To: [log in to unmask] Dear friends in Christ, "Stir up your power, O Lord, and come. Take away the hindrance of our sins and make us ready for the celebration of your birth, that we may receive you in joy and serve you always." ELCA Domestic Disaster Response and Lutheran Disaster Response are responding to flash flooding that swept through thirteen counties in south central Kansas last month. In Arkansas City, a rain-swollen river broke through a levee, flooding 300 homes. In Butler county (mostly the town of Augusta), over 1,000 homes were affected. Because of the flash floods, most affected houses had major damage or were destroyed. FEMA reports that in some areas flooding was more severe than the devastating 1993 floods. Lutheran Social Service of Kansas/Oklahoma (Bernice Karstensen, President) has been responding through LDR disaster coordinator, Christine Iverson. Efforts have been coordinated with local ELCA and LCMS pastors. Congregations have organized cleaning crews, opened emergency shelters, and served hundreds of meals. Resources for children were distributed. Most of the survivors are low income or elderly persons - the "poorest of the poor." Many are at risk mentally, emotionally, and physically. The insurance fraternal, Aid Association for Lutherans, has provided matching funds. LSS and Lutheran Disaster Response are now working together to the mental health needs and unmet needs of the elderly in both Arkansas City and Augusta. This response brings to 30 the number of disaster to which LDR has responded this year, the highest yearly total in our ten-year history. This is 11% higher than the 1996 response (which held the previous highest number of yearly disasters), and 76% higher than last year. Finances present a major challenge for the church to serve well. As of November 1, yearly income for domestic disaster response is less than 40% than it was during the same period last year. We still are responding to the 1997 blizzards and floods in the upper Midwest, and are now beginning major new responses in Puerto Rico and Texas. "Take away the hindrance of our sins and make us ready for the celebration of your birth, that we may receive you in joy and serve you always." As we prepare for Christmas, I give thanks that over the years the church has been able to respond to so many brothers and sisters in need. And I pray that in this holy season, we will receive Jesus Christ in joy and continue to serve him fully. Please remember in your prayers (personal and congregational) those who sorrow because of the chaos and loss of natural disasters. As you consider how you might serve the Lord who comes, think about the possibility of volunteering for clean up and recovery efforts. As you receive Jesus Christ in joy, please respond with your generosity for others. To contribute: ELCA DOMESTIC Disaster Response PO Box 71764 Chicago, Illinois 60694-1764 Credit card gift line: 1-800-638-3522 LCMS World Relief P.O. Box 66861 St. Louis, MO 63166-9810 Credit card gift line: 1-888-930-4438 Joining you in joy and service, Gil Furst GILBERT B. FURST (written on Sat, Dec 19, 1998, at 10:10 am) 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