by Katherine R. Hinck*, ELCA News Service
Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) recovery efforts have begun in
and around El Paso, Texas, after more than 15 inches of rain
recently flooded the area and caused mud slides and falling
rocks, said Heather L. Feltman, LDR executive director, in an
Aug. 14 report. LDR is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America and Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
LDR is working with Lutheran Social Services of the South (LSSS),
Austin, Texas, to assess the unmet needs in the area, Feltman
said. Border Interfaith, an Industrial Areas Foundation network,
has been doing initial assessments and organizing clean-up
efforts. Peace Lutheran Church, El Paso, and Shepherd of the
Valley Lutheran Church, El Paso, are members of this interfaith
network, she said.
Some 1,500 homes have been damaged or destroyed, Feltman said.
David Yarborough, LSSS senior vice president, reported that
damage to Lutheran members' homes, as well as church buildings,
seems to be minimal.
*Katherine R. Hinck is a senior journalism and religion major at
Augustana College, Sioux Falls, S.D. This summer she is an
intern with the ELCA News Service.
- - -
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
