ELCA offers prayers, worship resources for survivors of spring storms

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
has made worship resources available May 21 in response to recent severe
storms across the Midwest. Through Lutheran Disaster Response, ELCA
members and congregations are supporting tornado survivors in partnership
with local Lutheran affiliates and ELCA synods.
In a letter to congregations the Rev. Michael K. Girlinghouse,
bishop of the ELCA Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod, asked members to pray for
affected communities and all those involved in recovery efforts.
“Over the last two days, we have watched in horror and awe as the
fury of nature has devastated communities in central Oklahoma,” said
Girlinghouse. “Tornadoes swept through Carney, Little Axe and Shawnee on
Sunday evening and through Moore on Monday, destroying homes, businesses
and lives. We weep with those who lost loved ones in Moore and with those
who are still waiting to find out if their loved ones are okay. The
deaths of children in their elementary school are particularly troubling.”
A tornado in Moore, Okla., was part of a May 18-19 storm system that
swept across Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. According to
news reports, 24 people are confirmed dead with 20 in Moore and four in
Oklahoma City. The tornado, which traveled on the ground for 20 miles,
demolished an elementary school and destroyed hundreds of homes and
businesses. Search-and-rescue teams continue to search for survivors and
assess the extent of the damage.
“I have always been convinced that God gathers us in communities
exactly for times like these. As Genesis tells us, it is not good for us
to be alone,” Girlinghouse wrote in his letter. “As we support and care
for one another through times of tragedy and disaster God’s presence,
love, support and mercy are experienced and shared. God is with us as we
are with one another in God’s name. We are the body of Christ for one
another.”
Two ELCA congregations in Kansas were impacted by tornadoes May 19.
Zion Lutheran Church in Hollenberg, Kan., and Good Shepherd Lutheran in
Washington, Kan., both sustained damage to church property. No one was
injured in the storms.
“Both churches had the hand of God protecting them,” said Judy Hill,
an ELCA rostered lay leader who serves both congregations.
“We’re working with our synods and local partners to provide
assistance for long-term recovery to help those impacted by these tragic
storms,” said the Rev. Michael Stadie, director for domestic Lutheran
Disaster Response work.
ELCA worship resources available at http://www.ELCA.org/Growing-In-
Faith/Worship.aspx and information about Lutheran Disaster Response is
available at http://www.ELCA.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Responding-to-the-
World/Lutheran-Disaster-Response/eAlert.aspx.