Pacifica Synod

10-24-07

So. California Fire Response from the Bishop's Office

Dear Colleagues, especially those of you in or near the path of the raging fires.

God's strength and love surround you in this hour of need and in the days and weeks and months to come.

Please know that you are in our hearts, thoughts and prayers constantly. Various people here in Palm Desert are monitoring the news throughout the day. We synod staff members are making calls. We miss those of you who canceled your involvement in the Leadership Conference, but we know you are exactly where you need to be, responding to this crisis with all the support and resources you have. Some pastors who have been evacuated found their way out here and have a place to stay these four days. We know those of you in and around the areas where the fires are burning are being put to a great test. We prayer for your strength and endurance. We hear reports that as hundreds of thousands flee from their homes some of our churches are opening up their doors and facilities for shelter and safety. Thank you!

The I-LERT (Inter-Lutheran Emergency Response Team) is mobilizing, working hand in hand with Lutheran Disaster Response, ready to assist and join other relief efforts as quickly as possible. With so much devastation in so many places, we will be called upon for extraordinary efforts and great outpourings of generosity. Many of our pastors have told me that their congregations are already making efforts to respond. We know special offerings will be gathered this weekend and in the weeks and months that follow. We will receive such offerings at the Synod Office if you choose to direct your gifts through the efforts of I-LERT and LDR. Please make those gifts to the "Pacifica Synod" and earmark those gifts for Disaster Response. We will forward those gifts to the appropriate places and keep accurate accounting and give full reports of all gifts we receive.

I will be traveling about the synod the next few days, including over the weekend in San Diego. I will try to meet with various persons and groups as I am able. Please call me for any reason or request at 714-345-2791 (cell) or you can get a message to me at 714-692-2791 through the synod office. God be with you all... God be with us all... God be with the multitudes who are so adversely affected at this time.

I am praying for God's light in this darkness,
Bishop Murray D. Finck

10-24-07

Lutheran Disaster Response

More than 20 wildfires continue to burn and grow across southern California, fueled by the strong and persistent Santa Ana winds and drought conditions across most of the region. At this emergent stage in this disaster, Lutheran Disaster Response and its affiliate agency, Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest, are assessing the needs of the affected communities. Lutheran Disaster Response coordinator Tempie Beaman has been in near constant communication with local clergy as well as representatives from the ELCA Pacifica and Southwest California Synods and the LCMS Pacific Southwest District. Additionally, she has coordinated a number of Lutheran chaplains to provide spiritual care to evacuees at a number of shelters in the area.

Recent news reports state that nearly 1,500 homes have been completely destroyed with the worst of the damage concentrated in San Diego County. Perhaps more astoundingly, nearly one million people have been ordered to evacuate their homes as fires continue to spread unpredictably. Some of those evacuees are seeking temporary shelter at places like Qualcomm Stadium, home of the NFL’s San Diego Chargers, as well as at schools, churches, and homes of family and friends. With thanksgiving, it is also being reported that the volunteers who have organized at local shelters to help those displaced nearly outnumber the evacuees themselves.

Bishop Murray Finck, ELCA Pacifica Synod, reports that a number of clergy from the synod have been part of the evacuation orders as well as countless members of Lutheran congregations. At this time, Bishop Finck is not aware of any church structures that have been affected, but he and his staff continue to monitor the news for information. Leaders from the Southwest California Synod and Pacific Southwest District are also reporting that no church structures have been reported as affected at this time.

Contrary to some news reports that seem to be focused on the wealthy, this disaster is likely to have an impact across economic classes. Southern California, like other densely populated areas, is home to many who are underprivileged, including a large population of undocumented persons. While the full extent of this tragedy is yet to be seen, there is likely to be a need for Lutheran Disaster Response to assist in the long-term recovery process, and it will be our mission to seek out those who may otherwise be overlooked or underserved.

Seven counties in total have been declared both federal and state emergency areas, and emergency responders, namely fire crews from around the state, continue to battle the fires, assist families in evacuating, and care for any injured. The weather continues to be uncooperative with wind gusts reaching near-hurricane speeds and dry, hot air continuing to blow in from the desert. Cooler air and moisture are expected to arrive towards the end of the week which will be a welcome relief to residents wanting to return home and firefighters struggling for containment.

