Dear friends in Christ,

I've just returned this afternoon from Washington D.C., where Lutheran
Disaster Response is responding to the September 11th terrorist attack on
the Pentagon.  The issues in D.C. are at the same time different and similar
to those in New York City and New Jersey.

There is high emotional impact on individuals.  I heard D.C. people tell me
(as have New Yorkers) "they feel as though they have a target printed on
their backs."  There has been loss of life, loss of neighbors and
colleagues, loss of jobs and income.  School children in Lutheran schools
heard the plane crash into the Pentagon, heard the sirens, saw the smoke.
The church is responding.

Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (Mark Cooper,
Executive Director) is managing the LDR Washington D.C. response.  We have
named the Rev. David L. Pearcy to serve as LDR-DC coordinator.  Among his
responsibilities are coordination of the church's response with the ELCA
Metropolitan D.C. Synod (Ted Schneider, Bishop) and LCMS Southeastern
District (ELCA Synod (Art Scherer, President).  He will work directly with
pastors and rostered leaders.  He will also provide an LDR presence at VOAD
and interfaith meetings.  In addition, "September 11th" ministries of the
Community Family Life Services (Tom Knoll, Executive Director) will be
coordinated.  As in New York, this disaster continues to unfold, and the
full impact has yet to be felt.

Earlier this week I requested our second round of grants, totaling $419,300.
 Many of you are asking "How much have you received" and "How are our
donations being used."  When I left for D.C. on Tuesday I was told our ELCA
receipts were approaching $3 million dollars.  With the grants this week,
the total grant amount from LDR (the cooperative ministry of the ELCA and
LCMS) has been $894,000.  Never have so many dollars come in so quickly for
a disaster response.  Never have so many dollars been spent in two months
for any church disaster response.  The church is committed to good
stewardship and using good judgment in the disbursal of contributions.  I
believe the church will be present and responding to the September 11th
attacks for at least ten years, if not for an entire generation.

Here are some details on the latest grants:

>> "Camp Noah," a week-long day camp for children traumatized by disasters,
is being prepared and revised for use in urban settings.  Initial
organization and operational expenses are being covered.

>> Assistance was sent to "House of Hope, which is providing counseling and
child grief events

>> Funds are enabling Anna Eissfeldt and Pastor Rick Armstrong, "God's Care
in Time of Crisis" staff, to continue their work through the Lutheran
schools systems.  A conference was held for 300-400 Lutheran teachers this
week, including individual and group counseling.  Ten local counselors were
trained to work on the scene.  In addition, $15,000 has been designated to
provide tuition assistance for families who have lose employment and income
due to the 9/11 events.

>> Direct funding is being provided for President David Benke (LCMS Atlantic
District) and Bishop Stephen Bouman (ELCA Metro New York Synod) to work with
the day-to-day emergencies they see in their congregations and communities.
They are enabled to respond directly to these needs as they arise.

>> Assistance is designated for the church to minister to immigrants and
undocumented workers, some of the "silent victims" of the attacks.

>> "Seed grants" are designated to enable Church World service to establish
and develop interfaith networks/organizations in New York City, New Jersey,
and Washington D.C.

>> Support is given to develop "Interfaith Trauma Response Teams" in the New
York City area.  These will help train religious leaders and groups of
clergy for trauma and grief ministries.  Monthly sessions are being planed
for the next three years.

>> Many of you have offered your services as counselors.  LDR has made funds
available to enable LDR and Church World Service to link qualified
counselors who are experienced and credentialed with communities of need.

It is a privilege for me to connect the outpouring of love from our church
across the country to the desperate needs that continue to arise.  Your
prayers continue to sustain those who have been affected and for those who
are responding in this widespread disaster.  And your generosity is enabling
the church to be active now and for the years that stretch ahead.

ELCA DOMESTIC Disaster Response - "September 11: Comfort and Renew"
PO Box 71764 Chicago, Illinois 60694-1764
   Credit card gift line: 1-800-638-3522
   Credit card gifts via the web: www.elca.org/disaster;

LC-MS World Relief - "September 11: Comfort and Renew"
P.O. Box 66861
St. Louis, MO 63166-9810
   Credit card gift line: 1-888-930-4438.

100% of your designated contributions will be used in this response.

Yours in Christ,
Gil Furst

Gilbert B. Furst  (Written on 11/09/01, at 3:36 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