St. Jacob Lutheran Church

Lutherans Responding to People Affected by Iowa Immigration Raid

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Members of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Postville, Iowa, are responding to the needs of people who have been affected by a May 12 federal immigration raid at a Postville meat processing plant. Hundreds of family members of those arrested have taken refuge inside St. Bridget's Catholic Church, Postville, said the Rev. Stephen P. Brackett, St. Paul Lutheran Church. On May 12 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested 390 people, and are seeki... (Posted: 5/15/2008 1:00:00 AM)

Lutherans Evaluate Damage from Another Series of Storms in the South

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) is evaluating damage left behind by another round of severe storms and tornadoes May 10-11 that swept through Arkansas, Georgia, Missouri and Oklahoma. LDR reported that 22 people died and hundreds of homes were damaged or destroyed in the most recent storms. "The late winter and spring have been a busy period for emergency managers and disaster response groups, and the headlines of destruction and injuries from strong storms... (Posted: 5/13/2008 1:00:00 AM)

Lutherans Work to Meet the Needs of People in Myanmar

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- International Disaster Response of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) provided $100,000 as an initial response to help meet the basic needs of survivors in Myanmar after Cyclone Nargis battered the Southeast Asian country May 3. "The Myanmar government reported that nearly 22,500 people died and close to 41,000 are missing," said Dr. Belletech Deressa, director for international development and disaster response, ELCA Global Mission. These fig... (Posted: 5/8/2008 1:00:00 AM)

August Wenzel, Former Lutheran Bishop, Seminary Educator, Dies

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. August E. Wenzel, a pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), former Lutheran bishop and seminary educator, died May 5 of cancer at home in San Antonio. He was 72. A funeral service will be held May 10 at Faith Lutheran Church, Seguin, Texas. "Augie Wenzel was a rare gift to the church -- part theologian, part administrator, part visionary for what the church needs to become and to be," said the Rev. Roger W. Fjeld, Estes Pa... (Posted: 5/8/2008 1:00:00 AM)

Lutherans Assess Damage in Arkansas from Tornadoes, Spring Storms

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) is assessing damage left behind by tornadoes and severe storms that swept across Arkansas May 5. Seven people died and more than 400 homes, businesses, hospitals, schools and churches were damaged or destroyed in the most recent storms. "This spring numerous communities in many states have been impacted by severe storms. Arkansas has been particularly affected by storms including devastating tornadoes. We pray for the fami... (Posted: 5/7/2008 1:00:00 AM)