CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA) are offering prayers and financial contributions to
support immediate relief efforts among communities affected by Super
Typhoon Haiyan that struck the central Philippines Nov. 8. The typhoon is
the one of the most powerful storms recorded, causing massive destruction
and forcing more than 700,000 people to flee their homes.
Lutheran Disaster Response, in partnership with Action for Churches
Together Alliance, will work to assess immediate and long-term needs and
provide survivors with food, water, clothing, shelter, medicine and other
materials. The ELCA is a member of the alliance.
“The ELCA is blessed to have strong working partners in the
Philippines,” said Daniel Rift, director for the ELCA World Hunger and
Disaster Appeal. ”Our prayers are with all communities being battered by
this storm.”
Although reports from impacted areas are not available as the
typhoon passes over the Philippines, Rift says, “We are sure that the
planning and preparation has meant that many lives have been saved and
families helped.”
“Even as our friends in the Philippines are concentrating on how to
make it through the next few days, we are thinking of how to walk with
them in the weeks and months ahead,” said Rift. “We are encouraging gifts
for both the short- and long-term (recovery efforts). Few other
organizations but the church takes on this longer term, monumental task.”
As the typhoon passes over the Philippines and into the South China
Sea, it is expected to pick up speed and head toward Vietnam.
“It looks likely that Vietnam may see high winds and waves in a
couple of days. For that reason we are encouraging gifts for the 'Pacific
Typhoon Response’ of Lutheran Disaster Response,” said Rift.
Financial gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response will be used 100
percent to support relief efforts for all survivors impacted by the
typhoon.
Worship resources are available at http://www.ELCA.org/Our-Faith-In-
Action/Responding-to-the-World/Lutheran-Disaster-Response/Congregational-
Resources.aspx and the ELCA’s response at http://www.ELCA.org/Our-Faith-
In-Action/Responding-to-the-World/Lutheran-Disaster-Response/Disaster-
responses/Ongoing-Responses/Pacific-Typhoon.aspx
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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
