ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 31, 2004

ELCA Response To Hurricane Charley Widens
04-159-JB/TW*

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR), a partnership
ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and Lutheran
Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), continues its response to Florida residents
affected by Hurricane Charley, which struck the state in mid-August.
     LDR is providing emotional and spiritual care to people who need it,
said Heather L. Feltman, director for ELCA Domestic Disaster Response and
LDR.  LDR is especially concerned about people who have no insurance or
are underinsured, those who live alone and those who are homeless, Feltman
said.   In Florida, of particular concern are the large numbers of elderly
and disabled people, migrant farm workers, immigrants and people who first
language is not English.
     "Through our LDR partner, Lutheran Services of Florida, care centers
are opening in four geographic areas across the state," Feltman reported.
"A [toll-free] number is available through the Lutheran Services of
Florida Web site [to accept] calls requesting emotional and spiritual
care."
     Through last week, there were 26 confirmed fatalities from the storm,
and as many as eight counties initiated curfews, she said.  Ten hospitals
were damaged or destroyed, and many residents were advised to boil water.
Statewide 23 shelters were opened and thousands of people were still
without electrical power.
     "LDR is facilitating conversations between state, federal and county
mental health authorities, identifying mental health needs and pastoral
care needs on a daily basis,"
     Feltman said.  "LDR volunteer coordinators have been hired and are
deployed to assist in local recovery efforts and to help identify those
most vulnerable."
     Volunteers "are in demand and greatly appreciated," she said.
Volunteers can sign up through Lutheran Services of Florida at
http://www.lsfnet.org on the Web or call 813/676-9513.  People who want to
know about specific needs and where to send in-kind donations can access
"Volunteer Florida" at http://www.disasterhelp.net/vflorida on the Web.
     Other recent developments in response to the aftermath of Hurricane
Charley are:
     + The Rev. Edward R. Benoway, bishop of the ELCA Florida-Bahamas
Synod, Tampa, and the Rev. Gerhard C. Michael Jr., president of the LCMS
Florida-Georgia District, have invited ELCA and LCMS pastors to regional
meetings Sept. 2-3.  The purpose of the meetings is for professional
leaders to "gather as one Lutheran family for conversation, mutual
support, information sharing and a meal," according to a letter signed by
Benoway and Michael.  The meetings will take place Sept. 2 at St. Luke
Lutheran Church, an LCMS congregation in Oveido, and later that day, at
Lamb of God Lutheran Church, an ELCA congregation in Haines City; on Sept.
3, Messiah Lutheran Church, an ELCA congregation, will host a gathering in
North Ft. Myers.
     + The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, wrote to members in
the Florida-Bahamas Synod to express his concern for them in the aftermath
of the storm.  "While we in no way can imagine the grief and loss you
feel, we share your burdens as workers with you in God's kingdom," he said
in his Aug. 23 letter.  "You are remembered in the prayers of the Lutheran
Center Chapel (Chicago) at its weekly worship services, just as you are
being remembered in the prayers of countless congregations throughout this
church as members gather for worship."  Hanson said he is encouraged by
gifts to LDR and praised the "tireless work" being done by LDR staff to
assist people in need.
     + ELCA and LCMS congregations in Iowa City, Iowa, sent a truckload of
relief supplies to Lamb of God Lutheran Church, Haines City, immediately
after the storm.  The Rev. Dwight L. Dubois, Zion Lutheran Church, Iowa
City, organized the effort, which included collection of supplies from
five ELCA and LCMS congregations as well as from other citizens in Iowa
City and Coralville.  In his appeal, Dubois said he was serving a
congregation in Charleston, S.C., when Hurricane Hugo struck in 1989.  He
gratefully remembered the trucks arriving from throughout the country with
much-needed supplies.  Volunteers unloaded the truck in Haines City and
helped distribute supplies.
---
* The Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel, director of communications, ELCA
Florida-Bahamas Synod, contributed to this report.

     More information about Hurricane Charley recovery efforts is at
http://www.elca.org/disaster on the ELCA Web site.  Specific information
about damage and recovery in the ELCA Florida-Bahamas Synod is available
at http://www.fbsynod.org on the Web.

DOMESTIC DISASTERS:

Editors: When listing organizations receiving funds to aid survivors of
major disasters inside the United States, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin
Islands, please include:
ELCA Domestic Disaster Response, P.O. Box 71764, Chicago, Illinois
60694-1764
Credit card gift line: 1-800-638-3522
Credit card gifts via Internet: http://www.elca.org/disaster


For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://www.elca.org/news