wfn.org | ABCUSA: LONG-TERM PASTORAL CARE FOR TERRORIST VICTIMS IS LIKELY

[RICH.SCHRAMM@ecunet.org]

AMERICAN BAPTIST NEWS SERVICE 
Office of Communication  
American Baptist Churches USA 
P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851 
Phone: (610)768-2077 / Fax: (610)768-2320 
Web: www.abc-usa.org
Richard W. Schramm, Director 
 E-mail: richard.schramm@abc-usa.org

LONG-TERM PASTORAL CARE IS A LIKELY FOCUS 
OF ECUMENICAL OUTREACH 
TO VICTIMS OF TERRORIST ATTACKS IN NEW 
YORK, VIRGINIA AND PENNSYLVANIA
 American Baptist-supported ecumenical responses 
to victims of last week's terrorist attacks most likely will 
focus, at least in part, on necessary long-term pastoral 
care assistance.
 Kenneth George, director of Direct Human 
Services for American Baptist National Ministries, met with 
other members of the Church World Service Emergency 
Response Program Executive Committee via conference 
call late last week to discuss the tragedies in New York, 
Virginia and Pennsylvania.  They concluded that long-term 
pastoral care assistance may be the most important, and 
necessary, ministry American Baptists and their 
ecumenical partners can undertake.
 George cautioned that nothing definitive had been 
determined.  "The situation at this point is fluid," he said.  
"Things could change as other needs are identified."
 George said that an initial grant of $5,000 in One 
Great Hour of Sharing emergency funds has been 
designated to assist churches in the Metro New York 
region which have families or individuals impacted by the 
World Trade Center destruction.   
 New Jersey Chaplains Leon Bell and Rodger Harris 
(a New York/New Jersey Port Authority chaplain) have 
been deployed in New York City.  According to the Rev. 
George A. Langhorne, director of Chaplaincy Services for 
National Ministries, four American Baptist military 
chaplains were on the scene at the Pentagon as of late 
last week.  
 Langhorne noted that other chaplains are being 
deployed and that reserve forces have been called to 
active duty in response to needs created by the attacks.
 American Baptists wishing to support relief efforts 
in the aftermath of the deadly terrorist attacks Tuesday 
can do so through normal channels--One Great Hour of 
Sharing (line 7 of the Monthly Report of Mission Support), 
designating contributions "OGHS-Relief Fund for Victims 
of Terrorist Attacks."  Those wishing to contribute online 
can do so through a special OGHS Fund established to 
help the victims and their families.  This can be done by 
accessing the "American Baptist Missions" page of the 
ABCUSA Web site-www.abc-usa.org.

WFN0918A.TXT

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