ELCA's Summer 2005 Mosaic Television On Tsunami Response

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The response to survivors of the Dec. 26,
2004, tsunami by International Disaster Response of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ECLA) in partnership with
the United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India (UELCI) is the
subject of "Beyond Tsunami: Lutherans Respond," the Summer 2005
Mosaic Television release. The program, issued June 1, shows the
"ELCA disaster response in action," according to Tim Frakes,
Mosaic Television producer, ELCA Department for Communication.
Mosaic Television is a quarterly video program produced by
the ELCA Department for Communication. It is intended for
educational use in a variety of congregational settings including
Sunday school classes, adult forums, youth groups, women's and
men's groups, new member classes, congregational council,
committee and other organizational meetings.
Frakes hosted the program on location along the eastern
coast of India.
The 30-minute program emphasizes how ELCA International
Disaster Response can "act quickly and effectively because
Lutherans in America have a strong long-term relationship with
the United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India," according to
Frakes.
The video features the importance of the ELCA's relationship
with the UELCI by showing how the two churches work together to
help people in their communities. ELCA International Disaster
Response partnerships and long-term relationships allow the ELCA
to be "on-site before, during and after a disaster strikes,"
Frakes reported.
"In this video we learn that strong, long-term relationships
with global partners like the church in India are what make ELCA
Disaster Response so effective," Frakes said in the program.
"The ELCA finds reliable, qualified, local experts who make
informed decisions within their own communities."
"We respond with partners who are members of that community.
Sometimes they are a Lutheran church in the area," said Kathryn
Sime, director, ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal. "We
respond as a member of that community working for the community
resource and the assets and gifts of that community."
Through the support of Lutherans, the ELCA has given
survivors of the tsunami help and hope by providing counseling,
food, clothes, utensils, and much more. They are "helping and
bringing hope to those who have been impacted," said Heather L.
Feltman, director, ELCA Domestic Disaster Response and Lutheran
Disaster Response.
In the video survivors of the disaster tell their own
tsunami survival experiences, and some explain what is happening
now in their communities.
"Beyond Tsunami: Lutherans Respond" can be viewed for free
on the Web. It is also available in VHS and DVD formats. Some
ELCA colleges and universities carry Mosaic Television on local
cable channels.
Each issue includes a user's guide with a synopsis of each
segment and discussion questions. Annual subscriptions are
available through the ELCA Department for Communication.
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Specific information about Mosaic Television subscriptions
and the content of each issue are available on the Web at
http://www.ELCA.org/mosaic/ or by contacting the ELCA Department
for Communication by phone at 1-800-638-3522, ext. 6009.

Editors: Digital photographs that accompany "Beyond Tsunami:
Lutherans Respond" can be requested by e-mail at mosaic@ELCA.org
or by phone 1-800-638-3522, ext. 6009.

* Kirsten H. Boettner is a senior communication major at Luther
College, Decorah, Iowa. This summer she is an intern with the
ELCA News Service.

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