California Fires Update

Dear friends in Christ,

As I write this report fires in southern California have destroyed at least 1,500 homes and caused 17 deaths, 15 in California and two in Mexico. More than 500,000 acres have burned - about 780 square miles, roughly three-quarters the area of Rhode Island. As I write this report, the fires in southern California are still not under control, and more destruction and heartbreak are sure to come.

As I write this report, Lutheran Disaster Response, a cooperative ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, is responding. LDR will manage this unfolding disaster through Lutheran Social Services of Southern California (John Clausen, President). Andrea Muir serves as the LDR-SCal disaster response coordinator.

Major areas are still evacuated. Even Andrea had to be evacuated when flames appeared across the street from her home. It may take several days to bring the fires under control. How long it will take to extinguish them is beyond speculation. LDR is working with the LCMS Pacific Southwest District (Larry Stoterau, President) and the ELCA Pacifica Synod (Murray Finck, Bishop). LDR is also working with the American Red Cross, FEMA, and will also participate in interfaith efforts as they are organized in affected communities by Church World Service.

"Everything is smoky, everything is ashen. My backyard looks like Pompei," said John Clausen. Joy Jones, the Administrative Assistant to President Stoterau, said that although she lives some sixty miles from the fires, she had a half-inch of ash on her patio.

Many of you are asking how you can help. We are just beginning to know the needs of this disaster. You can help the church in this response:

>> Through your prayers. The prayers of God's people are far more powerful than these roaring fires. Your prayers will sustain those who do not know if they will be returning to intact homes or piles of ashes, destroyed neighborhoods, lost treasured items. And they will sustain firefighters and care providers, those who are responding, providing a helping hand and words of faith and encouragement.

>> Through your generosity. Your contributions will provide the resources needed to assist with immediate emergency needs, cleanup provisions, long term and unmet needs, as well as spiritual/emotional counseling.

Please send your contributions to:

ELCA DOMESTIC Disaster Response - Western Fires
PO Box 71764 Chicago, Illinois 60694-1764
Credit card gift line: 1-800-638-3522
Credit card gifts via the web: www.elca.org/disaster;

LC-MS World Relief and Human Care - Western Fires
P.O. Box 66861
St. Louis, MO 63166-9810
Credit card gift line: 1-888-930-4438.

Yours in Christ,

Gil Furst

Gilbert B. Furst (written on October 28, 2003 at 4:50 p.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