wfn.org | Lutherans Participate in Recovery Work in Maryland, Michigan

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

May 2, 2002

LUTHERANS PARTICIPATE IN RECOVERY WORK IN MARYLAND, MICHIGAN
02-106-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR), a ministry of
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Lutheran
Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), is participating in recovery efforts after
a tornado killed three people in Maryland and after floods destroyed
homes in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
     On April 29 a tornado "tore through the Maryland community of La
Plata," said the Rev. Gilbert B. Furst, LDR director.
     "There were two fatalities in La Plata, and one in Prince
Frederick, Calvert County.  The Charles County Sheriff's Office reported
that 95 people were injured," Furst said.   The tornado also damaged or
destroyed about 100 homes in La Plata, a town with 6,000 residents.
     Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area is managing
the LDR response in La Plata.  The ELCA Metropolitan Washington, D.C.,
Synod and LCMS Southeastern District are participating in LDR recovery
efforts there.
     "A record seasonal snow pack, ice jams, three inches of rainfall"
and warm temperatures during this spring season caused rivers and
streams to reach flood stages in Michigan, said Furst.
     Some of the "most affected cities" in Michigan were Ironwood and
Wakefield, Furst reported.  In Ironwood, 27 houses were damaged and five
destroyed.  In Wakefield, 80 houses were damaged and 33 were destroyed,
he said.
     "Local Lutheran congregations have been at the forefront,
providing meals for people evacuated from their homes and offering
pastoral services to their communities," Furst said.
     The Rev. Joyce Heintz, All Saints Lutheran Church, Wakefield, told
Furst "that people are returning to their homes.  Most electricity and
gas service have been restored.  Now, the issues of loss and grief need
to be addressed."
     Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, along
with the ELCA Northern Great Lakes Synod and LCMS Northern Wisconsin
District, are managing LDR efforts in Michigan.
-- -- --

DOMESTIC DISASTERS:

Editors: When listing organizations receiving funds for aid to 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, IL  60694-1764
800-638-3522

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html