LUTHERANS RESPOND TO DISASTERS
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is responding to
tornados, heavy rains and floods in Arkansas, Mississippi,
Tennessee, Kentucky and Ohio through Lutheran Social Services
(LSS) of Kansas-Oklahoma. Tornados in Arkansas have destroyed
hundreds of homes and claimed more than 30 lives, reported the
Rev. Leon A. Phillips Jr., director for Lutheran Disaster
Response (LDR) and ELCA Domestic Disaster Response. Eighteen
other deaths and hundreds of injuries were reported in the
surrounding states. Needs assessment is under way, with disaster
response teams on site in Arkansas and Ohio, according to
Phillips. LDR will respond in three ways: provide emergency
grants to Lutheran families who lost their homes; support the
Arkansas interfaith response; and provide resources for cleanup,
emergency supplies, counseling, pastoral care and financial
assistance to the most vulnerable. LDR a cooperative effort of
the ELCA and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, has issued
emergency grants totaling $24,500. LSS of Kansas-Oklahoma is
managing this response for LDR.
For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
