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1331 (of 1331) LEON PHILLIPS Oct. 22, 1997 at 22:41 Eastern (2698
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Tonight I had dinner with Steve Hogberg and his wife, Betsy, in Fargo. He
is president of "Caring Program for Children," a North Dakota Blue
Cross/Blue Shield program that provides health insurance for children from
families who can't afford it. When I last saw Steve he was a tall, skinny
intern in the Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania..... and was putting up
wallboard in my own home in Wilkes-Barre, after flood waters made their way
half way up the third floor steps. We talked not only of those days, but of
the problems and challenges that are all so real here in the Upper Midwest
six months after last Spring's record flooding.

For the past two days Gil Furst and I have been meeting with pastors, here
in North Dakota, Northwest Minnesota and in South Dakota. I have heard how
different their ministries continue to be, how weary people are, and how
much anxiety there is about the coming winter. The flood is still taking
its toll. "There were no drownings in this flood, but there are deaths"
one pastor said as he described his own parish situation.

Yet with all this, the rebuilding work goes on. Not merely of homes, but
of lives. There are truly wonderful plans underway for the holiday season,
when it will be especially important to speak and to live out the hope of
our Lord's coming. Family "Christmas Dinners" are being planned between
Thanksgiving and December 15 at thirtyone separate sites! Volunteers are
being recruited to serve the meals and clean up, so NOBODY in each of these
communities will have to do that. Gifts and decorations are being sought,
and received at a warehouse in Fargo. LB and AAL branches, WELCA groups,
congregations are helping to make it all possible. It will be an evening of
eating together, singing, fellowship,and a surprise gift. In cities, small
towns and countryside.... a total of 21,000 people will be invited ! If
you can support this wonderful effort... as a volunteer, if you're close
enough, or if you have gifts to send, or if you can contribute, call the
Upper Midwest local "800 number" and let them know: 800-987-0061.

"You don't know what it has meant to our people... to feel the support and
love of all these folks, from all over the church," one pastor said today.
It sustains people in their weariness. It brings hope in the place of
despair. It helps us understand that we really ARE the Body of Christ.


LEON PHILLIPS 10:07 pm Wed, Oct 22, 1997
Director, ELCA Domestic Disaster Response( Division for Church in Society),
Lutheran Disaster Response ( a cooperative ministry of ELCA and LCMS)
Phone: 610-776-8390 FAX: 610-776-8392
e-mail:[log in to unmask] WEBSITE http://www.elca.org/dcs/disaster