ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 3, 2005

ELCA, LCMS Agree To Work Together On Disaster Response
05-139-MRC

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America (ELCA) and Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS)
signed a "Statement of Collaboration" that makes official the
working relationship of both churches in ministering to people in
emergency and disaster situations.
     In the context of each denomination's call to minister to
people in disasters, the ELCA Division for Church in Society and
LCMS World Relief and Human Care agreed to "cooperate in a
portion of their domestic disaster relief efforts," according to
the statement, which became official June 30.
     "Despite our theological differences, the agreement allows
us to serve our neighbors in need," said Heather L. Feltman,
director, Lutheran Disaster Response, a ministry of the ELCA and
LCMS. Disaster response "is one area where there is agreement on
how we can work together strongly. It's a time for celebration."
     Feltman also serves as director for ELCA Domestic Disaster
Response. The offices of Lutheran Disaster Response and ELCA
Domestic Disaster Response are housed here in the ELCA Division
for Church in Society.
     The mission of Lutheran Disaster Response, as reflected in
the statement, is "to demonstrate Christ's compassion for people
by promoting hope, healing and wholeness for disaster survivors,
underscored by Scripture." The document cites specific verses in
the Gospel of St. Matthew.
     The Statement also identifies six "general principles" of
cooperation and coordination between the ELCA and LCMS via
Lutheran Disaster Response. The principles include open
communication and the sharing of information regarding disaster
recourses; identifying the "best method" to develop, support and
use resources; encouraging individual Lutherans, congregations,
synods of the ELCA and districts of the LCMS, Lutheran social
ministry organizations and others to provide resources needed for
disaster response preparation and response to specific disasters
when they occur; and staff of Lutheran Disaster Response
discussing expenditures and maintaining Lutheran Disaster
Response's "Manual of Standing Policies and Procedures," designed
to supplement the Statement of Collaboration.
     Since the formation of the ELCA in 1987, the ministry of the
ELCA and LCMS to meet the needs of people affected by disaster in
the United States and Caribbean has been carried out through
Lutheran Disaster Response.
     Although Lutherans have been working together on disaster
response since 1987, and in some form prior to that year, no
signed agreement existed to make the working relationship
official, Feltman said. "We had worked through conversation and
verbal agreements," she said.
     Lutheran Disaster Response provides emotional and spiritual
care to people affected by disaster; allocates funds to support
disaster response case management; processes "hardship grants" to
congregations; and purchases building supplies to help rebuild
homes. Lutheran Disaster Response and its partner organizations
also provide training opportunities to help people prepare for
when disaster may strike next.
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     Information about Lutheran Disaster Response is maintained
at http://www.ELCA.org/dcs/disaster on the Internet.

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