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To: [log in to unmask] Dear friends in the risen Christ, Today, April 19, is a day for the church to remember and to renew. It is a day for the church to remember those whose lives have been touched by disasters. And it is a day for the church to renew our commitment to those touched by disasters-through our prayers, our contributions, our volunteering. Three years ago this day the intentional bombing of the Murrah Center in Oklahoma City caused unprecedented grief and heartache for the American people. Our church, through Lutheran Disaster Response, was there at once to provide counseling and support. That commitment continued through the years, as counseling continued and support was shown to survivors and to victims' families who attended the two federal trials held in Denver, Colorado. One year ago this day the Red River, flowing between North Dakota and Minnesota, flooded Grand Forks, East Grand Forks, and numerous rural communities over a three-hundred-mile area. Our church, through LDR and numerous Lutheran partners, was there at once, to help meet initial needs through the chaotic emergency stage, and to provide volunteer clean up and supplies through the relief stage. Our church continues to be present and active in this second year as recovery efforts continue. Today is a day for the church to remember and to renew. As we remember our brothers and sisters in Oklahoma City and those who continue to be affected by last year's blizzards and floods in North and South Dakota and Minnesota-we also remember so many others whose lives have been affected recently by natural and intentional disasters. And we renew our commitment as the church to continue the recovery and rebuilding effort in the upper Midwest. We renew our commitment to bring assistance and services to those so suddenly affected by recent tornadoes and storms (in Florida, Minnesota, Illinois, Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee). We renew our commitment to bring support and consolation to families and community members in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Today's Prayer of the Day includes the words, "Graciously help us to show the power of the resurrection in all that we say and do." Indeed, we resurrection people show the risen Christ alive in us as we extend our hands in love to others, even as Jesus Christ has extended his hands in love to us. Please remember all whose lives have been touched by disasters. And renew your commitment to show the power of the resurrection-by praying, by contributing, and by volunteering. ELCA Domestic Disaster Response PO Box 71764 Chicago, IL 60694-1764 Yours in Christ, Gil Furst GILBERT B. FURST (written on Sun, Apr 19, 1998, at 2:42 pm) Associate Director, ELCA Domestic Disaster Response Internet address: [log in to unmask] For more information, click on our web site: www.elca.org/dcs/disaster