Response.

Forklift Driver Certification

Mobile Kitchen Operations

Chainsaw Response Team Operations

Ham Radio and Communications Team Building

Taking ACS into the 21st Century

Along with other great seminars

The Summit weekend was planned by leaders from each of the Lake Union conferences: Floyd Brock, Wisconsin; Fred Crowell, Illinois; Ralph Shelton (interim leader), Lake Region; Jose Vazquez, Indiana; Diana Bruch, Michigan ACS; and Royce Snyman, Lake Union ACS DR coordinator.

Registration for the weekend is handled by Cindy Stephan at the Michigan Conference office. Call Cindy at 517-316-1581 for more information, or e-mail her at: cstephan@misda.org. The early bird registration fee is $30, which includes lunch and supper on Sabbath. The registration deadline is February 1. The registration fee after the deadline is $50.

Participants must arrange for their own housing and food by calling Andrews University Guest Services at 269-471-3664, or contact area hotels. Cindy Stephan can assist you with a list of housing options.

Food, other than lunch and supper on Sabbath, will be available for purchase by calling Andrews University Guest Services or at other local food establishments.

So, please mark your calendars for this eventful weekend. Hope to see you there!

Royce Snyman, Lake Union Conference Adventist Community Services Disaster Response coordinator