Lutheran Communion Prayers and Solidarity for US Church after Hurricane
A man holds his head walking by homes in the Queens borough of New York, USA, devastated by Hurricane Sandy. © REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton, courtesy <a href=
LWF General Secretary Affirms Diaconal Efforts to Bring Comfort and Restore Hope
The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) offers its prayers, solidarity and support for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the people of the United States of America following devastation caused by the hurricane that struck the country’s East Coast.
In a letter today to ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson, LWF General Secretary Rev. Martin Junge assured the US Lutheran church of solidarity from the entire LWF Communion.
“On this All Saints Day, we share our prayers and solidarity with all those whose lives have been affected directly or indirectly, and those who suffer distress because of the horrific circumstances from Hurricane Sandy,” Junge wrote.
Junge expressed condolences to families mourning loved ones who died as a result of the storm and prayed for strength and healing as many people struggle to deal with the difficult situation.
Hurricane Sandy made landfall over the Caribbean on 25 October and on the US Atlantic City on 29 October, leaving a trail of destruction, floods and power outages for millions of people. Media reports put the overall death toll at more than 120, including over 50 people in the US, one in Canada and more than 60 in the Caribbean.
According to the ECLA News Service, some of the church’s congregations along the Atlantic coast have reported damage. The ELCA Disaster Response network is working with congregations, affiliates and other partners in efforts to restore communities.
In his letter, Junge affirmed the pastoral and diaconal support that the ELCA Disaster Response is extending to people affected. He reiterated “the solidarity and support of the entire LWF communion and its members,” as the ELCA joins in efforts to “bring comfort and restore hope” during the critical moments following the devastating storm.