A “Provocation” to the Congregations of Our Synod

Prepared by the Global Mission Committee . . .

“Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful.  And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds.”                  (Hebrews 10: 23,24)

Dear Friends,

Last week Bishop Graham sent out an email appeal for support to our Companion Synod in El Salvador as it seeks to respond to the widespread death and destruction caused by Hurricane Ida.  Since that time more information has become available on the extent of the damage.

Please consider this urgent plea and respond as you are able.  Checks can be sent to the Synod Office, Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod of the ELCA, 1025 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 904, Washington, DC 20036, with the notation “El Salvador crisis.”

Last Sunday at Good Shepherd, Alexandria, Pastor Lou Schuetze’s sermon based on the lesson from Hebrews 10 – “And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds” – converged with reports of the devastation in El Salvador.  At the annual meeting following, this “provocation” led to an overwhelming response: a motion to allocate an initial $4,500 and to solicit extra contributions from members.  A challenge was also expressed: to “provoke” other congregations to respond to Bishop Graham’s urgent appeal for support to our Companion Synod.

As many of you are aware, a delegation from the Metro D.C. Synod was recently in El Salvador.  From them we expect to hear first-hand reports on the situation.*

Thank you for responding.

In Christ,
The Rev. Bob Allard
for the Global Mission Committee of the Metro D.C. Synod

P.S. For your information, here follows the text of an email received from the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) representative in Central America – and pastor of our synod – the Rev. Philip Anderson.

Bob, et. al. This is excellent.  The funds will be put to good use by your Companion Church here. GRACIAS!
Today some of our LWF team is accompanying Bishop Gómez to several badly impacted communities, and we are providing some immediate assistance (plastic sheeting, water, medical kits, rubber boots, etc.).  The ACT [Action of Lutherans Together] Appeal should go out from here today, then via ACT and LWF Geneva to all the related ecumenical funding partners (ELCA among them). Initially we are seeking through Rapid Response Funds the suggested maximum of $60,000.  In a month or two, we will likely send another appeal for reconstruction.  Sometimes it takes a month or more to consolidate assistance, so in the short run, the Metro D.C. Synod contribution would be very well received and utilized by your Companion Synod of El Salvador.
Blessings!  Phil

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[Editor’s Note: From ELCA Disaster Response, here is an overview of the situation our brothers and sisters in the region of this Companion Synod are facing. – KK]

On November 7th heavy winds and rain swept over El Salvador, causing extensive flooding and landslides in seven of the fourteen departments of country. As of November 16th, this disaster has claimed the lives of 192 individuals with 80 people still missing. Landslides buried homes and roads contributing the 14,000 individuals seeking refuge in the 117 established shelters across the country in schools, churches and community centers. El Salvador’s government has declared a state of disaster, officially requesting assistance in providing 3,400 families with food, hygiene kits and shelter.