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Dear Christian friends,

Lutheran Disaster Response, a cooperative ministry of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
(LCMS), is participating in recovery efforts in Xenia, Ohio, after a
tornado and severe storms struck there on September 20. Present
assessments indicate more than 266 houses were affected, with 60 totally
destroyed. There is an estimated $20 million of damage in the county.
There was one fatality.

James Bosse, LDR disaster coordinator for Lutheran Social Services of the
Miami Valley (William Serr, President), has been working closely with the
Southern Ohio Synod (ELCA) and Ohio District (LCMS) to manage the LDR
response. LDR is cooperating in the interfaith "Long Term Recovery
Committee," which also has representation from First Lutheran Church and
representatives of COLA (a coalition of Ohio Lutheran social ministry
organizations).

LDR will provide the Long Term Recovery Committee with funding for a
fulltime case manager, who will be employed to assess the individual needs
of the disaster survivors and coordinate resources.

In 1974 a tornado in Xenia killed thirty-three people and destroyed 300
homes. This new disaster not only has caused new challenges and
difficulties, but for many residents it has revitalized 26-year-old
sorrows.

Please remember in your prayers those who are recovering from this recent
storm and its terrible aftermath, that God will provide continuing support
and strength to the survivors and to those who are reaching out to offer
help and hope.

In Christ,
Gil Furst


GILBERT B. FURST (written on Tue, Oct 17, 2000,11:09 am). 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