CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) contributed an additional $450,000 Aug. 5 for the=20 post-crisis reconstruction and rehabilitation in and around Kosovo.
Funds will be used by the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) for social development projects in Mitrovica, Pec/Decani and Prizren/Orahovac, Kosovo. Professional psychologists will work with traumatized groups, especially women and children. Funds will also help to provide shelter, safety, food, education and income generation.
ELCA International Disaster Response is responding to a new appeal issued by Action by Churches Together (ACT), a worldwide network of churches and related agencies meeting human need through coordinated emergency response. The ACT coordinating office is based with the LWF -- a global communion of 128 member churches in 70 countries representing 58 million of the world's 61.5 million Lutherans -- and World Council of Churches (WCC) in Geneva, Switzerland. The ELCA is a member of the LWF and WCC.
Funds from the ELCA are in response to the new ACT appeal, said the Rev. Y. Franklin Ishida, director for international communication, ELCA Division for Global Mission. Total ELCA International Disaster Response contributions for relief and rehabilitation in and around Kosovo has reached $1,655,000 since the crisis began. ELCA International Disaster Response is coordinated through the ELCA Division for Global Mission.
ACT issued it's first appeal shortly after the crisis began. Funds were used to help confront the increasing humanitarian crisis with the conflict in and around Kosovo. The first appeal generated about $19 million worldwide, said Ishida. The goal for the second appeal by ACT is $37,290,425.
Two college-bound and three high school students at First Lutheran Church and St. John Lutheran Church, both in Dongola, Ill., raised about $600 for children in Kosovo. Inspired by a Bible lesson during Sunday worship, the youth organized a dinner with entertainment to raise funds for the ELCA International Disaster Response.
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
Editors: When listing organizations receiving funds for aid to
survivors of major disasters *outside* the United States, Puerto Rico or
the U.S. Virgin Islands, please include:
Lutheran World Relief
Church Street Station
P.O. Box 6186
New York, NY 10277-1738
1-800-LWR-LWR-2
1-800-597-5972
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
- - -
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
