Global Missions in the Indiana-Kentucky Synod:

Chile Earthquake Damage to Six of our Companion Synod Congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chile

Pr. Bill Gafkjen Assistant to the Bishop, Global Mission

At least six congregations of IELCH have significant damage to their facilities. These congregations are listed below, along with a short description of the damage and what is required to repair or rebuild structures and systems. Why not conduct some special offerings and/or awareness and fundraising activities in your congregation in the next few weeks and send the money and stories of what you did along with your Synod Assembly voting members to drop in the offering plate Sunday June 6?

 

See a map of Chile and locations of IELCH congregations.

Santiago

Bethlehem Lutheran Church

The community center has damaged hallway roofs, and broken, cracked ceilings that need to be repaired before the beginning of the 2010 school year.

Good Samaritan Lutheran Church

The earthquake cracked the foundation of the church and preschool, and walls must be demolished and rebuilt.

Trinity Congregation

Two structural columns in the sanctuary must be repaired. The earthquake shook a wall in the fellowship hall and now requires new steel and concrete to prevent more damage. The parsonage bathroom is not functional and a structural column on the first floor of the parsonage requires assessment and repair.

Concepcion

Martin Luther Lutheran Church

The sanctuary is cracked in many places, including the wall and steps near the altar, the roof and structural columns of the building. The preschool sustained major damage, specifically to the sinks and toilets in the bathrooms and to the electrical and alarm systems. Doors, locks and windows were destroyed, as well. In the parsonage, there is a gap between the second and third floor and a large crack near the pastor's office. The sewage drain in the yard has a broken pipe.

San Pedro, Coronel, Lutheran Church

There are cracks in the central part of the church building, the altar, and in the church office ceiling and fellowship hall. The building structure has cracks in its structural concrete columns, two brick walls, wooden walls and door locks.

San Pablo Lutheran Church

Although the church building itself presents no serious damage, the gym requires repairs and the bathroom sinks are leaking. Looters have stolen wood and other materials and walls need to be reinforced with bricks.

IELCH has requested emergency reconstruction funds from the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) to address these needs. LWF has been quite generous, but is unable to provide all that IELCH needs; they are still short about US$20,000.00 for their reconstruction.

One way for the Indiana-Kentucky Synod to embody our companionship with IELCH and to assist the people of the IELCH to experience the power of resurrection in the reconstruction of their buildings and their lives together as the people of God is to meet that shortfall.

We have already received $2000.00 in unsolicited gifts for IELCH. I pray that God will stimulate the generosity of God’s people in this synod to supply the remaining $18,000.00 between now and the end of this year’s Synod Assembly, which is only weeks away. Here is how to give:

• Send a check, made payable to “Indiana-Kentucky Synod, ELCA” and clearly marked with “Chile earthquake,” to the synod office (911 E 86th Street, Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46240).
  
  
• Bring cash and checks to the sending Eucharist at the Synod Assembly on Sunday, June 6. The offering from that liturgy will all go to the IELCH for earthquake reconstruction.
  
  
• Why not conduct some special offerings and/or awareness and fundraising activities in your congregation in the next few weeks and send the money and stories of what you did along with your Synod Assembly voting members to drop in the offering plate Sunday June 6?

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Rev. Bill Gafkjen, IiK Synod Director of Global Mission