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Dear friends in Christ,

"Be still, and know that I am God" (Ps. 46:10).  I am writing to you today,
September 12, from New York City.  It have been privileged privilege to be
present in New York these last five days, to accompany our brothers and
sisters in Christ here as our country commemorates the 9/11/01 terrorist
attacks.  In the course of this week God's presence has been strongly felt.
I want to share some of my spiritual journey of this week, and to thank you
on behalf of so many affected people for what your prayers and generosity
are making possible.

This is a week of worship, prayers, and commemorative gatherings across the
country.  I worshipped with the Metro New York Synod (ELCA) in a beautiful
liturgical service at St. Peters Lutheran Church, Manhattan.  I was part of
a simple and heartfelt congregational service at St. Peter's Lutheran
Church (LCMS), Brooklyn.  I participated in a meaningful worship and
reflection gathering of 100 staff and family members of Lutheran Social
Services of Metropolitan New York.  I attended an inspiring "Service of
Remembering" at the Interchurch Center on Riverside Drive.  On 9/11 I was
in the cathedral of St. John the Divine as bells started tolling at 8:47
a.m. and names of the dead were slowly read.

As people took time from the hectic pace of everyday life to gather in the
stillness of worship and prayer, the presence of God was known.  Bishop
Stephen Bouman (Metro New York Synod) reminded us that "The Lord of hosts
is with us, the God of Jacob is our stronghold."   The Rev. David Benke
(St. Peter Church, Brooklyn) recalled being in his church last year as
people covered with ash, crying, bleeding, trembling picked up their
children at the church's day care center.  Chris Connell (LSS-MNY staff)
reflected on September 11, 2001, her first day on the job.  The second
plane hit as she came out of the subway.  A piece of the jet engine hit the
roof of LSS, and the staff fled to St. John's Lutheran Church, 30 blocks
away, as a place of refuge.  "It's not a day that will go away," she said.

My dear friends, I could share a hundred such reflections with you.  But my
intention is first and foremost to thank you on behalf of the thousands of
people in New York, New Jersey, and Washington D.C.  Your prayers and
generosity enable Lutheran Disaster Response, the cooperative ministry of
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The Lutheran Church-Missouri
Synod, to provide sustaining ministry, help and hope, to those directly
impacted by last year's attacks.  We have moved through the first year with
many creative and innovative ministries.  Yet in many ways our church's
ministries have just begun.  Spiritual and emotional support is needed for
care providers.  I learned that two pastors have already left
congregations.  Marlene Lund, Lutheran Schools Association, said one school
administrator has quit, and teachers are under extreme stress.  In New York
City alone, LDR-New York has 135 specific programmatic elements.  Project
LIFE helps hundreds of people connect to the myriad of available help and
benefits and to public assistance.  This summer New Ground day camps helped
hundreds of children in New York and New Jersey process their feelings and
emotions in the context of the Biblical story of Joseph.  There are 21,000
students in Lutheran parochial schools.  Tuition assistance is available to
children of parents who have lost jobs.  For this school year there are
$100,000 worth of scholarship requests.

Again, I could share hundreds of examples of how your prayers and
generosity are making a significant witness to the love of God through
Jesus Christ.  But there is one more I want to tell you.

Yesterday morning, September 11, families of those who died at the World
Trade Center gathered at "Ground Zero" as each of the 2,801 victims was
named by family members, rescue workers, and elected officials.  The
ceremony took 2 1/2 hours.  Late in the afternoon they had personal time
with President and Mrs. Bush.  From 2-4:00 p.m Lutheran Disaster
Response-New York, which works directly with the "September 11th Widows and
Victims' Families Association," provided lunch and a safe haven for family
members.  They gathered behind closed doors, away from crowds and
reporters.  John Scibilia, coordinator for LDR-NY, observed that "because
of LDR these family members will have lunch together for the first time.
For many of them it is their first visit to the World Trade Center site.
Because of LDR, they will have this quite time, and God's grace and
presence will minister to their pains."  Jennifer Adams, who lost a loved
one in the attack, is the director of this association.  She asked me to
thank you.  "This is perfect," she said, "this is helpful."  I saw hundreds
of family members hugging, crying, smiling, showing photos of lost loved
ones, eating together.  There were elderly folks, young women, small
children, together in a safe and still place.  Former New York mayor Rudy
Giuliani was present, talking with the families, with older couples, with
widows, with children.  As he spoke to John and me, he expressed
appreciation for the ministry provided in New York by Lutherans, by you.
After most people left to get ready to met the President, a man named Jack
walked over.  He lost two sons in the towers.  He gave John Scibilia and me
a huge hug.  As he forced back tears he expressed thanks to LDR - - to you
- - for providing this special quite time together.

"Be still, and know that I am God."  This has been an incredible week for
all of us.  Much ministry has been put in  motion this year.  Much more
awaits to be done.  God is here, God's people the church are here.  And
because of your generosity, the church will be here for the long haul,
providing compassion, help, and hope in the name of Jesus Christ.

Yours in Christ,
Gil Furst


GILBERT B. FURST (written on Thu, Sep 12, 2002, 1:32 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 websites:  www.led.org     www.elca.org/dcs/disaster