At this time, we pray for the many communities in southern California that continue to watch and wait for the fires to be contained. We pray for the local, state, and federal officials who are aiding in the early response to this tragedy. And we pray for the hundreds of thousands who are displaced from their homes and feeling uncertainty about what exactly the future holds.

For information on how you can give in support of the response to the wildfires, please visit www.ldr.org/donate. Lutheran Disaster Response Bringing Help and Hope... Phone: 773-380-2748 Fax: 773-380-2493 Visit us on the Web at www.ldr.org

10-23-07
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

Lutherans Provide Emotional Care in Response to California Wildfires

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) is pulling together a team of pastors to provide emotional and spiritual care for people in Southern California, as wildfires continue to spread there since Oct. 21, reported Tempie Beaman, LDR coordinator, Los Angeles. LDR is a collaborative ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod.

In San Diego, two people have died because of the wildfires. With hundreds of thousands of people evacuated from their homes, "there is little more we can do at this time," said Beaman.

"At least 900 homes have been lost in San Diego and hundreds more in other areas of Southern California. Because whole territories remain in evacuation, damage assessments of our churches have not been completed. Several of our Lutheran churches are providing assistance in a variety of ways, such as providing shelter, distributing of food and other supplies," reported Beaman.

"Wildfires have impacted seven of 10 counties in Southern California. The fires are spread from Santa Barbara, Calif., to the border of California and Mexico," she said. "We continue to need prayers and financial resources. We anticipate that recovery will be long-term," said Beaman.

Bishop Murray Finck's
"Stretch and Pray -
A Daily Discipline for Spiritual and Physical Health and Wellness" Book
now available from Augsburg Fortress.
Profits (minus printing and shipping costs) from each sale to be contributed to ELCA Hunger Relief and the Stand With Africa campaign.




