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Dear Christian friends,
"We celebrate that we don't have apparent great destruction, and as we
struggle through our apprehension and fear, we celebrate that Christ is
Lord." So Bishop Leonard Bolick (North Carolina Synod, ELCA) put into
words what is in the hearts of so many people. Hurricane Bonnie is gone
and back in the ocean. "We are grateful" is the refrain we heard again and
again this day in North Carolina, as we met with twenty-nine ELCA and LCMS
pastors and lay leaders along the Atlantic shore in Wilmington and further
inland in Kinston. The pastors reported on contacts with their members:
"trees are down...there is a lot of water damage...people are under great
psychological stress...there is debris all over the place...." But "we
dodged the bullet...the trees missed our house by inches...power outages
have been restored...we are very fortunate." Repeatedly there were words
of gratitude and praise to God.
My colleagues today included many partners: Johanna Olson (Asst. for ELCA
Domestic Disaster Response), Lutheran Family Services in the Carolinas vice
president Carl Miller (who is managing our response), Bishop Bolick and
Pastor Jane Mitcham (North Carolina Synod), Dr. Gary Harbaugh (LDR pastoral
care specialist), Charles Moeller (LDR disaster consultant), and a Lutheran
Brotherhood representative. Dr Arthur Scherer, President of the
Southeastern District (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod), was unable to
attend, but sent his deepest concerns and prayers of support and
thanksgiving. Aid Association for Lutheran representatives were unable to
attend because (ironically) they were in Wisconsin receiving training in
how to work with LDR in times of disasters.
The pastors reported how the community of faith is pulling together, even
as damage assessment continues. The support of the whole church was
underscored. Pastoral ministries are being undergirded in these relieved
but stressed times. The pastors received cash grants to provide immediate
financial assistance to members of their congregations and communities.
Monies are being collected for additional financial support distribution.
Insight and direction were shared, as ministry continues with people
affected by this latest blow. As always, all were reminded and assured
that their brothers and sisters in Christ across the country are thinking
and praying for them, providing encouragement and support.
"Our gratitude is that God is present, not that 'we escaped this time,'"
said Dr. Harbaugh. "God is always acting in the midst of life, in the best
and the worst of times."
Yes, God is present and acting, even in the midst of the aftermath of
Hurricane Bonnie. God is present through your prayers and financial
support. God is acting through those providing ministry and relief.
At this moment, volunteers from outside the area are not needed. The
greatest needs are continuing prayers and offerings.
TO CONTRIBUTE: Please send your contributions to
ELCA Domestic Disaster Response - "Hurricanes"
PO Box 71764
Chicago, Illinois 60694-1764
Thanks be to God, ever present, always acting. Christ is Lord indeed.
In his name,
Gil Furst
GILBERT B. FURST (written on Sat, Aug 29, 1998, at 11:30 pm)
Director, ELCA Domestic Disaster Response (Division for Church in Society),
Lutheran Disaster Response (A cooperative ministry of the ELCA and LCMS)
8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago 60631 PHONE: 773-380-2822 FAX: 773-380-2493
Visit our website: www.elca.org/dcs/disaster
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