Friends in Christ
Disaster work is known by stages. As the incident or event takes place, the
emergency phase ensues. This phase is about rescuing life; generally it is
the shortest - minutes to hours (though the bigger the disaster, the longer
this stage). Then we come to relief, about securing infrastructure, and it
is here where our response to Isabel still dwells. It is only now, almost a
month since Hurricane Isabel made landfall, that we coming out of the relief
stage.
Lutheran Disaster Response (the cooperative ministry of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod for
domestic disasters) is working hand in hand with our Lutheran judicatories
and social ministry organizations throughout the impacted area along with
fellow voluntary agencies to receive needs and coordinate resources.
Federal disaster declarations have been issued for North Carolina, Virginia,
Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia.
Presently the focus is taking shape for the Lutheran responses in North
Carolina (Lutheran Family Services of the Carolinas, NC Synod - ELCA, and SE
District - LCMS), Virginia (Lutheran Family Services of VA, VA Synod - ELCA
and SE District - LCMS) and Maryland (Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries,
Delaware - Maryland Synod and SE District - LCMS). Thrivent Financial for
Lutherans has also been a significant partner in this relief stage, funding
over tens of thousands of meals for three food banks in Virginia alone.
The extent of the damage is still being documented. Survivors, by the
thousands, have submitted their applications to FEMA. But again, we're still
emerging from the relief stage and we're projecting long term recovery roles
like case management and construction - though these will be likely outcomes.
Clean up crews are needed now. There remains a lot of cleaning and mucking
out to be done. We're partnering with fellow voluntary and faith based
organizations to meet this need. If you can pull together a team or just
want to head out yourself - call and schedule your services with the
following (and note, as long term recovery organizations emerge, these
numbers may change):
North Carolina: Lutheran Family Services of the Carolinas; Ron Rau -
919-861-2833; [log in to unmask]; George Strunk - [log in to unmask]
Virginia: Disaster Recover Center - 757-868-7065
Maryland: Delaware-Maryland Synod; 410-230-2860
Your continued prayers are greatly needed as people begin to sort through
their homes and begin to recover their lives.
And your cash donations will sustain this response throughout the long-term
recovery. Designate your gifts for "Hurricane Isabel."
ELCA DOMESTIC Disaster Response
PO Box 71764
Chicago, IL 60694-1794
Credit card line: 1800-638-3522
Or over the web - www.elca.org/disasters
LCMS World Relief
PO Box 66861
St. Louis, MO 63166-9810
Credit card line: 1888-930-4438
God be with you all -
Johanna Olson
For Lutheran Disaster Response
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