CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Since the end of August, people in eastern North Carolina have endured the impact of three hurricanes -- Dennis, Floyd and Irene -- said the Rev. Gilbert B. Furst, director for Lutheran Disaster Response, a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS).
"The lives of thousands have been changed forever by the forces of widespread destruction," Furst said. More than 100,000 migrants and other low-income people who live along the river basins in eastern North Carolina were made homeless by Hurricane Floyd, he said.
After Hurricane Floyd, Hurricane Irene produced heavy rain and added stress to already-water-saturated North Carolina, said Johanna Olson, assistant for Lutheran Disaster Response.
Lutheran Disaster Response "has been reaching out to the survivors of these hurricane-induced floods from the beginning," said Furst. More than $100,000 has been made available to provide immediate assistance after Hurricane Floyd, he said.
Lutheran Disaster Response efforts are being coordinated by Lutheran Family Services in the Carolinas, along with the ELCA North Carolina Synod and the LCMS Southeastern District.
The Southern Province Offices of the Moravian Church in America gave a $10,000 gift to Lutheran Disaster Response for its recovery efforts in North Carolina.
"We Moravians wish to thank Lutheran Disaster Response for permitting us to work together in the Hurricane Floyd relief effort," said the Rev. Robert Rierson, director of the board of evangelism and home mission, Southern Province Offices of the Moravian Church in America. Rierson said the gift is to be "used in alleviating the suffering caused by floods."
The 1999 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Denver approved "Following Our Shepherd to Full Communion," a full communion agreement between the ELCA and the Moravian Church.
"Many people from across the country have been contacting Lutheran Disaster Response and wondering how to reach out to their brothers and sisters in this time of crisis," Furst said.
Furst offered three ways to help. "Prayers are always helpful and provide a powerful spiritual support to those who are affected and to those who are providing assistance. Cash contributions, not material contributions, help to provide immediate assistance to people, and enable needed items to be purchased in the disaster areas. Third, volunteers can help with the daunting task of clean-up and repairs."
"Flooded streams, often filled with chemical and organic pollution, are just now receding. Rains, which dumped additional inches of water, have ended. Dry winds are blowing again in North Carolina," said Furst.
DOMESTIC DISASTERS:
Editors: When listing organizations receiving funds for aid to survivors
of major disasters inside 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:
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
