Faith in the fire

John J. Scibilia, Executive Director, Lutheran Disaster Response of New York

     When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee: and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee.  When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.  For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Savior.  Isaiah 43:2-3a

     The “Faith in the Fire” Award was presented by the Atlantic District – LCMS to Marlene Lund, Lutheran Schools Association Executive Director, for the demonstration of grace and Christian leadership amid unparalleled difficulties.  This recognition is truly a result of Marlene’s impassioned and selfless service among the almost two hundred schools and centers since 9/11.

     Marlene’s leadership of the Lutheran Schools Association has been nothing short of extraordinary in a place which still reels under the wave effects of 9/11.  Recently a seventh grader in a Lutheran school was counseled out of suicide because Marlene insisted upon school counselors being placed in schools after 9/11.

     LSA has been an equal partner with other social ministry organizations as well as the Synod/District offices in this disaster response.  The mere existence of LSA, a network of schools and centers, made it possible for LDRNY to serve schools and centers in a coordinated and efficient fashion.  This presents yet another reason for strong ELEA Networks everywhere to lead local preparedness as well as provide coordinated services and communication when needed.

     Marlene is the second Lutheran school leader with disaster experience this year to be recognized.  Jane Knox, principal of Faith Lutheran School in Raleigh, North Carolina, recognized as ELCA Distinguished Principal, led Faith through traumatic times when their new school building was destroyed by Hurricane Fran literally days after the building was dedicated.  Lutheran school and center leadership truly show ‘faith in the fire’ at the times when children, parents and staff need them the most.

NOTE:  Marlene Lund serves as an ELEA National Board Member. John Scibilia, a Lutheran School and ECE leader since 1977, also received the Faith in the Fire Award. In addition, he joined Senator Hillary Clinton, Rudy Guiliani and LDRNY in being recognized by the Coalition of 9/11 Families.  The Coalition is the primary organization to which all 9/11 victims’ families relate.

Back to Index