ELCA offers prayers for those affected by California earthquake

​     CHICAGO (ELCA) – The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) offers prayers for all those affected by the Aug. 24 earthquake that struck near Napa, Calif.  
     “The thoughts and prayers of the Lutheran Disaster Response network are with those injured and affected by the earthquake,” said the Rev. Michael Stadie, program director for Lutheran Disaster Response. “We are monitoring the situation and standing by to provide help to the impacted communities as they begin the process of recovery.”
     The magnitude 6.0 earthquake injured almost 200 people and caused extensive damage to homes and businesses in Napa Valley. No deaths were reported. The earthquake was the largest to strike the Bay Area of California since a magnitude 6.9 earthquake in 1989.
     Napa Valley Lutheran Church in Napa, Calif., is the only ELCA congregation in the area that has reported receiving damage in the earthquake. The Rev. Julie Webb, associate pastor, said she is aware of only one minor injury among her members and that a small group still gathered for worship Sunday morning. 
     “Some (members) couldn't get cars out of garages buried in fallen storage items. A few who were able to get out after the 3:20 a.m. quake gathered sleepily, but gratefully, for worship in the morning and stayed to clean up,” said Webb.
     “Folks spent all day yesterday putting things back and sweeping up. It was heartening to hear about Lutherans who went right out on their own initiative to check on neighbors and other Lutherans. ‘God's work. Our hands,’” she said, describing the concern members had for one another.
     Webb said she and other church administrators “will need to spend some time with building inspectors and insurance agents in the coming days to evaluate damage to the building.
     “Along with some interesting cracks in the nave, it looks like we sustained significant damage to the church’s trademark blue-cross tower – the one our Jewish neighbors from Congregation Beth Shalom (have used) when giving directions to their synagogue before they started meeting in our building last year. Rabbi Lee Bycel has already reached out to me to see how they can help us. Since their new building is almost finished, we are sure of having a place to meet if our building needs work.”
     Lutheran Social Services of Northern California is on standby, ready to deploy once disaster teams complete their damage assessment. 
     “Lutheran Social Services (of Northern California) stands ready to respond as the community begins the long-term process of rebuilding,” said Carol Roberts, chief executive officer of Lutheran Social Services of Northern California.
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with about 4 million members in nearly 10,000 congregations across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God's work. Our hands,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer, Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
773-380-2877 or Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
http://www.ELCA.org/news
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