ELCA NEWS SERVICE
August 11, 2007
ELCA Assembly Receives Report from Lutheran Disaster Response 07-CWA-050-MRC
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In response to the 2005 hurricane season, particularly to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) contributed more than $27 million to support disaster response efforts, reported Heather L. Feltman, executive director, Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR), at the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly Aug. 11.
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, met here Aug. 6-11 at Navy Pier's Festival Hall. About 2,000 people participated, including 1,069 ELCA voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly is "Living in God's Amazing Grace: Thanks be to God!"
"While many in the country may have already forgotten or want the nation to forget this tragedy and move on, some of us recognize that a great human tragedy is still unfolding," said Feltman. "Many persons -- men, women, children, elderly, disabled, poor, low-income and middle-income families -- have been emotionally, physically, psychologically and economically devastated. And as this church, we must not be part of a society lulled into forgetfulness."
In the past two years more than 33,000 Lutheran volunteers have given over 1.5 million hours of their time, "meaning that more than $29.1 million worth of in-kind service has been given by Lutherans to a single response. This is unprecedented," said Feltman.
The efforts of Lutheran volunteers have help put more than 9,000 families back into their homes, and more than 8,000 families have received comprehensive case management services both in the U.S. Gulf Coast and across the country through LDR efforts and participation in the Katrina Aid Consortium, she said.
LDR has provided more than $600,000 to fund work and response to 18 other disasters across the country in the past year, Feltman said. The generosity of the church has allowed congregations, synods and social ministry organizations to focus on preparing for future disasters. In 2007 more than $800,000 has been disbursed in disaster-preparedness grants for 2007, she said.
Feltman ended her report to the assembly with a challenge to be "mindful of the great need that still exists along the Gulf Coast and other parts of the country. Volunteers are still very much welcomed and encouraged. Through our long-term commitment, we will continue to see lives restored." - - -
Information about the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly can be found at http://www.ELCA.org/assembly/ on the Web.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org http://www.elca.org/news