Dear friends in Christ,
Lutheran Disaster Response (a cooperative ministry of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod) is
responding to a long band of storms and tornadoes - and resulting floods
- that affected Midwest states this past week. Especially affected are
Iowa and Nebraska, Michigan and Wisconsin. Illinois is under a flood
watch tonight, when the Des Plaines River crests.
At the moment a network of LDR coordinators is busy assessing the
damage and determining appropriate responses of the church. Michael
Stadie (LDR coordinator, Lutheran Services in Iowa) is traveling with
Bishop Steven Ullestad to the affected areas. Carol Frederick and Roger
Kruger (Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska) are working with District
and Synod offices to assess needs. Dave Roth (Lutheran Child and Family
Services of Illinois) and Beth Stockbridge (Lutheran Social Services of
Illinois) are monitoring the Illinois floods as well as responding to
the Utica tornadoes.
As I write this initial report, the immediate needs and damages are
being assessed and interfaith efforts are beginning. Many devastated
areas are still inaccessible or closed to relief efforts because of
dangerous debris that must be removed. LDR will work closely with the
affected ELCA Synods and LCMS Districts, as they rally members and
congregations to provide support for the response efforts. I will share
additional information with you as soon as it is available. It is
certain that major cleanup will be needed, as well as counseling
services for those whose lives have been affected by this destructive
weather. Emergency disaster grants will be provided as specific needs
are assessed.
You can help by your prayers of support for those who have been
affected and for those who are reaching out to help. The prayers of
God's people are more powerful than these deadly storms and tornadoes.
You can help by volunteering for clean up and repairs, once those needs
are known and the systems for response are in place.
You can help by your contributions, which enable the church to respond
at once and makes it possible to offer help and hope for the long haul.
To contribute:
ELCA DOMESTIC Disaster Response
PO Box 71764
Chicago, Illinois 60694-1764
Credit card gift line: 1-800-638-3522
Credit card gifts via the web: www.elca.org/disaster
LC-MS World Relief and Human Care
P.O. Box 66861
St. Louis, MO 63166-9810
Credit card gift line: 1-888-930-4438
Yours in Christ,
Gil Furst
Gilbert B. Furst (Written on 05/24/04, at 3:09 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 websites: www.ldr.org
www.elca.org/dcs/disaster
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