CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutherans are providing "prayer and emotional support" for people in Los Alamos, Espanola and White Rock, N.M., who are coping with wild fires currently blazing in these areas.
"Nearly 22,000 residents of Los Alamos, Espanola and White Rock have been evacuated," 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). He said the National Weather Service predicted wind gusts of up to 60 miles per hour with lower humidity on May 12. "Lower humidity dries brush even more, making it more flammable," Furst said.
The Rev. Allan C. Bjornberg, bishop of the ELCA Rocky Mountain Synod, Denver, reported that it is possible that one-quarter to one- third of the residents of Los Alamos could be homeless by the evening of May 12, said Furst.
"This disaster is still very much in the immediate phase. The needs of people will be assessed more easily after pastors and members can return to their homes and communities," Furst said.
Lutheran Disaster Response is working with the ELCA Rocky Mountain Synod and the LCMS Rocky Mountain District to contact congregations affected by the fires to rally support for response and recovery efforts. Congregations in the Santa Fe area are setting up "command posts" to coordinate ministry services to those who have been evacuated, and pastors from Albuquerque are offering assistance.
"Lutheran Disaster Response will be present in the days and months ahead, long after the headlines have been written and forgotten," Furst said. _________________________ 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=20
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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