		Pacifica Synod - ELCA 1801 Park Court Place, Bldg. C Santa Ana, CA 92701-5010 Phone: 714-692-2791 Fax: 714-692-9317 E-mail: Office@pacificasynod.org	Pacifica Synod Web News 10-24-07 So. California Fire Response from the Bishop's Office Dear Colleagues, especially those of you in or near the path of the raging fires. God's strength and love surround you in this hour of need and in the days and weeks and months to come. Please know that you are in our hearts, thoughts and prayers constantly. Various people here in Palm Desert are monitoring the news throughout the day. We synod staff members are making calls. We miss those of you who canceled your involvement in the Leadership Conference, but we know you are exactly where you need to be, responding to this crisis with all the support and resources you have. Some pastors who have been evacuated found their way out here and have a place to stay these four days. We know those of you in and around the areas where the fires are burning are being put to a great test. We prayer for your strength and endurance. We hear reports that as hundreds of thousands flee from their homes some of our churches are opening up their doors and facilities for shelter and safety. Thank you! The I-LERT (Inter-Lutheran Emergency Response Team) is mobilizing, working hand in hand with Lutheran Disaster Response, ready to assist and join other relief efforts as quickly as possible. With so much devastation in so many places, we will be called upon for extraordinary efforts and great outpourings of generosity. Many of our pastors have told me that their congregations are already making efforts to respond. We know special offerings will be gathered this weekend and in the weeks and months that follow. We will receive such offerings at the Synod Office if you choose to direct your gifts through the efforts of I-LERT and LDR. Please make those gifts to the "Pacifica Synod" and earmark those gifts for Disaster Response. We will forward those gifts to the appropriate places and keep accurate accounting and give full reports of all gifts we receive. I will be traveling about the synod the next few days, including over the weekend in San Diego. I will try to meet with various persons and groups as I am able. Please call me for any reason or request at 714-345-2791 (cell) or you can get a message to me at 714-692-2791 through the synod office. God be with you all... God be with us all... God be with the multitudes who are so adversely affected at this time. I am praying for God's light in this darkness, Bishop Murray D. Finck 10-24-07 Lutheran Disaster Response More than 20 wildfires continue to burn and grow across southern California, fueled by the strong and persistent Santa Ana winds and drought conditions across most of the region. At this emergent stage in this disaster, Lutheran Disaster Response and its affiliate agency, Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest, are assessing the needs of the affected communities. Lutheran Disaster Response coordinator Tempie Beaman has been in near constant communication with local clergy as well as representatives from the ELCA Pacifica and Southwest California Synods and the LCMS Pacific Southwest District. Additionally, she has coordinated a number of Lutheran chaplains to provide spiritual care to evacuees at a number of shelters in the area. Recent news reports state that nearly 1,500 homes have been completely destroyed with the worst of the damage concentrated in San Diego County. Perhaps more astoundingly, nearly one million people have been ordered to evacuate their homes as fires continue to spread unpredictably. Some of those evacuees are seeking temporary shelter at places like Qualcomm Stadium, home of the NFL’s San Diego Chargers, as well as at schools, churches, and homes of family and friends. With thanksgiving, it is also being reported that the volunteers who have organized at local shelters to help those displaced nearly outnumber the evacuees themselves. Bishop Murray Finck, ELCA Pacifica Synod, reports that a number of clergy from the synod have been part of the evacuation orders as well as countless members of Lutheran congregations. At this time, Bishop Finck is not aware of any church structures that have been affected, but he and his staff continue to monitor the news for information. Leaders from the Southwest California Synod and Pacific Southwest District are also reporting that no church structures have been reported as affected at this time. Contrary to some news reports that seem to be focused on the wealthy, this disaster is likely to have an impact across economic classes. Southern California, like other densely populated areas, is home to many who are underprivileged, including a large population of undocumented persons. While the full extent of this tragedy is yet to be seen, there is likely to be a need for Lutheran Disaster Response to assist in the long-term recovery process, and it will be our mission to seek out those who may otherwise be overlooked or underserved. Seven counties in total have been declared both federal and state emergency areas, and emergency responders, namely fire crews from around the state, continue to battle the fires, assist families in evacuating, and care for any injured. The weather continues to be uncooperative with wind gusts reaching near-hurricane speeds and dry, hot air continuing to blow in from the desert. Cooler air and moisture are expected to arrive towards the end of the week which will be a welcome relief to residents wanting to return home and firefighters struggling for containment. At this time, we pray for the many communities in southern California that continue to watch and wait for the fires to be contained. We pray for the local, state, and federal officials who are aiding in the early response to this tragedy. And we pray for the hundreds of thousands who are displaced from their homes and feeling uncertainty about what exactly the future holds. For information on how you can give in support of the response to the wildfires, please visit www.ldr.org/donate. Lutheran Disaster Response Bringing Help and Hope... Phone: 773-380-2748 Fax: 773-380-2493 Visit us on the Web at www.ldr.org 10-23-07 ELCA NEWS SERVICE Lutherans Provide Emotional Care in Response to California Wildfires CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) is pulling together a team of pastors to provide emotional and spiritual care for people in Southern California, as wildfires continue to spread there since Oct. 21, reported Tempie Beaman, LDR coordinator, Los Angeles. LDR is a collaborative ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod. In San Diego, two people have died because of the wildfires. With hundreds of thousands of people evacuated from their homes, "there is little more we can do at this time," said Beaman. "At least 900 homes have been lost in San Diego and hundreds more in other areas of Southern California. Because whole territories remain in evacuation, damage assessments of our churches have not been completed. Several of our Lutheran churches are providing assistance in a variety of ways, such as providing shelter, distributing of food and other supplies," reported Beaman. "Wildfires have impacted seven of 10 counties in Southern California. The fires are spread from Santa Barbara, Calif., to the border of California and Mexico," she said. "We continue to need prayers and financial resources. We anticipate that recovery will be long-term," said Beaman. Bishop Murray Finck's "Stretch and Pray - A Daily Discipline for Spiritual and Physical Health and Wellness" Book now available from Augsburg Fortress. Profits (minus printing and shipping costs) from each sale to be contributed to ELCA Hunger Relief and the Stand With Africa campaign. Return to top