ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 31, 2012  

ELCA synods struck by Hurricane Isaac begin to assess damage
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     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In the past week Hurricane Isaac has caused
flooding and damage across parts of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America's (ELCA) Southeastern and Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synods. Both
synods are now working with ELCA Disaster Response and their
congregations, as well as other social service providers to assess needs
in the area and begin the clean-up process.
     In the ELCA Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod, where Hurricane Katrina
hit New Orleans seven years ago this week, most of the damage has been
caused by heavy winds and flooding.
     "The good news is this has not been as bad as Katrina," said the Rev.
Michael Rinehart, bishop of the ELCA Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast
Synod. "It's too early to tell the full extent of the damage in hard-hit
parishes (counties) like Plaquemines Parish, St. John the Baptist Parish
and Tammany Parish. Power is still out over most of the metropolitan area,
but 10,000 workers have been deployed from 24 states to get the lights,
power and air conditioning back on."
     Only one congregation in the area has reported being affected by the
storm to date. The Lutheran Church of the Galilean in Le Place, La., is in
an area that has been evacuated. There is an estimated two to five feet of
water inside the church.
     "Members have not been able to access the church building yet," said
Rinehart. "They are hoping to get in today. (Along with others) from the
synod, I will be headed there as soon as I-10 is open, now that New
Orleans has lifted the curfew."
     In the ELCA Southeastern Synod, which includes Alabama, Georgia,
Mississippi and Tennessee, there are no reports of congregations that have
sustained major damage, although Grace Lutheran Church in Gulf Shores,
Ala., is in an area that was evacuated.
     "As far as we know, there is no significant damage to any of our
congregations on the coast," said the Rev. H. Julian Gordy, bishop of the
ELCA Southeastern Synod. "This storm moved through so slowly that it's
really just now over, and so the kind of assessment that needs to be done
probably won't be complete until a day or two."
     Gordy will be traveling to the coast in the next few days to assist
in the assessment process. He noted that because of the area's history of
storms, the synod has a disaster task force in place that was able to help
congregations prepare for Isaac. The task force will also be involved in
the assessment and recovery processes.
     "All of the congregations in this area have been accustomed to
storms. This is the area that was impacted by Katrina, and Lutherans were
involved in the recovery effort after Katrina for more than five years,"
Gordy said. "We have been extremely grateful for the response of Lutherans
across the country in the disasters that have happened across this synod
during the last few years. Lutherans have come early and stayed late in
all of those cases. We're very grateful."
     "We are now working with our partners in the area to determine needs
and the appropriate response," said the Rev. Michael Stadie, who directs
domestic disaster response for the ELCA. "Through the learnings and
experiences gained from Hurricane Katrina, there is already knowledge and
resources in the area that will be used in responding," he said. "As needs
for the relief and recovery continue to become known, we will be looking
to recruit volunteers for both short- and long-term efforts. In the early
stages, people wishing to provide support can best do so through financial
donations."
     "Knowing of the destruction that has come to communities because of
this hurricane and the continued experience of flooding and tornadoes, our
hearts are moved," said the Rev. Daniel Rift, director of the ELCA World
Hunger and Disaster Appeal. "We feel privileged to provide a way for
congregations and individuals to provide support for families to get back
on their feet after this terrible experience."
     "We join with Lutherans and others all over this nation in prayer for
those communities that have experienced destruction from this storm and
those that lie in its path," said Rift. "We pray as well that they know
they are not alone."
     Information about ELCA Disaster Response is available at htt://www.ELCA.org/disaster.
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United
States, with 4.2 million members in 10,000 congregations across the 50
states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work.
Our hands," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in
Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's
roots are in the writings of the German church reformer, Martin Luther.

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