wfn.org | ELCA Synod Bishop to Visit Galveston, Survey Hurricane Damage

[<NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

Title: ELCA Synod Bishop to Visit Galveston, Survey Hurricane Damage
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

>September 26, 2008  

ELCA Synod Bishop to Visit Galveston, Survey Hurricane Damage
08-163-MRC

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- People are re-entering Galveston, Texas,
and it is "incredibly emotional," according to the Rev. Michael
W. Reinhart, bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA) Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod, Houston.  Along with
synod staff and others, Reinhart will travel to Galveston Sept.
26 to survey damage left behind from Hurricane Ike.  "We're
bringing generators, food and water," he said.

Most of the 122 congregations in the synod "have been
impacted in some way," reported Reinhart.  Church buildings have
sustained some structural damage, and "many of our members' homes
have been impacted," he said.

"There was water everywhere at First Lutheran Church,
Galveston.  The sanctuary, built higher than the rest of the
building, sustained water damage and about three to four feet of
water stood in the parish hall and offices," Reinhart said.
Founded in 1850, First Lutheran is the oldest church in the ELCA
Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod.

"We've had calls from across the country offering help, and
that has been very touching," said Reinhart.  "We're not ready to
house volunteers, to supply the kind of hospitality and housing
needed, but we're planning to work ecumenically to coordinate
volunteers and maximize our resources," he said.

Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR), a collaborative ministry
of the ELCA and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, will help
coordinate volunteers, said Reinhart.

At a Sept. 25 meeting of synod pastors, LDR staff
"emphasized that the goal is to alleviate the suffering of all,
not just Lutherans," said Reinhart.  He said the Rev. Kevin A.
Massey, LDR executive director, told pastors that LDR "serves by
need, not by creed.  And, that has become our evangelism purpose
in our disaster response efforts."

Reinhart said about 60 pastors of the synod attended the
meeting, along with staff of LDR and of Lutheran Social Services
of the South, Inc. (LSS of the South), Austin, Texas.  Staff of
LSS of the South shared information about insurance and self-
care.  The meeting took place at Peace Lutheran Church, Pasadena,
Texas.

During the meeting the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding
bishop, phoned in to "express love and concern on behalf of the
entire church (and to) share his hope that support is
forthcoming," said Reinhart.
- - -
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