Dear friends in Christ,
In Ecclesiastes 3:1 are the familiar words, "For everything there is a
season, and a time for every matter under heaven."
Persons interested in disaster responses know that certain disasters
have "seasons." For example: hurricanes (June through November),
tornadoes (March to July), spring floods, etc. Disasters often occur
when seasons change.
We are now in transition from late winter into early spring. Early
disasters have already occurred in Texas, New Mexico, Massachusetts,
North Dakota, and Wisconsin. Lutheran Disaster Response (a cooperative
ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The Lutheran
Church-Missouri Synod) awaits damage assessments from local
coordinators.
In the "between" times, between winter and spring, LDR has been busy
bringing people together. Here is some information about recent
gatherings to strengthen LDR's ability to respond if and when disasters
occur:
1. I met with Lutheran Social Services of Northern California's new
president, Barbara Droher Kline, and disaster coordinator, Helen
Knudson, to provide additional training to continue that agency's
capacity to respond to northern California disasters.
2. I participated in Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota (Mark
Peterson, president) "Early Responder Training." Led by LDR-MN
coordinator (Melanie Josephson) and staff, this event enabled pastors
and response partners learn new ways of working together.
3. I met with the revitalized LDR Missouri Team, coordinated by
Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri (Alan Erdman,
president). Leadership for disaster responses passed from Larry
Gustafson to Jim Eckrich. This statewide gathering of pastors and lay
leaders gave LDR-MO opportunity to strengthen its internal network as
well as interface with state government and interfaith partners.
4. A disaster site visit to southern California fires enabled
conversation with Lutheran Social Services in California (John Clawson,
president) staff. LDR coordinator leadership passed from Andrea Muir to
Kevin Walton. Kevin served as LDR coordinator in the Durango, Colorado,
fires.
5. I presented two addresses in Connecticut, where New England pastors
and lay leaders gathered for disaster response and world hunger
workshops. Lutheran Social Services of New England (Edith Lohr,
president) led workshops and guided discussions.
6. Ruth Reko (Lutheran Social Services in America) and I led met with
synod, district, and agency staff in Salisbury, North Carolina.
Lutheran Family Services in the Carolinas (Suzanne Wise, president),
Bishop Leonard Bolick (NC Synod), Sister Sally Hiller (Southeastern
District), Ron Rau (agency staff), George Strunk, LDR-NC
Coordinator),Heather Feldman (LDR-SC coordinator), Ginny Holmquist
(Thrivent Financial for Lutherans), Charles Moeller (Church World
Service) were among those gathered to improve coordinated responses in
North and South Carolina.
7. Ruth Reko and I traveled to Bedford, Pennsylvania, to meet with
representatives from the Eastern District, Southwest PA, Southeast PA,
and Allegheny Synods, Janet Panning (LDR-SWPa coordinator, with Liberty
Lutheran Services, Bill Erat, president), and other pastors and staff
members. One major outcome of gathering is the first step in putting
together a coordinated statewide system for LDR in Pennsylvania.
8. Last week an ELCA and LCMS meeting was held. Attending: Matthew
Harrison (executive director of LCMS World Relief and Human Care), Marie
Kienker (deputy director of LCMS World Relief and Human Care), Rebecca
Larson (executive director of ELCA Division for Church in Society), Ruth
Reko (Lutheran Services in America), and myself. The goal was to
reassess new strategic directions, to explore ways to continue,
strengthen, and enhance this cooperative inter-Lutheran ministry. A
commitment was made to reaffirm and strengthen LDR as a way members of
both Lutheran church bodies can work together in bringing help and hope
to disaster survivors.
9. A national LDR meeting is being planned for the end of June. This
gathering will bring together agency presidents, disaster coordinators,
and interfaith partners from across the country for training and
networking.
This report is long on names and meetings - not very sensational - but
pointing out that one of LDR's "seasons" is preparation and
strengthening networks, involving many key leaders, both within our
Lutheran community and with our ecumenical partners.
Soon the country will head into the season of severe weather. Some
tornadoes, floods, and fires have already occurred. When disasters
strike this year, it is vital that the church be ready to respond in
effective and efficient ways. Ultimately, disaster response ministries
are your ministries. You enable the church to reach out with prayers,
financial support, and volunteers to disaster survivors, whether they
are in the next state or in your community. Thank you for your on-going
support!
Yours in Christ,
Gil Furst
Gilbert B. Furst (Written on 4/19/2004, at 4:00 PM) Director for
ELCA DOMESTIC DISASTER RESPONSE (ELCA) 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.ldr.org and www.elca.org/dcs/disaster
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