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Dear friends in Christ,
In Ecclesiastes 3:1 are the familiar words, "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven."
Persons interested in disaster responses know that certain disasters have "seasons." For example: hurricanes (June through November), tornadoes (March to July), spring floods, etc. Disasters often occur when seasons change.
We are now in transition from late winter into early spring. Early disasters have already occurred in Texas, New Mexico, Massachusetts, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. Lutheran Disaster Response (a cooperative ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod) awaits damage assessments from local coordinators.
In the "between" times, between winter and spring, LDR has been busy bringing people together. Here is some information about recent gatherings to strengthen LDR's ability to respond if and when disasters occur:
1. I met with Lutheran Social Services of Northern California's new president, Barbara Droher Kline, and disaster coordinator, Helen Knudson, to provide additional training to continue that agency's capacity to respond to northern California disasters.
2. I participated in Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota (Mark Peterson, president) "Early Responder Training." Led by LDR-MN coordinator (Melanie Josephson) and staff, this event enabled pastors and response partners learn new ways of working together.
3. I met with the revitalized LDR Missouri Team, coordinated by Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri (Alan Erdman, president). Leadership for disaster responses passed from Larry Gustafson to Jim Eckrich. This statewide gathering of pastors and lay leaders gave LDR-MO opportunity to strengthen its internal network as well as interface with state government and interfaith partners.
4. A disaster site visit to southern California fires enabled conversation with Lutheran Social Services in California (John Clawson, president) staff. LDR coordinator leadership passed from Andrea Muir to Kevin Walton. Kevin served as LDR coordinator in the Durango, Colorado, fires.
5. I presented two addresses in Connecticut, where New England pastors and lay leaders gathered for disaster response and world hunger workshops. Lutheran Social Services of New England (Edith Lohr, president) led workshops and guided discussions.
6. Ruth Reko (Lutheran Social Services in America) and I led met with
synod, district, and agency staff in Salisbury, North Carolina.
Lutheran Family Services in the Carolinas (Suzanne Wise, president),
Bishop Leonard Bolick (NC Synod), Sister Sally Hiller (Southeastern
District), Ron Rau (agency staff), George Strunk,
7. Ruth Reko and I traveled to Bedford, Pennsylvania, to meet with representatives from the Eastern District, Southwest PA, Southeast PA, and Allegheny Synods, Janet Panning (LDR-SWPa coordinator, with Liberty Lutheran Services, Bill Erat, president), and other pastors and staff members. One major outcome of gathering is the first step in putting together a coordinated statewide system for LDR in Pennsylvania.
8. Last week an ELCA and LCMS meeting was held. Attending: Matthew Harrison (executive director of LCMS World Relief and Human Care), Marie Kienker (deputy director of LCMS World Relief and Human Care), Rebecca Larson (executive director of ELCA Division for Church in Society), Ruth Reko (Lutheran Services in America), and myself. The goal was to reassess new strategic directions, to explore ways to continue, strengthen, and enhance this cooperative inter-Lutheran ministry. A commitment was made to reaffirm and strengthen LDR as a way members of both Lutheran church bodies can work together in bringing help and hope to disaster survivors.
9. A national LDR meeting is being planned for the end of June. This gathering will bring together agency presidents, disaster coordinators, and interfaith partners from across the country for training and networking.
This report is long on names and meetings - not very sensational - but pointing out that one of LDR's "seasons" is preparation and strengthening networks, involving many key leaders, both within our Lutheran community and with our ecumenical partners.
Soon the country will head into the season of severe weather. Some tornadoes, floods, and fires have already occurred. When disasters strike this year, it is vital that the church be ready to respond in effective and efficient ways. Ultimately, disaster response ministries are your ministries. You enable the church to reach out with prayers, financial support, and volunteers to disaster survivors, whether they are in the next state or in your community. Thank you for your on-going support!
Yours in Christ,
Gil Furst
Gilbert B. Furst (written on April 19, 2004 at 4:00 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