wfn.org | [LCMSNews] California fires move toward church

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	October 29, 2003 .................... LCMSNews -- No. 121

	California fires move toward church, camp;
	some LCMS members have lost homes

	By Paula Schlueter Ross

	Although they've received most of their information by
word-of-mouth, staff at the Synod's Pacific Southwest District office in
Irvine, Calif., said Oct. 28 that, to their knowledge, no LCMS churches
or schools have been damaged by wildfires.

	But, at this writing, flames were moving through the San
Bernardino Mountains, heading straight for Mount Calvary Lutheran
Church, in Lake Arrowhead, and nearby Camp Arrowhead, a Lutheran
campground, according to district President Dr. Larry Stoterau.

	"Right now, it's sort of a helpless feeling because, until the
fires are over and we can assess the needs, there's not much we can do
except offer lots of prayers," Stoterau said.

	District staff have been calling churches and schools in
fire-threatened areas, trying to find out how they are faring, but have
been met with a lot of answering machines and busy signals, according to
Joy Jones, Stoterau's executive assistant.

	A lot of telephone lines are down and many people have been
evacuated from their homes and workplaces, Jones said, making it
difficult for the district to get information.

	To date, the fires had burned more than 500,000 acres, destroyed
more than 1,100 homes and killed at least 15 people in an area ranging
from Simi Valley to San Diego.

	Rev. David Keil, pastor of Ramona Lutheran Church, told district
officials that two families whose children attend the congregation's
school lost their homes in the fire.

	Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Poway was untouched, but four of
its member families are believed to have lost their homes in the fires,
according to Pastor Ken Roberts. Another four families, members of First
Lutheran Church in El Cajon, also may have lost their homes in the
blaze, according to Jones. And a family at First Lutheran Church,
Fontana, lost their home.

	Although the Pacific Southwest District office is not in danger,
ashes from fires burning miles away are in the air from time to time.

	"Ashes are falling and the sky is dark," said Jones. "We're all
coughing."

	Jones said her home is about 70 miles from the wildfires, but
there's about two inches of ash on her patio furniture. "I've never seen
anything like this," she said.

	Rev. Carlos Hernandez, director for districts and congregations
with LCMS World Relief and Human Care, was in California at press time,
contacting LCMS congregations there "to see how we can respond to them."

	Trinity Lutheran Church in Simi Valley was allowing evacuees
with motor homes to park on its lot, he said. Hernandez said he is
staying in contact with the Pacific Southwest District office, and
planned to visit congregations in affected areas later in the week to
help assess damages and assist with other needs.

	Stoterau said his office has e-mailed district congregations,
encouraging them to take up special offerings for fire victims at their
worship services.

	Donations may be sent to the district office in Irvine, or to
LCMS World Relief, P.O. Box 66861, St. Louis, MO 63166-9810. Please
earmark donations for "California Fires."

	Contributions also may made online through the LCMS Mission and
Ministry Catalog at catalog.lcms.org <http://catalog.lcms.org>	.

	****************************************

	If you have questions or comments about this LCMSNews release,
contact Joe Isenhower Jr. at joe.isenhower@lcms.org or (314) 996-1231,
or Paula Schlueter Ross at paula.ross@lcms.org or (314) 996-1230.

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