wfn.org | ELCA Synod Office Temporarily Relocates in Wake of Hurricane Ike

[<NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

Title: ELCA Synod Office Temporarily Relocates in Wake of Hurricane Ike
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

>September 15, 2008  

ELCA Synod Office Temporarily Relocates in Wake of Hurricane Ike
08-155-MRC

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In the wake of Hurricane Ike, the
Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America (ELCA), Houston, has temporarily moved
its office operation to St. Paul Lutheran Church of
Phillipsburg, Brenham (Phillipsburg), Texas, reported the
Rev. Michael W. Rinehart, bishop, ELCA Texas-Louisiana
Gulf Coast Synod.

Rinehart said synod staff continues to communicate with
pastors and others regarding the status of ELCA congregations
impacted by the hurricane.  The status of churches in
Galveston, Texas, will "not be known until the city is open,
which could be in another week," he said.

The ELCA Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod has 47,436
baptized members in 122 congregations.

Damage assessments along the U.S. Gulf Coast "are
nowhere near complete," said the Rev. Kevin A. Massey,
director, Lutheran Disaster Response -- a collaborative
ministry of the ELCA and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
"Volunteers are not needed at this time since resources
are scarce, particularly in Houston.  When we're able to
secure reliable places to house volunteers, we'll send
notice," he said.

Texas "continues to prioritize search and rescue efforts
and will do so until all citizens are accounted for," reported
Heather Neuroth Gatlin, vice president for disaster response,
Lutheran Social Services of the South, Inc., Austin, Texas.
"The state is also working on transitioning from re-entry
operations to recovery operations," and it "continues to work
on sheltering issues.  There are currently 284 shelters in
operation throughout the state with 37,790 citizens in those
shelters," she said.

Oak Island, Texas, "has basically been wiped off the map,"
said Gatlin.  The water system in Houston is not functional,
and residents there are being advised to boil water. Hospitals
in southeast Houston are not operational, she said.  Bridge
City and Orange, Texas, are some of the hardest hit areas, she
said.

The Rev. Ray Tiemann, bishop, ELCA Southwestern Texas Synod,
Seguin, reported that congregations in the synod have not
sustained much damage.  "There has been no electricity loss.
We're just waiting to help those along the Gulf Coast," he said.

Information and updates about ELCA Disaster Response are
posted at http://ELCA.org/disaster on the Web.
- - -
DOMESTIC DISASTERS
Editors: When listing organizations receiving funds to aid
survivors of major disasters inside the United States, Puerto
Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, please include:

ELCA Domestic Disaster Response, P.O. Box 71764, Chicago,
Illinois 60694-1764
Credit card gift line: 1-800-638-3522 
Credit card gifts via Internet: http://www.ELCA.org/disaster

For information contact:

John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog