September 11, 2003 Update

Dear friends in Christ,

Today, as I write this report, children at "Ground Zero" in lower Manhattan are reading the names of parents killed in the terrorist attacks. Today the words of Martin Luther's hymn, "Mitten wir im Leben sind," echo in my ears: "In the midst of life, we are surrounded by death. To whom shall we go for help and to find grace? To you, oh Lord, alone."

On this day, which has significantly changed our lives, our words cannot erase the power of death. But today our faith has a message that raises us up beyond death to new purpose and confidence.

Today our faith leads us to remember. We remember the enormous loss of life in New York, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania. We remember dust-covered firefighters climbing stairs to rescue people from burning towers. We remember exhausted emergency workers climbing huge piles of rubble searching for survivors. We remember pastors and chaplains offering words of hope or consolation to stunned and shocked survivors. We remember impromptu, hand-written notes of love and loss in city parks and firehouse doors. We remember congregations gathering for worship, and neighbors praying with neighbors. We remember offers of help and generous donations.

Today our faith leads us to rededication. Remembering how lives have been touched and changed by faithful acts of love, today is a day to rededicate ourselves to bringing faithful acts of love to others. Today is a day to express love to those nearest and dearest, to our families, friends, colleagues, neighbors, to those in sorrow, to those in need. Today our faith leads us to rededicate ourselves to the task of making the lives of those around us better and stronger and blessed in Jesus' name.

Today our faith leads us to resurrection. "I am the resurrection and the life," Jesus promises. "Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live; and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die." At many funerals in our congregations a lighted candle at the head of the coffin reminds us that when we are baptized we are baptized into our Lord's death and resurrection. Our baptismal faith in Christ makes it possible for us to change, to be given a new nature by God's grace, to be reborn each day. And that same faith also assures us at death that we are at rest with our Lord, with the promise of our own resurrection and life with God forever. Today, in the midst of life surrounded by death, our grief is tempered by the knowledge that God's word of life and victory in Jesus Christ is stronger than the forces of death.

On this day I want to express deepest thanks to thank you on behalf of thousands of people in New York, New Jersey, and Washington D.C. Your prayers and generosity enable Lutheran Disaster Response, the cooperative ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, to provide sustaining ministry, help and hope, to those directly impacted by September 11, 2001. As we remember that sad day, we also rededicate our church's ministries. Spiritual and emotional support is provided for caregivers and first responders. LDR-NY is working directly with the "9/11 Widows and Victims" organization. Project LIFE is providing "care" management to help hundreds of people connect to the myriad of available help and benefits and assistance. "New Ground" day camps again helped hundreds of children in New York and New Jersey process their feelings and emotions in a Biblical context. Tuition assistance for Lutheran schools is available to children whose parents lost jobs. Emergency cash assistance is provided to soup kitchens, food pantries, and programs run by Lutheran churches or organizations to help meet increased demand. Counseling continues for individuals, groups, and congregations.

This day, September 11, is an annual reminder that "In the midst of life, we are surrounded by death." It is a day to remember, to rededicate, and to celebrate resurrection. Because of your generosity, much ministry has been provided these past two years. Much more awaits to be done. God is here; God's people the church are here. And because of you, the church will be here for the long haul, providing compassion, help, and hope in the name of the Lord, in whom we find help and grace.

Yours in Christ,

Gil Furst

Gilbert B. Furst (written on Thursday September 11, 2003 at 10:50 a.m.). Director for ELCA Domestic Disaster Response (Division for Church in Society) and Lutheran Disaster Response (a cooperative ministry of the ELCA and LC-MS) 8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago 60631 PHONE: 773-380-2822 FAX: 773-380-2493 Please visit our new website