ELCA NEWS SERVICE October 31, 2003 Wildfires Destroy Homes of Lutherans in Southern California 03-198-MR CHICAGO (ELCA) -- About 25 families of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ELCA) Pacifica Synod, based in Yorba Linda, Calif., have lost their homes to the wildfires in Southern California. The homes have suffered varying degrees of damage, the Rev. Murray D. Finck, bishop of the ELCA Pacifica Synod, wrote in a letter to members of the synod. "The devastation of the fire continues to grow within the territory of our synod and beyond," Finck said. "Although it came close in some places, at this point we believe all of our church properties have escaped the flames." The ELCA Pacifica Synod is made up of 60,000 members in 127 congregations. The synod covers Hawaii and a portion of Southern California, including San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Imperial and part of Los Angeles. "At least one pastor's home suffered some damage, but the neighbors extinguished the flames before the whole house was burned. Many of our congregations and some of our pastors have evacuated their homes. We continue to hear more and more reports from our congregations that some of their members have lost their homes in the path of the fires. "We have no way at this point to assess the growing damages within our own Lutheran family, but we are attempting to coordinate our efforts with Lutheran Social Services, Lutheran Disaster Response and others able to assist with emergency aid and relief," Finck wrote. Plans for the distribution of food, clothing, items of necessity and money will continue to unfold, Finck added. Lutheran Disaster Response, a ministry of the ELCA and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), is managing relief efforts in response to the wildfires in Southern California. According to recent news reports, the fire has claimed the lives of 20 people, charred about 700,000 acres and destroyed at least 2,600 homes. "The fires are not diminishing," said the Rev. Gilbert B. Furst, director, Lutheran Disaster Response. "Shifting and strengthening winds continue and expand the flames, and there is a threat some fires will combine to form 'super fires.' How long it will take to extinguish them is beyond speculation. There is hope the weather may become more favorable in a few days. Many communities are still evacuated," he said. The devastation caused by the wildfires is "not about multi- million dollar vacation houses in the California mountains," said Furst. "These fires are about the homes of ordinary people like you and me, some elderly who have lived 40 years in their homes, people in small communities and their houses of worship . young couples in their first homes, children who have lost their sense of safety and security. "Yes, some multi-million dollar vacation homes have burned. But the fires are likely to have a significant impact on uninsured and minority communities," he said. "The fires have impacted Native American communities, including the Rinco, San Pasqual and Barona Tribes, destroying 107 residences. But the church is reaching out to help the most vulnerable -- the elderly, the handicapped, the single parent, the unemployed, the underinsured, the undocumented workers [and others] trying to start a new life in this country," Furst said. Lutheran Disaster Response is coordinating relief efforts through Lutheran Social Services of Southern California. It issued a $25,000 grant to LSS-Southern California on Oct. 30 to provide operational support and emergency supplies. Lutheran Disaster Response is also working with local congregations and the American Red Cross to provide "basic human needs. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is working with Lutheran Disaster Response to help provide financial support for food, clothing and shelter," Furst reported. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a fraternal benefits society based in Minneapolis. Other relief work being initiated by Lutheran Disaster Response includes providing "tools" for pastors to enable them to deal with the grief and loss within their congregations and among their neighbors; bringing experienced care providers to respond to the needs of people; pulling resources from other national faith-based disaster organizations; and planning for "Camp Noah," a weeklong day camp for children traumatized by disasters. Financial contributions will provide resources needed to assist with immediate emergency needs, cleanup provisions, long- term and unmet needs, as well as spiritual and emotional counseling, Furst said. -- -- -- 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