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Dear friends in Christ,

Lutheran Disaster Response is responding to Hurricane Bonnie, even as that
storm continues to batter the central North Carolina coastline.  Relief
efforts are being coordinated through Lutheran Family Services in the
Carolinas (with Vice President Carl Miller managing our response), along
with the North Carolina Synod (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) and
the Southeastern District (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod).  We have sent
an initial grant of $15,000, which will be used to provide immediate
financial assistance to individuals.  On Saturday we will be meeting with
the pastors of the Wilmington and Kinston areas to share information, to
hear their reports, and to provide support for their ministry in this
stressful time.

As Bonnie (now downgraded to a tropical storm) moves slowly to the
northeast today and tomorrow, there is danger that as much as 16 inches of
additional rain could cause widespread flooding and raise water levels in
some areas up to 9 feet.  Due to the inclement weather, it has not been
possible to do a full assessment of the damage.  Initial contacts with
pastors indicate heavy rain and wind damage, flooding and beach erosion,
and as many as 300,000 persons without electricity.  The blessing is there
have been no fatalities.

You can help by your prayers of support for those whose spirits are fragile
because of this storm.  Your prayers are as powerful as any hurricane
winds.

You can help by volunteering for the major cleanup that will be needed.  We
will keep you posted as soon as we have information on when and how
volunteers will be helpful.

You can help by sending contributions to:

    ELCA Domestic Disaster Response Fund - "Hurricanes"
    P.O. Box # 71764
    Chicago, Illinois 60694-1764.

This has been an extraordinary year of suffering for so many people in so
many places.  This hurricane is the 26th disaster to which our church has
responded this year.  But we are people of hope, and we worship a
resurrected Lord who is always present with his people.  Those who suffer
will be supported by his grace.  Those who respond will be his enfolding
arms and healing hands.

In Christ,
Gil Furst


GILBERT B. FURST  (written on Thu, Aug 27, 1998, at 12:47 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: 773-380-2822  FAX: 773-380-2493
Visit our website:  www.elca.org/dcs/disaster