Dear friends in the Southeastern Synod:  

  

Southeastern Synod Bishop H. Julian Gordy, who has for the past week has been on a mission trip among the rural congregations in our companion synod, Iglesia Luterana Agustina de Guatemala (ILAG), was able to make contact with the synod office this afternoon. He has been monitoring the disaster situation as closely as possible and has received an up-to-date report.

  

He said, "Our fellow Lutherans here in Guatemala have been praying for the Southeastern Synod since they heard about the storms."

  

  

Sandra Braasch, Diaconal Minister and Synod Disaster Response Coordinator, reports that the Synod Disaster Preparedness and Response Task Force and Synod Volunteer Disaster Response Coordinators held conference calls today to report damage and rescue efforts.

  

Braasch states that the synod Disaster Response Coordinator for the Huntsville, AL area has been unable to gather any information regarding congregations there due to limited phone and electrical service.  Anyone with information regarding ELCA members or congregations in the Huntsville, AL area, please forward that information to sbraasch07@gmail.com immediately.   

  

Most other reports of damage to congregation buildings are minor; however, Trinity in Hixson, TN has lost part of the roof of their youth building.  They state they are "coping" with the issue.   Pastor Mark Borseth of Incarnation Mission in Harvest, AL, reports that the chapel of Ford's Chapel United Methodist in Harvest (where Incarnation began worshipping on Easter Sunday) was completely destroyed.  The people of Incarnation and Ford's Chapel plan to worship together in the damaged (but usable) main sanctuary Sunday.    

  

Braasch stresses that the Synod Disaster Response plan is being followed and disaster responders are still in the assessment phase. Emergency Response Management officials urge non-essential personnel to stay out affected areas until the all-clear is given.  

  

Information is being gathered and the Disaster Response Task Force is developing a database of volunteers and supplies available for donation.  This will allow the best use of synod resources once the recovery effort begins.   To be added to the database of volunteers and supplies, email sbraasch07@gmail.com

  

(Pictured, destruction at Christ Lutheran Church in Cullman, AL)  

   

  

  

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- As volunteer disaster response coordinators throughout the Southeastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) began assessing damage from the April 27 tornados, Lutheran Disaster Response sent an emergency grant of $10,000 to help the ELCA begin its local response to people affected by severe spring weather.

 

The funds were sent to Lutheran Services in Tennessee, which will be used to assist where needed in the ELCA Southeastern Synod, said the Rev. Kevin A. Massey, director for Lutheran Disaster Response and ELCA Domestic Disaster Response. Lutheran Disaster Response is a collaborative ministry of the ELCA and The Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod.

 

The building for Christ Lutheran Church, an ELCA congregation in Cullman, Ala., was destroyed by a tornado that struck the downtown area April 27.

 

The roof of the building for Christ Lutheran Church, a historic site in Cullman, was lifted off by the storm and tossed on top of the congregation's administrative building, said the Rev. Sandra M. Niiler, interim pastor. Niiler said trees behind the church were torn up by the storm and buildings across the street from the church were destroyed.

 

"Some church members have said they have damage to their homes, but as far as we know, everyone is alive," Niiler reported. "They (members) want to know how everyone else is. Everyone's been calling on each other. Even though I'm here (Tuscaloosa), we feel really connected.  That's a good feeling, a plus in a small church."

 

Access to the area near the church is restricted, Niiler said.  Worship services this weekend may be held nearby in another church or outside. The Rev. Darrel A. Peterson, assistant to the bishop, ELCA Southeastern Synod, will represent the synod at Christ Lutheran Church's worship May 1.

 

The Rev. Delmer L. Chilton, assistant to the bishop, ELCA Southeastern Synod, said some small communities in Tennessee, where there are ELCA congregations, suffered significant tornado damage. The building for Resurrection Lutheran Church, Ooltewah, Tenn., was not damaged, but areas near it were affected by the storm.  The congregation is providing housing for displaced people and assisting emergency personnel, Chilton said.

 

Members of Solomon Lutheran Church in Greenville (sic), Tenn., are reported to be safe, and the building was not damaged, when a tornado touched down nearby.  The storm caused considerable property damage and resulted in at least six deaths in Green (sic) County, Chilton said. Some people are believed to be missing, he added.   

 

The deadly storms struck in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi,Tennessee and Virginia. More than 280 people died as a result of the storms, including at least 194 in Alabama.

 

Gifts to ELCA Domestic Disaster Response will be used entirely to respond to a series of spring storms, including tornados and floods. Gifts may be contributed at http://www.ELCA.org/disaster/storms on the ELCA website. Gifts may also be contributed by calling 800-638-3522, or by mail to ELCA Disaster Response, 39330 Treasury Center, Chicago, IL 60694-9300. Please write "U.S. Severe Storms" on your check's memo line.