Dear friends in Christ,

“The people are done with vigils.”  So Pastor Andy Nelson (Bethlehem
Lutheran Church, Ridgewood, New Jersey) describes the present emotional
state of his parishioners.  Eighteen people in Ridgewood were lost in the
World Trade Center.  “Everybody knows someone who died,” he said.  “Members
still go every week to work in downtown Manhattan, and are confronted
everyday by the tragedy.  But now there is a strong desire to move on, to
reach out in Christian love and service to sorrowing neighbors and friends.”

I've just returned from several days in New Jersey, where Lutheran Disaster
Response is responding to the September 11th terrorist attack on the World
Trade Center.  Many of the people killed that day were commuters from New
Jersey.  Accompanying me to several gatherings were Dr. Leon Phillips
(previous director of Lutheran Disaster Response) and Ms. Lynn Askew (LDR
Consultant).  Both will continue to work to strengthen and advise the New
Jersey response.

One can see visibly the emotional impact on individuals.  Pastor Paul
Kritzch (Redeemer Lutheran Church, Westfield) told how his preaching has
taken on a new dimension, and Biblical texts have deeper meaning and
strength.  Members in his community are feeling “tremendous grief,” and
people are wondering if they will every get back to a day when something
tragic isn’t happening.

The church is responding.

Lutheran Social Ministries of New Jersey (Roger Arnholt, Executive Director)
is managing the LDR New Jersey.  Working with Bishop Roy Riley (ELCA New
Jersey Synod) and President William Klettke (LCMS New Jersey District), an
LDR-NJ coordinator is being considered.  The coordinator will work with the
Synod and District leaders.  At a meeting with Bishop Riley and Pastor Otto
Reinbacher (President Klettke’s representative at our meeting), there was an
expressed “need to connect with communities and discover creative ways to
live out our faith.”    The coordinator will work directly with pastors and
rostered leaders, and represent LDR at VOAD and interfaith meetings.

Last week Dr. Gary Harbaugh, LDR pastoral caregiver, met with New Jersey
synod pastors to initiate a pastoral colleague support group program for
those affected by the 9/11disaster.   Dr. Jeff Kindler, LDR volunteer
psychologist, introduced the group to the way Critical Incident Stress
Debriefing has been helpful to other caregivers, and Dr. Harbaugh shared how
post-disaster colleague groups can provide significant support during the
recovery period."

There are some immediate and critical needs arising.  For many the airliner
crash in Queens on Monday peeled back the thin veneer of healing from their
hearts and souls.  The presence of anthrax makes something as simple as
opening mail an emotional challenge.  And the upcoming holidays will be
especially difficult for those who suffered loss.  Pastor Gladys Moore (New
Jersey Synod Staff) mentioned that congregations who are without pastors are
having a very tough time in finding comfort and consolation.

The church is challenged to discover the multitude of needs and to respond
creatively.  Pastor Phillips pointed out that “what we do is in the name of
Christ.  The church offers Christian hope.  The symbols of our faith are
powerful as we provide care for the caregivers and as we equip God’s people
to bring hope to their communities.  The real damage is not at Ground Zero –
it’s out where the people live.”

I left New Jersey yesterday afternoon with many minds and hearts busy
looking at how to equip the church to respond “out where the people live.”
The focus in on the impact of the coming holidays; on resources for children
and adolescents; on equipping pastors and lay leaders to deal with issues of
grief and anger and injustice.

Once more I thank God for the privilege of connecting the outpouring of love
from across the country to the desperate needs that continue to arise.

Thank you for your prayers which sustain those who have been affected and
for those who are responding in this widespread disaster.  The pastors
mentioned specifically that “prayer has been a help, knowing we’re not alone
in this.”

And thank you for your generosity, which enables the church to be active in
New Jersey, in New York, and in Washington D.C. – in these critical present
moments and for the years that lie ahead.

Yours in Christ,


GILBERT B. FURST (written on November 16, 2001, at 12:14 PM
  Director, ELCA Domestic Disaster Response (Division for Church in
Society),
  Lutheran Disaster Response (a cooperative ministry of the ELCA and LCMS)
  8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago 60631   PHONE: 773-380-2719  FAX:
773-380-2493
Visit our website:  www.elca.org/dcs/disaster