California Fires Update

Dear friends in Christ,

"Are you still responding to those fires in southern California," Christy Yoder (LDR/LSS Southern California Staff) was asked. "Yes," she replied. "In fact, some people are still sifting through the ashes of their homes, looking for items they might reclaim!"

Indeed, Lutheran Disaster Response (a cooperative ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod) is nearly six months into its response, and foresees a long-term involvement in the recovery efforts stretching far ahead.

Travel to southern California (to San Bernardino, San Diego, and Fullerton) was part of my March travels. The situation in California is difficult at best. It has been over a decade since this area has had to work together on a major disaster response, so getting organized to respond is challenging. Last October approximately 750,000 acres burned and over 3,600 houses were destroyed. I met with Harry Noftsker, FEMA, who is helping to bring a variety of organizations together to work on long-term recovery.

Indeed, some people literally are still sifting ashes, hoping to find wedding rings and other lost items. People are feeling frustrated, and many unsubstantiated rumors abound. To date LDR has sent grants totaling $199,654 to LSS-Southern California (John Clawson, CEO) to provide case management, emergency grants, and to help with unmet needs. Our commitment is to be present for the long haul, which could mean a number of years.

I have been working with Toni Ethridge, or the California-Pacific United Methodist conference. She has sent LDR a total of $30,000 to help subsidize the hiring of case managers. As I met with Toni, we agreed to co-sponsor a caseworker to begin work with the San Pasqual Tribal Council to reach out to Native Americans who were affected by the fires.

This week Kevin Walton was hired to serve as LDR-SCal coordinator for these fires, replacing Andrea Muir who resigned earlier this month. Kevin has recently served the church in its response to fires in Colorado. He was the LDR coordinator in the Durango area, and comes to this ministry with expertise and experience.

As we approach the end of Lent, please keep our southern California brothers and sisters in your prayers and in you hearts. For them new life is slowly rising from the ashes. And let us remember all God's people who are suffering the loss of life and property, that in us and through us God's strength and presence may be known.

Your generosity will help sustain our Lutheran presence to bring help and hope in the name of Jesus Christ.

To contribute:

ELCA DOMESTIC Disaster Response - "Southern California 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
P.O. Box 66861
St. Louis, MO 63166-9810
Credit card gift line: 1-888-930-4438

ON A PERSONAL NOTE: I have announced my retirement, effective July 1. I will have more to say about this decision later. It is a privilege to serve the church in this very special ministry of word and service. Please pray for those who are willing to offer themselves to lead this ministry, as well as for those who will choose my successor.

Yours in Christ,

Gil Furst

Gilbert B. Furst (written on March 31, 2004 at 11:00 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