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The Earthquake in Chile  An 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit central Chile February 27, 2010, at approximately 3:30 a.m. local time about 70 miles northeast of the city of Concepcion and 200 miles south of the capital, Santiago. The earthquake is the biggest to hit Chile in 50 years. Tsunami warnings were issued for Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Central America and Pacific island nations.
The ELCA has already been in contact with companions in Chile in support of their response. ELCA Disaster Response is working with and through two historical companions with presence in earthquake affected areas: Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chile (Iglesia Evangelica Luterana en Chile - IELCH), a church that carries out its mission in the context of people living in situations of poverty and marginalization including work in Concepcion and Santiago.
Educacion Popular en Salud (EPES) - With roots as an emergency response organization, EPES is now a leader for access and provision of systematic community health services.
Both the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chile and EPES are well located and equipped for this earthquake response. The UniLu Social Ministry Committee has suggested that in lieu of accepting contributions toward Easter Flowers this year, we use minimal flowers and instead accept memorial/honorarium contibutions which will go to Lutheran Disaster Response, to be used where most desperately needed in the world. UniLu's Church Council has affirmed that suggestion. Please make a contribution to University Lutheran Church and write "Lutheran Disaster Response" on the check or offering envelope. Include a note designating anyone for whom the contribution is in memory of or in honor of. Names (but not amounts) will be listed in the Holy Week bulletins.
 Haiti Earthquake ReliefA magnitude 7.0 earthquake rocked the island country of Haiti on Tuesday, January 12. Buildings are destroyed, the search for survivors is intense and the streets of Haiti are filled with people in shock and searching for loved ones among the rubble. ELCA Disaster Response partners have survived the quake and are already working to serve the people of Haiti.
Your help is needed today to bring immediate relief and continued hope for our brothers and sisters in Haiti. About 3 million people, one-third of Haiti’s population, were affected by this earthquake.
One hundred percent of your gifts designated to Haiti will be used in this vital response effort. Click to donate now.
Click here for worship resources and more information about the Haiti earthquake. Also see Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson's column on the Lutheran response to the Haiti earthquake from the March issue of The Lutheran.
Ways to Give:Check (or cash in an envelope) on Sunday to University Lutheran Church, marked "Haiti [or Chile] Earthquake Relief."
Check or money orders sent to:
ELCA Disaster Response
39330 Treasury Center
Chicago, IL 60694-9300
write "Haiti [or Chile] Earthquake Relief" on your check's
memo line.
Credit card by phone: 800-638-3522.
Typhoon Morakot Typhoon Morakot slammed into Taiwan on August 7-9, the worst to hit the island in 50 years. Roads were blocked, villages and farmland laid to waste, and hundreds of people buried by massive landslides in the south. One particular village, Hsiaolin, east of Tainan, was almost completely covered in a mudslide triggered by several days of extremely heavy rainfall. Hundreds of the victims are believe to be buried under the mud. According to some sources, more than 540 have been confirmed dead and 117 still missing and presumed dead. According to the Taiwan Lutheran Church, no churches or its members have been seriously affected. But the church is evaluating how it may respond to this emergency.
A reported 15,400 people have been rescued since the typhoon dumped more than 80 inches of rain. ELCA Response: The ELCA has committed up to $25,000 for Typhoon Morakot relief in Taiwan, as its awaits word from Taiwan Lutheran Church (TLC). Relief efforts planned are in collaboration with Chia-Yi Christian Hospital responding to the health needs of individuals and families who have been affected by the typhoon. TLC is also responding to the psychological and physical needs of people in the village near the hospital and is in the process of establishing a "caring center."
In the meantime, other ELCA companions in the region, the Sichuan Council of Churches in China and the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church, are preparing to respond as well. You may contribute as follows: By mail:
ELCA International Disaster Response
P.O. Box 71764
Chicago, IL 60694-1764 | By phone:
(with a major credit card):
800-638-3522 | On the Web:
(with a major credit card over a secure connection):
Click here |
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