CHICAGO (ELCA) -- "`The Lutherans are here' is usually what people say as Lutheran Disaster Response provides its ministry of hope and hands-on response in disastrous situations," said the Rev. Gilbert B. Furst, associate director for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Domestic Disaster Response. And more Lutherans are on the way as volunteers from across the country are called to assist in the cleanup and recovery efforts along the Red River Valley.
Lutheran Disaster Response, a joint ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod, has issued $200,000 in initial grants for emergency response in the flood areas of Minnesota and North and South Dakota. It will use 100 percent of designated funds for flood relief efforts. "Emergency equipment, generators, sump pumps and heaters have been purchased and are in use in endangered areas," said the Rev. Leon A. Phillips, executive director for Lutheran Disaster Response.
MINNESOTA: The Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota is managing relief efforts and staff in the Montevideo-Granite Falls area, Breckenridge, Ada and Crookston, with the Crookston office scheduled to move to East Grand Forks as soon as possible. "A volunteer coordinator will be based in Moorehead," reported Phillips. "Provision of emergency supplies continues, as does counseling. Arrangements are now ready for outside volunteers to help with cleanup," he said. The statewide coordinator for LSS Minnesota is Melanie Josephson.
NORTH DAKOTA: Volunteer coordinators for the Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota based in Fargo will oversee hundreds of cleanup volunteers, equipment and supplies. "Initial cleanup volunteers can now be used in many places, including Fargo," said Phillips. The statewide coordinator for LSS North Dakota is Bonnie Turner.
SOUTH DAKOTA: "Many areas of South Dakota are also affected by the flood," Phillips reported, "and there are particular needs in the agricultural and rural communities." The statewide coordinator for the Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota is the Rev. Raymond A. Engh in Sioux Falls.
The Lutheran Disaster Response is present in "the outpouring of prayers and financial support from Lutheran brothers and sisters across the country. The mission of Lutheran Disaster Response is to help people recover from disasters as they live through the different stages of chaos to recovery, as they live through the different phases of grief and loss," Furst said.
The Rev. Foster R. McCurley Jr., Mohnton, Pa., and others will lead forums to help pastors and other care givers in grief ministry. McCurley is co-author of the book, "Making Sense Out of Sorrow."
Through the ELCA's Domestic Disaster Response, emergency grants are being provided to "make sure salaries are paid for pastors and other full-time church workers," said Phillips. "Congregations will receive grants to meet essential expenses and provide emergency discretionary grants for pastors in flooded areas."
The ELCA's Board of Pensions will allow congregations to postpone their monthly employee benefit payments as they help their communities recover from the area flooding in Minnesota and the Dakotas.
"This grace period helps Lutheran congregations focus on flood recovery and reviving their communities without the worry of paying bills," said John G. Kapanke, president of the Minneapolis-based pensions board.
The ELCA Board of Pensions administers pension, health, disability and survivor benefits to 48,000 pastors, lay workers, retired members and their families, for 11,000 congregations and other ELCA-affiliated organizations worldwide.
Lutheran Brotherhood, a fraternal benefit society in Minneapolis, will match up to $500,000 in contributions by individuals and organizations for flood relief. One hundred percent of the donations will be distributed to flood relief efforts in Minnesota and the Dakotas.
Aid Association for Lutherans, a fraternal benefit society based in Appleton, Wis., has allocated up to $600,000 in disaster relief to help victims of the flooding. The funds will be used to match aid money raised locally by members of AAL volunteer groups called "branches."
"`The Lutherans are here' indeed, already providing a spiritual support, financial assistance, and promising ongoing resources to meet the needs from the catastrophic blizzards and floods," said Furst.
CLEANUP VOLUNTEERS CONTACT:
North Dakota - Bonnie Turner - 1-800-950-2901
South Dakota - Ray Engh - 1-605-373-4224
Minnesota - Melanie Josephson - 1-612-642-5990
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
