To: [log in to unmask]
Dear friends in Christ,
Lutheran Disaster Response (the shared ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod) is responding to
the damage of nearly 100 tornadoes that pounded the Dakotas last weekend.
In South Dakota, in the small community of Oglala (on the Pine Ridge Indian
Reservation) 29 houses were destroyed and 56 houses sustained damage.
There was one fatality. The response will be managed by Lutheran Social
Services of South Dakota (James Barclay, President). Rose Kormann is
serving as coordinator. LDR will also work closely with the South Dakota
Synod (ELCA) and with the South Dakota District (LCMS) as they rally
members and congregations to provide support for the response efforts.
District President Vernon Schindler says that communications are still very
difficult, since phone lines are down. Pastor David Larson, SD Synod staff
member, reports that many children who were part of that area's Vacation
Bible School - and their families - are now homeless. Children's supplies
and quilts have already been distributed. Matching funds have been made
available by both Aid Association for Lutherans and Lutheran Brotherhood.
Orphan Grain Train is providing emergency food supplies.
In North Dakota, the village of Cavalier (north of Grand Forks) was struck
the next day by a "category 4" tornado. There were no deaths, but seven
elderly families lost their homes. There is also heavy agricultural loss.
The response will be managed by Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota
(Tony Ingle, President). Bonnie Turner is serving as coordinator. LDR
will also coordinate efforts with the Eastern North Dakota Synod (ELCA) and
with the North Dakota District (LCMS), as local members provide help with
clearing debris and providing repair assistance.
As I write this report, immediate needs and damages continue to be
assessed. Interfaith efforts are developing. At the moment it appears
that only local, self-contained volunteers can be utilized. Counseling
services will also be available for those whose lives have been affected by
these twisters. Emergency disaster grants are being provided as specific
needs are assessed.
You can help by sending contributions to
ELCA DOMESTIC Disaster Response - "Tornadoes"
P.O. Box # 71764
Chicago, Illinois 60694-1764.
Credit card gift line: 1-800-638-3522
LCMS World Relief
P.O. Box 66861
St. Louis, MO 63166-9810
Credit card gift line: 1-888-930-4438
Please remember and keep in your prayers our brothers and sisters in the
Dakotas whose lives have been affected by this latest run of natural
disaster.
In Christ,
Gil Furst
GILBERT B. FURST (written on Wed, Jun 9, 1999, at 1:14 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
|