To: [log in to unmask]
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
"I hate tornadoes-I truly do." This is how Pastor Terri Stagner, associate
pastor of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Norcross, Georgia, feels about
destructive forces that have affected her life. A tornado killed her best
friend in Huntsville nine years ago. And a month ago, in the series of
tornadoes that tore through Alabama and Georgia, over 5,000 homes were
damaged or destroyed in the outskirts of Atlanta where the congregation she
serves is located.
Last week I traveled through some of the affected communities with Richard
Roberts, our Lutheran Disaster Response coordinator, and Pastor Gene
Thiemann, a member of our Lutheran Disaster Response team. As we walked
and drove through Peachtree Corners, Cedar Corners, Lockridge Forest, and
Winters Chapel, the scene was one of damage and devastation. Trees were
snapped off 20 feet above the ground. Tarps covered roofs of houses that
were not destroyed. Chain saws were growling all around us, as large tree
trunks were cut into segments. Front loaders scooped up remains of houses
and dumped debris into bins.
Pastor Stagner, and her colleague, Pastor Gary Christensen, told me of
children who become frightened when thunderstorms crash overhead. "Is this
another tornado, Mommy? Will we be ok?" One member described how he and
his wife were lifted off their beds by changes in atmospheric pressure.
Another spoke of the deafening roar, the sound of furniture smashing in
their house, the darkness, the terror.
"I hate tornadoes-I truly do." But as Pastor Stagner reflects on the chaos
and confusion of the tornado, she also reflects on the chaos and confusion
of other people who watched their savior die on the cross...and of new
life, of victory over death, in the resurrection. "Resurrection happened
here as well," Pastor Stagner notes. "All around us, the roof is gone, the
furniture ruined, homes will be demolished-but still, resurrection
happened." Resurrection is happening in calls of help, in volunteers
coming to clean up, in food and coffee delivered, in hugs of concern.
Lutheran Disaster Response is here in the Atlanta area, continuing the
resurrection miracle of hope and new life for the survivors of this
tornado. LDR has established a response, managed by Lutheran Ministries of
Georgia. An office has been set up in Christ the King Church, and Richard
Roberts has been named local coordinator. The Southeastern Synod will help
in the recruitment of local volunteers and receiving contributions from
within the synod.
As Pastor Thiemann and Dick Roberts stood in front of the steeple cross of
Christ the King (a cross blown down and replanted in the ground), they
looked at a map of the communities affected by this Georgia tornado. It
occurred to me that you and I, Lutheran brothers and sisters, continue to
make resurrection happen here. You can help the response of hope and help
continue in Georgia.
TO VOLUNTEER: Self-contained volunteers are needed. Call Dick Roberts at
the LDR/LMG office at 1.770.449.1211.
TO CONTRIBUTE: ELCA Domestic Disaster Response
O Box 71764Chicago, IL 60694-1764
Thank you for your resurrection response. Your prayers will sustain those
who have lost their homes and possessions . Your volunteering will bring
on-site assistance. And your contributions will provide direct grants,
pastoral care, and counseling. Christ is risen indeed!
In Christ,
Gil Furst
GILBERT B. FURST (written on Tue, May 5, 1998, at 2:20 pm)
Associate Director, ELCA Domestic Disaster Response
Internet address: [log in to unmask]
For more information, click on our web site: www.elca.org/dcs/disaster
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