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	October 27, 2005 .................... LCMSNews -- No. 70

	Responding to weary
	after Wilma's wallop

	By Kim Krull

	Florida's eighth hurricane in the past 15 months transformed one
LCMS church into a refuge for "absolutely weary" evacuees the same day
it turned another storm-battered church into a pile of rubble.

	Our Savior Lutheran Church, in Lake Worth, collapsed in the
125-mph winds of Hurricane Wilma, the Category 3 storm that darkened the
Sunshine State on Oct. 24.

	To the west in Port Charlotte, 17 members and neighbors of
Lutheran Church of the Cross rode out Wilma in that church's new
Fellowship and Ministry Center. Many of those evacuees suffered major
property damage in last year's Hurricane Charley and "were terrified
about what might happen this time," Pastor Kenneth Redmann said.

	"Our people are absolutely weary of all these hurricanes and on
the edge emotionally," Redmann said. "We gathered together because there
is strength in numbers; we could pray and call upon the Lord. You never
know for sure, but this is a brand-new structure that was built to be
safe."

	Wilma was blamed for at least 10 deaths in Florida and an
estimated $6-8 billion in devastation. Massive power outages and limited
cellular phone service hampered early damage reports from many LCMS
churches and schools.

	The state's southeastern coast was among the hardest-hit areas,
according to Rev. Carlos Hernandez, director, Districts and
Congregations, with LCMS World Relief/Human Care. Hernandez arrived in
Florida on Oct. 24 to offer pastoral care and begin needs assessments.

	"These people have been through so much, it is important to get
on the ground right away and offer our support," said Hernandez, who
planned to visit affected LCMS congregations with David Weidner,
executive director for Congregational Services and coordinator of
Disaster Response for the Synod's Florida-Georgia District. "We want to
bring some immediate relief to our hardest-hit churches."

	One such church was Our Savior in Lake Worth. Three previous
hurricanes had compromised the facility structurally, Weidner said,
although it continued to be used by the congregation. "There was a
problem with the beams, and the church was working with engineers," he
said. "They had been warned that (winds) over 75 mph would be a danger."

	According to a published report, a pulpit and a cross were among
the few objects left in the demolished church, built in 1962. "My life
is gone," Barbara McCrorie, 70, a church choir member told the "South
Florida Sun-Sentinel." "I just love this church. This is heartbreaking."

	No injuries were reported in connection with the church
collapse.

	Other early reports of Wilma-related damage, supplied by
Weidner, included:

	* In Key West, Rev. Mike Heidle and his family huddled behind
newly installed hurricane shutters in the Grace Lutheran Church
parsonage as the storm brought six inches of water into the home --
twice. The church lost windows; the school had some flooding.

	* In Delray Beach, Trinity Lutheran School lost most of its roof
shingles; high winds blew out windows in the second-story church
sanctuary.

	* Water blew into Shepherd of the Coast Lutheran Church, Fort
Lauderdale, after a large stained glass window was destroyed.

	"The members of the Florida-Georgia District are determined to
help one another in this time of need and to use this disaster as an
opportunity to witness to that love which nothing can overcome," said
Dr. Gerhard Michael, president of the Florida-Georgia District, as he
prepared to begin damage assessments in southeastern Florida on Oct. 25.

	Along with LCMS World Relief/ Human Care, other partners in the
hurricane-response effort include Lutheran Services Florida, Lutheran
Disaster Response, and Lutheran Counseling Services of Orlando. The
latter organization has been providing ongoing counseling to hurricane
victims since last summer.

	David Weidner agreed that many Floridians have grown hurricane
weary. "We know that in spite of these natural disasters, our God
remains faithful to us, and He will provide all that we need to recover
and rebuild our churches, homes, and communities," Weidner said. "Over
and over again, we are the recipients of His grace and mercy in Jesus
Christ as manifested through the loving response and help of his people
across the country."

	Rev. Matthew Harrison, executive director, LCMS World
Relief/Human Care, said that this unprecedented hurricane season has
created unprecedented needs for LCMS congregations, church workers and
their communities.

	"The generosity of our people also has been unprecedented,"
Harrison said. "We thank our supporters and our partners and ask that
they, please, continue to support recovery and rebuilding which will
continue for months, even years, to come."

	Because support for disaster relief work tends to reduce gifts
to important ongoing programs, Harrison also urged congregations to
consider including LCMS World Relief/Human Care in their annual budgets.

	Gifts for hurricane relief can be made out to LCMS World Relief
and Human Care and sent to LCMS World Relief/Human Care, P.O. Box 66861,
St. Louis, MO 63166-9810; designate checks for "Hurricane Relief 2005."
Or call the Credit Card Gift Line, (888) 930-4438, or visit
worldrelief.lcms.org <http://worldrelief.lcms.org>  and click the "Give
Now" button.

	***************************************

	If you have questions or comments about this LCMSNews release,
contact Joe Isenhower Jr. at joe.isenhower@lcms.org or (314) 996-1231,
or Paula Schlueter Ross at paula.ross@lcms.org or (314) 996-1230.

	***************************************

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