CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In response to the 2005 hurricane season,
particularly to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, members of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) contributed more
than $27 million to support disaster response efforts, reported
Heather L. Feltman, executive director, Lutheran Disaster
Response (LDR), at the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly Aug. 11.
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of
the ELCA, met here Aug. 6-11 at Navy Pier's Festival Hall. About
2,000 people participated, including 1,069 ELCA voting members.
The theme for the biennial assembly is "Living in God's Amazing
Grace: Thanks be to God!"
"While many in the country may have already forgotten or
want the nation to forget this tragedy and move on, some of us
recognize that a great human tragedy is still unfolding," said
Feltman. "Many persons -- men, women, children, elderly,
disabled, poor, low-income and middle-income families -- have
been emotionally, physically, psychologically and economically
devastated. And as this church, we must not be part of a society
lulled into forgetfulness."
In the past two years more than 33,000 Lutheran volunteers
have given over 1.5 million hours of their time, "meaning that
more than $29.1 million worth of in-kind service has been given
by Lutherans to a single response. This is unprecedented," said
Feltman.
The efforts of Lutheran volunteers have help put more than
9,000 families back into their homes, and more than 8,000
families have received comprehensive case management services
both in the U.S. Gulf Coast and across the country through LDR
efforts and participation in the Katrina Aid Consortium, she
said.
LDR has provided more than $600,000 to fund work and
response to 18 other disasters across the country in the past
year, Feltman said. The generosity of the church has allowed
congregations, synods and social ministry organizations to focus
on preparing for future disasters. In 2007 more than $800,000
has been disbursed in disaster-preparedness grants for 2007, she
said.
Feltman ended her report to the assembly with a challenge to
be "mindful of the great need that still exists along the Gulf
Coast and other parts of the country. Volunteers are still very
much welcomed and encouraged. Through our long-term commitment,
we will continue to see lives restored."
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Information about the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly can be
found at http://www.ELCA.org/assembly/ on the Web.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
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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
