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Dear friends in Christ,

Lutheran Disaster Response (a cooperative ministry of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod) is
responding to a category 3 tornado that struck in Owensboro, Kentucky on
Monday, January 3.  Initial assessments indicate 111 homes were destroyed
and more than 250 severely damaged.  8,000 homes are without electricity.
There were no fatalities.

LDR is working closely with the Indiana-Kentucky ELCA Synod (Rev. James
Stuck, Bishop) and with the Indiana LCMS District (Rev. Timothy Sims,
District President), as they bring together members and congregations to
provide support for the response.  Locally, LDR is responding through Peace
Lutheran Church (LCMS) and Faith Lutheran Church (ELCA), which are serving
as distribution points for food and emergency needs.  I have sent both
congregations emergency cash grants to undergird their outreach in the
community.

As I write this initial report, immediate needs and damages continue to be
assessed.  Help will be needed for cleanup repairs.  LDR will participate
in interfaith efforts as they are organized.

You can help by sending contributions to

    ELCA DOMESTIC Disaster Response - "Tornadoes"
    P.O. Box # 71764
    Chicago, Illinois 60694-1764.

        Credit card gift line: 1-800-638-3522


    LC-MS World Relief
    P.O. Box 66861
    St. Louis, MO 63166-9810

        Credit card gift line: 1-888-930-4438

Please hold in your prayers our brothers and sisters in Kentucky whose
lives have been affected by this rare January tornado.

In Christ,
Gil Furst

GILBERT B. FURST (written on Wed, Jan  5, 2000,  4:13 pm).    Director for
  ELCA DOMESTIC DISASTER RESPONSE (Division for Church in Society) and
  LUTHERAN DISASTER RESPONSE (a cooperative ministry of the ELCA and LC-MS)
  8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago 60631  PHONE: 773-380-2822 FAX: 773-380-2493
Please visit our website:  www.elca.org/dcs/disaster