wfn.org | Lutherans Volunteer to Assist in Flood Cleanup

[ELCANEWS@ELCASCO.ELCA.ORG]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

May 2, 1997

"THE LUTHERANS ARE HERE"
97-17-050-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- "`The Lutherans are here' is usually what
people say as Lutheran Disaster Response provides its ministry of
hope and hands-on response in disastrous situations," said the
Rev. Gilbert B. Furst, associate director for the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America's Domestic Disaster Response.  And
more Lutherans are on the way as volunteers from across the
country are called to assist in the cleanup and recovery efforts
along the Red River Valley.
     Lutheran Disaster Response, a joint ministry of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Lutheran Church-
Missouri Synod, has issued $200,000 in initial grants for
emergency response in the flood areas of Minnesota and North and
South Dakota.  It will use 100 percent of designated funds for
flood relief efforts.  "Emergency equipment, generators, sump
pumps and heaters have been purchased and are in use in
endangered areas," said the Rev. Leon A. Phillips, executive
director for Lutheran Disaster Response.
     MINNESOTA:  The Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota is
managing relief efforts and staff in the Montevideo-Granite Falls
area, Breckenridge, Ada and Crookston, with the Crookston office
scheduled to move to East Grand Forks as soon as possible.  "A
volunteer coordinator will be based in Moorehead," reported
Phillips.  "Provision of emergency supplies continues, as does
counseling.  Arrangements are now ready for outside volunteers to
help with cleanup," he said.  The statewide coordinator for LSS
Minnesota is Melanie Josephson.
     NORTH DAKOTA:  Volunteer coordinators for the Lutheran
Social Services of North Dakota based in Fargo will oversee
hundreds of cleanup volunteers, equipment and supplies.  "Initial
cleanup volunteers can now be used in many places, including
Fargo," said Phillips.  The statewide coordinator for LSS North
Dakota is Bonnie Turner.
     SOUTH DAKOTA:  "Many areas of South Dakota are also affected
by the flood," Phillips reported, "and there are particular needs
in the agricultural and rural communities."  The statewide
coordinator for the Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota is
the Rev. Raymond A. Engh in Sioux Falls.
     The Lutheran Disaster Response is present in "the outpouring
of prayers and financial support from Lutheran brothers and
sisters across the country. The mission of Lutheran Disaster
Response is to help people recover from disasters as they live
through the different stages of chaos to recovery, as they live
through the different phases of grief and loss," Furst said.
     The Rev. Foster R. McCurley Jr., Mohnton, Pa., and others
will lead forums to help pastors and other care givers in grief
ministry.  McCurley is co-author of the book, "Making Sense Out
of Sorrow."
     Through the ELCA's Domestic Disaster Response, emergency
grants are being provided to "make sure salaries are paid for
pastors and other full-time church workers," said Phillips.
"Congregations will receive grants to meet essential expenses and
provide emergency discretionary grants for pastors in flooded
areas."
     The ELCA's Board of Pensions will allow congregations to
postpone their monthly employee benefit payments as they help
their communities recover from the area flooding in Minnesota and
the Dakotas.
     "This grace period helps Lutheran congregations focus on
flood recovery and reviving their communities without the worry
of paying bills," said John G. Kapanke, president of the
Minneapolis-based pensions board.
     The ELCA Board of Pensions administers pension, health,
disability and survivor benefits to 48,000 pastors, lay workers,
retired members and their families, for 11,000 congregations and
other ELCA-affiliated organizations worldwide.
     Lutheran Brotherhood, a fraternal benefit society in
Minneapolis, will match up to $500,000 in contributions by
individuals and organizations for flood relief.  One hundred
percent of the donations will be distributed to flood relief
efforts in Minnesota and the Dakotas.
     Aid Association for Lutherans, a fraternal benefit society
based in Appleton, Wis., has allocated up to $600,000 in disaster
relief to help victims of the flooding.  The funds will be used
to match aid money raised locally by members of AAL volunteer
groups called "branches."
     "`The Lutherans are here' indeed, already providing a
spiritual support, financial assistance, and promising ongoing
resources to meet the needs from the catastrophic blizzards and
floods," said Furst.

CLEANUP VOLUNTEERS CONTACT:

North Dakota   -    Bonnie Turner       -    1-800-950-2901
South Dakota   -    Ray Engh            -    1-605-373-4224
Minnesota      -    Melanie Josephson   -    1-612-642-5990

DOMESTIC DISASTERS

Editors: When listing organizations receiving funds for aid to
survivors of major disasters including the United States, Puerto
Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, please include:

                   Lutheran Disaster Response
                         P.O. Box 71764
                     Chicago, IL  60694-1764
                          800-638-3522

For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html