Bethlehem Lutheran Church service project recognizes emergency responders

Members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Grand Marais took time on Sunday, September 11 to show appreciation to local First Responders, by tidying up the area around the Search and Rescue building, clearing small trees and vegetation away. The service day marked the 15th anniversary of the 9-11 tragedy.

On Sunday, September 11, members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Grand Marais participated in a service project in recognition of the 15th anniversary of the 9-11 tragedy.

Eighteen church members went to the Search and Rescue facility behind Cook County Law Enforcement to show gratitude for our First Responders.

All across the United States on Sunday, many members of the over 9,000 congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) got out in service, many applying their hours on behalf of emergency services and first responders.

The ELCA calls this annual second Sunday in September event “God’s Work, Our Hands” Sunday. This year it had special meaning because of 9-11.

“The world can be a dangerous place. But there are some who, when disaster strikes, run toward the danger. These are the first responders, firefighters, police and EMTs, who live out their baptismal vocation in service to their communities in times of intense need. They do God’s work with their hands,” said ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton

The Bethlehem Lutheran Church project included removing small trees that were growing too close to the building, removing invasive species, (tansy and spotted knapweed) and pushing vegetation away from the building to prepare the space for projects that may utilize that area.

Jim Wiinanen and Kyle Oberg, members of Bethlehem and also part of the emergency management and response teams of Cook County were the organizers and leaders of this effort. Rebecca Wiinanen and Theresa Oberg directed the effective removal of the invasive plants.

“It was a beautiful day and an enthusiastic team,” said Pastor Mark Ditmanson. “We just wanted to say thank you to our many friends who are part of the dedicated response when emergencies strike.”