CHICAGO (ELCA) -- "The catastrophic disaster continues to unfold in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota," said the Rev. Leon A. Phillips Jr., executive director of Lutheran Disaster Response. "In most areas, the battle goes on, and cleanup is still well down the road," Phillips said.
Nestled beside the Red River, the campus of Oak Grove Lutheran High School, Fargo, N.D., is now completely flooded, reported the Rev. John G. Andreasen on April 23. Andreasen is the school's president. "Over the past week the water engulfed the entire athletic field, threatening the buildings on campus. Oak Grove was a fortress surrounded by dikes and sandbags in a dramatic attempt to protect the school. Now, we look out to a five-foot lake," he said. Oak Grove is the only residential high school of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
"The staff and so many residents are exhausted physically and emotionally," said John J. Scibilia, ELCA's director for schools. "Their faith and endless energy are a testimony to their commitment and dedication to the Christian educational tradition at Oak Grove. Holding back the water is a job for today, but holding back then letting go of the tears of fatigue, frustration and anguish will be a long task," he said.
Classes will continue for Oak Grove students across the Red River at Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn. Concordia is one of 28 college and universities associated with the ELCA.
"We are excited that our students will be able to continue their education on the college's campus," said Andreasen. "Not only do they have access to classroom facilities, but students have the opportunity to be exposed to the professional areas of the college's library and computer technology facilities," he said. "We see the body of Christ working together as a whole."
Lutheran Disaster Response, a joint ministry of the ELCA and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, is coordinating flood relief efforts through Lutheran Social Services (LSS) of Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
"Right now, things are really difficult," said the Rev. Keith D. "Tony" Ingle, president of LSS of North Dakota. "We have a rather sustained flood that has continued to grow and has, in fact, passed all historical watermarks that we know," he said.
"We see the flood process in three phases. The first phase was helping people in the flood control process. The second phase will be the clean-up. We need to recruit and organize volunteers who are willing to come and help for a few days to give folks who are just worn to a frazzle a break. Economic assessment and development is the third phase," said Ingle.
Lutheran Disaster Response has issued $130,000 in initial grants for emergency response in the flood zone of northwestern Minnesota and eastern North Dakota. "Emergency equipment, generators, sump pumps and heaters have been purchased and are in use in endangered areas," said Phillips. Lutheran Disaster Response will use 100 percent of designated funds for flood relief efforts.
Lutheran Disaster Response coordinators are in place in three states to provide emergency response: Bonnie Turner, Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota, Fargo; the Rev. Raymond A. Engh, Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota, Sioux Falls; Melanie Josephson, Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota, St. Paul. "Additional staff persons will be added," said Phillips. Once the flood waters recede, volunteers from across the country will be called to assist in cleanup and recovery efforts.
The ELCA's Southwestern Minnesota Synod, Redwood Falls, has designated April 26 and 27 to be "special days of prayer in a spring time of storms, floods, recovery and hope." The Rev. Stanley N. Olson said, "The need for help and prayer will continue for weeks and months to come. In days like these, our trust is tested. We see again that we are not in control of our destinies. However, over the generations, Christians have found that times of difficulty and trouble can nourish and deepen faith in God." Olson is bishop of the ELCA's Southwestern Minnesota Synod.
DOMESTIC DISASTERS
Editors: When listing organizations receiving funds for
aid to survivors of major disasters including the
United States, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands,
please include:
Lutheran Disaster Response
P.O. Box 71764
Chicago, IL 60694-1764
800-638-3522
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
