ELCA News Blog
September 1, 2006
New book offers Lutheran commentary on Hurricane Katrina, aftermath
by John R. Brooks, ELCA News Service
A new book, "Voices of Faith in the Midst of the Storm," published by Future With Hope Press, Baton Rouge, La., contains a series of reflections, journals and sermons from pastors and lay leaders serving south Louisiana congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). This area, along with the Mississippi and Alabama Gulf coasts, was hit hard by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005.
"Voices of Faith" was edited by the Rev. John McCullough Bade, Baton Rouge. The collection is organized by themes including "The Exodus," "Passing Through the Waters," "Exile" and "Restoration." In the introduction Bade writes: "In the reporting of the devastation and destruction of Katrina, the media were often heard saying, 'This was a storm of biblical proportions.' I'm not sure exactly what was meant by that phrase. Was it to mean that Katrina was on the magnitude of the great flood in Genesis which destroyed everything in its raging water? Was it an allusion to the biblical prophecies of destruction, or to the primordial pre-creation chaotic waters? Or was it perhaps a subtle acknowledgment that humanity is not ultimately in charge?"
Professional church leaders in south Louisiana provided copies of the book to members of the ELCA Conference of Bishops and ELCA Church Council, as well as individual members and congregations within the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod. Proceeds from book sales will go to assist with long-term recovery ministries related to the hurricane.
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