wfn.org | Director of disaster response ministry says Lutherans persevere

[<NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

>ELCA News Blog

>December 29, 2008  

Director of disaster response ministry says Lutherans persevere

>by Melissa Ramirez Cooper, ELCA News Service

According to the Rev. Kevin A. Massey, Lutherans have shown
courage, strength and perseverance in responding to the needs of
their neighbors in 2008.  Massey, director, Lutheran Disaster
Response, commented on the record-breaking year for U.S.
disasters in a Dec. 19 letter he wrote to members of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Lutheran
Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS).

At least 500 more tornadoes swept across the country in 2008 than
in 2007, Massey said.  Widespread flooding affected the Midwest
and, in some places, communities experienced 100-year and
500-year record flood levels.  In Iowa more than 40,000
households registered for assistance with the Federal Emergency
Management Agency.  "Late summer brought one of the most active
Atlantic hurricane seasons in recorded history.  For the first
time ever six consecutive named storms made landfall in the
United States, including the four distinct landfalls of
Tropical Storm Fay," he said.  An earthquake and wildfires also
affected Lutherans in 2008.

Lutheran Disaster Response is a collaborative ministry of the
ELCA and LCMS.  It coordinates volunteers for cleanup and
rebuilding efforts, provides emotional and spiritual care, and
distributes hardship grants to bring hope, healing and wholeness
to disaster survivors.

For information contact:

John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog