DENVER (ELCA) -- Prayers and cash are being sent from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) to assist the victims of the earthquake in Turkey. Voting members and visitors focused prayer at the Aug. 18 plenary session of the churchwide assembly here, and ELCA International Disaster Response pledged an initial $75,000 toward rescue efforts to be coordinated through Action by Churches Together (ACT). ACT is a coordinating agency of church and church-related relief organizations.
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, is meeting Aug. 16-22 at the Colorado Convention Center. There are more than 2,500 people participating, including 1,039 ELCA voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly is "Making Christ Known: Hope for a New Century."
An Aug. 18 offering of more than $4,800 will be designated for relief in Turkey, said the Rev. Lowell G. Almen, secretary of the ELCA. Almen noted that because of ongoing support for the ELCA's disaster response, ELCA members actually provide assistance before they personally know about disasters around the globe.
ACT has issued an initial appeal for pledges, reported the Rev. Y. Franklin Ishida, director for for international communications, ELCA Division for Global Mission. ACT has begun assessing the situation in Turkey together with representatives of the Middle East Council of Churches. Exact appeal figures will be forthcoming.
Expected needs include tents, blankets, food, medical supplies, and logistical support, Ishida said.
Contributions can be sent to LWR. Credit card contributions can be made through the ELCA web site at www.elca.org/dgm/disaster/turkey.html or by calling 1-800-638-3522.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.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
