5.14.2008 LCMS News
THE LUTHERAN CHURCH Missouri Synod
May 14, 2008 .................... LCMSNews -- No. 30
LCMS helps churches, school hit by 'Mother's Day' tornadoes
LCMS World Relief and Human Care awarded initial emergency grants to two Synod congregations with members and facilities affected by tornadoes that tore through Oklahoma, Missouri, and Arkansas the night of May 10.
The Mother's Day weekend twisters there left at least 23 people dead (16 in southwest Missouri alone) and a 74-mile swath of leveled buildings and splintered trees. Other weekend tornadoes inflicted severe damage in Georgia, although no LCMS congregations or members have reported injuries or damage from that line of storms.
Among those killed was Tyler Casey, a 21-year-old Seneca, Mo., volunteer firefighter and grandson of Joanne Hinz, who is a member of First Lutheran Church, Neosho, Mo. Casey died of injuries caused when his truck got caught in a tornado Saturday as he was out warning people about the storm's approach. Missouri Governor Matt Blunt later ordered that flags in three counties be flown at half-staff in Casey's honor.
News agencies report that it has been 10 years since twisters have caused as many deaths in the United States as those so far in 2008.
At least two homes of other First Lutheran Church, Neosho, members were completely destroyed by the Mother's Day weekend storms, with more losses anticipated as assessments continue. No severe injuries have been reported among members.
LCMS World Relief and Human Care awarded the congregation an initial $1,000 emergency grant to help with members' needs and to purchase food, water, and blankets for a community shelter First Lutheran was preparing to operate at its facilities.
The Synod's mercy arm also awarded an initial $1,000 emergency grant for members' needs to St. John Lutheran Church and School in Stuttgart, Ark., after a tornado blew the roof off the school and caused relatively minor damage at the church several blocks away.
The St. John school -- with 102 students in pre-kindergarten through 7th grade -- will finish its year at the church's parish hall.
Damages to the Stuttgart church and school properties are expected to be covered by insurance.
Although no St. John members or school families lost their homes, many reported extensive property damage. Representatives from the Synod's Laborers For Christ program were due in town by May 14 to help with damage assessment.
Funds for the Stuttgart congregation are earmarked to help church and school families. For instance, one family with a child who has diabetes needs a generator to keep insulin refrigerated until power can be restored.
Rev. Glenn Merritt, director of disaster response with LCMS World Relief and Human Care, said May 12 that attempts were still being made to contact other LCMS congregations in the storm-affected areas, including St. John Lutheran Church, Purdy, Mo.
He added that donations to the Synod's mercy arm are vital to its ability to help LCMS districts and congregations respond to needs among their members and communities after disasters such as the Mother's Day weekend tornadoes.
Mail donations earmarked "Tornado Relief 2008" to LCMS World Relief and Human Care, P.O. Box 66861, St. Louis, MO 63166-6861. To give via the secure credit-card gift line, call (888) 930-4438. To donate online, go to http://givenowlcms.org.
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