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Dear friends in Christ,
ELCA Domestic Disaster Response and Lutheran Disaster Response (a
cooperative ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod) are responding to three tornadoes that
struck with ferocity recently in four rural southwest Georgia counties.
Lutheran Ministries of Georgia, whose president, Pastor Gary Danielsen, has
already begun assessment and response, will manage efforts. Gary reports
that more than 260 homes were destroyed and 131 had major damage (the
majority were mobile homes). The 10-mile-wide tornadoes claimed the lives
of 22 people and injured hundreds of people.
Lutheran Disaster Response will work closely with the ELCA Southeastern
Synod (Ron Warren, Bishop) and with the LCMS Florida-Georgia District
(Gerhard Michael, President) as they rally members and congregations to the
response efforts, and to provide other support. Local volunteers and
relief efforts are being coordinated with an interfaith recovery network
In other parts of the country, LDR continues the church's commitment to
bring help and hope to disaster survivors over the long haul.
> In North Carolina, $179,000 was distributed this week in grants and
materials to people who were affected by Hurricane Floyd in September 1999.
> In New Jersey, Lutheran Social Ministries of New Jersey is providing free
counseling for those affected by Hurricane Floyd.
> In Littleton, Colorado, spiritual and emotional support is being arranged
as that community approaches the first-year anniversary of the
school-shooting massacre.
> In Owensboro, Kentucky, interfaith efforts continue to bring volunteers
and service to tornado survivors.
> In Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and in Wichita, Kansas, outreach continues to
people who experienced the worst tornado in U.S. history. In addition to
on-going rebuilding and counseling, "Camp Noah" - a special resource for
children who have experienced disasters - is planned for this summer.
> In St. Croix, the Virgin Islands, ELCA Domestic Disaster Response is
piloting a project to prepare individuals, houses, and church leaders for
the approaching hurricane season
Sometimes people wonder about so much destruction and devastation. We are
constantly reminded that we live in an imperfect world in which we have
little control. But we are also reminded that ultimately God is in
control, and works through those who respond to need with prayers,
contributions, and hands-on service. Please continue to pray for those
whose lives are forever changed because of the chaos and loss of natural
disasters. And pray, too, for those who are responding, that they may be
strengthened in their ministries.
You can help with the on-going efforts and in immediate response to new
disasters by your generous gifts. Please send your contributions to:
ELCA DOMESTIC Disaster Response
PO Box 71764
Chicago, Illinois 60694-1764
Credit card gift line: 1-800-638-3522
LC-MS World Relief
P.O. Box 66861
St. Louis, MO 63166-9810
Credit card gift line: 1-888-930-4438
In Christ,
Gil Furst
GILBERT B. FURST (written on Fri, Mar 3, 2000,12:35 pm). Director for
ELCA DOMESTIC DISASTER RESPONSE (Division for Church in Society) 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 website: www.elca.org/dcs/disaster
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