A year later, ELCA members remain committed to restoring Minot, N.D.

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Souris River began rising June 22, 2011, in
Minot, N.D. Five days later it would crest nearly 13 feet above the flood
stage, driving 12,000 people from their homes and damaging more than
4,100 homes and businesses, including four church buildings of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) -- three in Minot and one
in nearby Burlington, N.D.
One year later, ELCA members and congregations there are still in
the process of rebuilding. ELCA Disaster Response remains in the region,
coordinating volunteers and meeting both short-term and long-term
recovery needs.
"We're ecstatic to be able to talk about the outpouring of support
from around the country," said the Rev. Mark E. Narum, bishop of the ELCA
Western North Dakota Synod, but, he admits, "A year later lives are still
pretty bruised."
Of the six ELCA congregations in Minot, three were harmed by the
floods. In the flood's immediate aftermath, affected congregations were
paired up with the unaffected congregations for support and assistance in
rebuilding and recovery.
"Right as the flood waters were approaching, Bishop Narum called the
six congregations together," said the Rev. Michon Weingartner of
Augustana Lutheran Church in Minot.
Augustana lost the use of their building entirely. The congregation
is currently paired with Bread of Life Lutheran Church in Minot, where
they share office space while they hold worship services at Minot State
University in Minot. Weingartner calls the partnership "very helpful."
The congregation plans to hold services back at its building on June 24.
Members of Christ Lutheran Church in Minot have just recently moved
back to their space, but Narum said, "They're using folding chairs. The
building is really stripped out."
First Lutheran Church in Minot, where damage was less extensive, has
moved entirely back into their building.
Peace Lutheran Church in Burlington is also back in its space but is
unable to use its basement where youth events and Sunday school were
held. Mission Builders, an organization dedicated to constructing and
rebuilding ELCA facilities, is on site there to construct an above-ground
addition to house those events.
According to Narum, the two biggest needs in the rebuilding effort
now are "prayer and finances."
When donated funds were distributed to congregations at the ELCA
Western North Dakota Synod's recent Synod Assembly, "there were a lot of
tears in the eyes," Narum said. "I think that the members of those
congregations would say the money is great. It makes a huge difference,
but I would also say that it's the partnership and the love and the care
that's expressed through that money that is equally important."
Narum estimates that the floods caused nearly $3 million in damage
to the four affected ELCA church buildings. In addition to the church buildings affected by the flooding, ELCA members are also working to rebuild their homes and lives. About 10 percent of the households affected had flood insurance, making financing a hurdle in the reconstruction, said Narum.
ELCA Disaster Response has also continued to be active in the area. In collaboration with Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota and other faith-based and secular organizations, it is still working in the region to provide long-term support and services.
The ELCA is playing a vital role in Hope Village, a one-stop service
center where volunteers can eat and sleep and access supplies,
assignments and transportation as they continue mucking out flooded homes
and working to eradicate mold.
The ELCA Western North Dakota Synod is also active in Camp Noah, a
day camp for first- through sixth-graders that helps children work
through their feelings about the disaster experience.
To commemorate the anniversary of the flooding, all of the ELCA
congregations in Minot will be holding special services. The town will
also be hosting the Weekend of Hope, a celebration culminating in the
reopening of the area's largest public park.
It is estimated that the complete redevelopment and restoration of
the area could take nearly nine years to complete, and ELCA Disaster
Response remains committed to meeting those needs.
"The whole city is seeming to come together this coming weekend to
celebrate where we have come and where we hope to go," said
Weingartner. "There's a lot of excitement and energy about moving
forward."
For more information about ELCA Disaster Response, visit
www.ELCA.org/disaster.