ELCA Response To Hurricane Charley Widens

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR), a partnership ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), continues its response to Florida residents affected by Hurricane Charley, which struck the state in mid-August.
LDR is providing emotional and spiritual care to people who need it, said Heather L. Feltman, director for ELCA Domestic Disaster Response and LDR. LDR is especially concerned about people who have no insurance or are underinsured, those who live alone and those who are homeless, Feltman said. In Florida, of particular concern are the large numbers of elderly and disabled people, migrant farm workers, immigrants and people who first language is not English.
"Through our LDR partner, Lutheran Services of Florida, care centers are opening in four geographic areas across the state," Feltman reported. "A [toll-free] number is available through the Lutheran Services of Florida Web site [to accept] calls requesting emotional and spiritual care."
Through last week, there were 26 confirmed fatalities from the storm, and as many as eight counties initiated curfews, she said. Ten hospitals were damaged or destroyed, and many residents were advised to boil water. Statewide 23 shelters were opened and thousands of people were still without electrical power.
"LDR is facilitating conversations between state, federal and county mental health authorities, identifying mental health needs and pastoral care needs on a daily basis,"
Feltman said. "LDR volunteer coordinators have been hired and are deployed to assist in local recovery efforts and to help identify those most vulnerable."
Volunteers "are in demand and greatly appreciated," she said. Volunteers can sign up through Lutheran Services of Florida at http://www.lsfnet.org on the Web or call 813/676-9513. People who want to know about specific needs and where to send in-kind donations can access "Volunteer Florida" at http://www.disasterhelp.net/vflorida on the Web.
Other recent developments in response to the aftermath of Hurricane Charley are:
+ The Rev. Edward R. Benoway, bishop of the ELCA Florida-Bahamas Synod, Tampa, and the Rev. Gerhard C. Michael Jr., president of the LCMS Florida-Georgia District, have invited ELCA and LCMS pastors to regional meetings Sept. 2-3. The purpose of the meetings is for professional leaders to "gather as one Lutheran family for conversation, mutual support, information sharing and a meal," according to a letter signed by Benoway and Michael. The meetings will take place Sept. 2 at St. Luke Lutheran Church, an LCMS congregation in Oveido, and later that day, at Lamb of God Lutheran Church, an ELCA congregation in Haines City; on Sept. 3, Messiah Lutheran Church, an ELCA congregation, will host a gathering in North Ft. Myers.
+ The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, wrote to members in the Florida-Bahamas Synod to express his concern for them in the aftermath of the storm. "While we in no way can imagine the grief and loss you feel, we share your burdens as workers with you in God's kingdom," he said in his Aug. 23 letter. "You are remembered in the prayers of the Lutheran Center Chapel (Chicago) at its weekly worship services, just as you are being remembered in the prayers of countless congregations throughout this church as members gather for worship." Hanson said he is encouraged by gifts to LDR and praised the "tireless work" being done by LDR staff to assist people in need.
+ ELCA and LCMS congregations in Iowa City, Iowa, sent a truckload of relief supplies to Lamb of God Lutheran Church, Haines City, immediately after the storm. The Rev. Dwight L. Dubois, Zion Lutheran Church, Iowa City, organized the effort, which included collection of supplies from five ELCA and LCMS congregations as well as from other citizens in Iowa City and Coralville. In his appeal, Dubois said he was serving a congregation in Charleston, S.C., when Hurricane Hugo struck in 1989. He gratefully remembered the trucks arriving from throughout the country with much-needed supplies. Volunteers unloaded the truck in Haines City and helped distribute supplies.
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* The Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel, director of communications, ELCA Florida-Bahamas Synod, contributed to this report.

More information about Hurricane Charley recovery efforts is at http://www.elca.org/disaster on the ELCA Web site. Specific information about damage and recovery in the ELCA Florida-Bahamas Synod is available at http://www.fbsynod.org on the Web.

DOMESTIC DISASTERS:

Editors: When listing organizations receiving funds to aid survivors of major disasters inside the United States, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, please include:
ELCA Domestic Disaster Response, P.O. Box 71764, Chicago, Illinois 60694-1764
Credit card gift line: 1-800-638-3522
Credit card gifts via Internet: http://www.elca.org/disaster


For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news