Lutherans Respond to South Dakota's Deadly Tornado

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is responding to a tornado that left six people dead, 150 people injured and destroyed all of Spencer, S.D., including St. Matthew Lutheran Church on May 30.  Spencer, a town of about 300 people, is located 45 miles west of Sioux Falls.
     "A member of St. Matthew died from injuries and another is in intensive care," reported the Rev. David G. Larson, assistant to the bishop for the ELCA's South Dakota Synod.  "The tornado demolished St. Matthew and pretty much everything else in town.  We have plans to provide support for clergy and care-givers that will assist people in the time ahead."
     The Rev. Andrea DeGroot-Nesdahl, bishop of the South Dakota Synod, visited Spencer May 31.  "St. Matthew had 60 baptized members.  The congregation celebrated their 100th anniversary last summer.  Although the church building is gone, the congregation is still intact.  The sense of the congregation as being the body of Christ is still in place," said DeGroot-Nesdahl.  "It certainly is a loss, a real grief situation to see that kind of devastation.  It is very painful, but the strength of the people will come from their faith in God."
     "Emergency generators are being provided to volunteers who will help with initial cleanup of debris," said the Rev. Gilbert B. Furst, associate director for Lutheran Disaster Response, a ministry of the ELCA and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.  "A counseling staff is also being deployed.  Lutheran Disaster Response is working through Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota."
     "We are in a holding pattern," said Rose Kormann, disaster coordinator for Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota.  "Hundreds of people are homeless, most of whom are elderly people.  It is not certain whether rebuilding efforts will take place.  At the moment, priorities include meeting the mental health needs of people and generating financial support for cleanup and recovery efforts."
     "South Dakota Governor William J. Janklow called out the National Guard and inmates from the state penitentiary to assist in the monumental task of sifting through debris," said Larson.
     DeGroot-Nesdahl pointed out that one person cleaning up debris is a member of St. Dysmas Lutheran Church, an ELCA prison ministry in Sioux Falls.  "In a number of ways, our church's immediate response was evident," Larson said.
     "No one except the residents and National Guard can get into town," said Larson.  Volunteers may be needed later, but it's too early for that now.  Bulldozers may come in as early as June 2 to begin the arduous task of clearing the rubble."

For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html