To: [log in to unmask] Dear Christian friends, "We are people of the cross, resurrection people, people of hope and new life." I often use these words as I speak in disaster situations, because from the depth of my being I believe these words are true. In the middle of this Holy Week - April 7 and 8 - Leon Phillips and I have been present in southwest Minnesota. Last week tornadoes tore a 68-mile path of devastation across a five-county area, especially impacting the communities of St. Peter and Comfrey, and affecting rural and farm families. We were present with Bishop H. George Anderson as he made a pastoral visit yesterday to forty of our sisters and brothers, at First Lutheran Church, in St. Peter. "My first concern is about you pastors affected in this area," Bishop Anderson began. "We need to let you know that what you are doing is important for the whole church, and we will support you in what you're doing." He asked the pastors and spouses, synod staff members, college chaplain, retired professor, and tornado survivors to describe their damage and special needs. We heard of near-death experiences, of sudden destruction with little warning; of people with minor shingle and tree damage and of chimneys falling through the roof; of members whose houses have been destroyed or condemned; of loss, of grief, of weariness. But as the stories were told -- one after another of hardship and heartache -- there was a balance of hope and relief. Bishop Anderson also heard of ecumenical worship services being held to offer thanks for no deaths; of gratitude for thousands of volunteers and quick cleanup; of the quick response of Lutheran Disaster Response through Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota; of the healing presence and new energy cleanup volunteers bring; of getting up and moving onward to a "new norm" of life, to new possibilities of ministry and service. We people of the cross, we resurrection people, are people of hope, of new life. Bishop Anderson noted that there are long-term effects and issues in this disaster situation. "You are in good hands with Lutheran Disaster Response," he noted. "LDR will be around not just when this disaster is in the headlines. Listen to and work with the LDR folks. They know the whole story, not just the headline stuff." Bishop Anderson also said, "Please take care of yourselves." He noted that Jesus took a lot of "time away" to be with God's healing strength and to get some distance from problems. "Pace yourselves, pull out of things, so you can understand why you're here, to take care of the spiritual issues of the people." He observed that the Easter texts would offer great help, but he also suggested the Psalms were a wonderful resource to help people see the issues and affirm the faith. He closed his visit by reflecting on Psalm 34:17, "The righteous cry and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles." We are resurrection people, people of hope and new life. As Leon Philips continued the meeting, I traveled with Bishop Anderson and Bishop Stan Olson to the campus of Gustavus Adolphus College. The major debris has been removed, but the famous trees that crowned the campus are gone. We meet with President Axel Steuer in his office. He reflected on the amazing outpouring of support, and reported that a meeting is being held this week on reopening the college (April 20 is the goal). Temporary classrooms are being set up, the residents' halls are mostly OK, insurance will cover damage in the big buildings, and tree replanting is beginning. "Gustavus Adolphus is not only alive, but moving forward with energy," he stated. "The tornado was not the act of God. The act of God is that the students weren't here, but were on spring break. We're doing well." We are resurrection people, people of hope and new life. Dennis Johnson, vice president for college relations, noted that when Chaplain Brian Johnson walked toward Christ Chapel the morning after the tornado, he saw the spire was twisted and down and windows were blown out. But as he entered the chapel, he saw the sanctuary lamp swaying in the breeze...and the flame was still burning. "That image of the eternal flame, the symbol of God's presence, has kept the light of hope burning within all members of the Gustavus family." He expects the chapel to be reopened this fall, and hopes that some weddings scheduled this summer can be held in the chapel. Here we are, in the middle of Holy Week, walking with our Lord to the cross. But this journey will not end at the cross, but at the empty tomb. We are people of the cross, resurrection people, people of hope and new life. As our brothers and sisters in southwest Minnesota enter into the coming months of cleaning up and rebuilding houses, of restoring lives and communities and worship spaces, let us be part of their hope, their new life. You can help by > your faithful and regular prayers of support > your contributions to ELCA Domestic Disaster Response PO Box 71764 Chicago, IL 60694-1764 > your volunteering, by calling: Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota/LDR 1-800-987-0061 May God add blessings, strength, and grace to the people of the cross, God's resurrection people, as we live out hope and participate in new life. Yours in Christ, Gil Furst GILBERT B. FURST (written on Wed, Apr 8, 1998, at 10:31 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