wfn.org | LCMS - Wildfires claim buildings at camp, 4 family homes

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod
Board for Communication Services

LCMSNews -- No. 40
July 17, 2002

Wildfires claim buildings
at camp, 4 family homes

Buildings at a Lutheran camp and the homes of four Missouri Synod families 
have been reported lost in the monster western wildfires that started last 
month, but no members are known to be hurt or killed.

The fires, which are now contained, have destroyed about 619,700 acres in 
Arizona and 364,300 acres in Colorado. In Arizona, more than 400 homes were 
lost to fire, and 57 in Colorado.

Lutheran Valley Retreat (LVR) near Woodland Park, Colo., lost six buildings 
and five trailers to a fire named the "Hayman" fire, forcing the retreat 
center to cancel its summer programs.

In Overgaard, Ariz., the "Chediski" fire came to within a quarter mile of 
Faith Lutheran Church, and the "Missionary Ridge" fire approached St. Paul 
Lutheran Church, Durango, Colo.

The Chediski fire claimed two homes of Faith members.  The other two member 
homes, located in the areas of Woodland Park and Glenwood Springs, Colo., 
were destroyed by the Hayman and "Coal Seam" fires, respectively.

The LVR buildings and the homes lost are primarily covered by insurance.

According to Johanna Olson, an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 
(ELCA) representative with Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR), there are no 
reports of losses from ELCA congregations in the areas of the fires.

LDR, a cooperative ministry of LCMS World Relief and ELCA Domestic Disaster 
Response, is working to assess how Lutherans may help those affected by the 
wildfires, said Rev. Gilbert Furst, director of LDR.

It is too early to know the total needs of those whose homes and belongings 
were lost in the wildfires, according to Barb Hoffmann, manager of grant 
administration for LCMS World Relief.

"We are in constant contact with the districts with congregations in the 
affected areas, to stay on top of needs as we become aware of them," 
Hoffmann said.

Faith, Overgaard, and another Synod congregation, Shepherd of the 
Mountains, Pinetop, Ariz., are near Show Low, which received national 
attention when it was threatened by fire. Both congregations are in the 
English District.

That district's president, Rev. David Ritt, said, "We are grateful to God 
that He spared our two congregations from the devastating fires."

Rocky Mountain District President Roger Krause expressed thanks for those 
who are offering help for people who lost their homes in Colorado.

LCMS World Relief is accepting donations to help meet short- and long term 
needs of those affected by the Western wildfires.

Contributions earmarked "Wildfire Relief" may be sent to LCMS World Relief, 
P.O. Box 66861, St. Louis, MO 63166-9810.  Or, call the credit-card gift 
line at (888) 930-4438.

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