Each of these partners will share in the planning, implementation and costs associated with providing rural services. In its initial stages, the Rural Response Coalition will focus on food programs, community workshops, and individual services with rural families. In the future, the collaborative hopes to expand the services it offers to rural residents.

Lutheran Rural Response began as a program of Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota (LSS/ND) following the severe winter storms and spring flooding of 1997. Through Lutheran Rural Response, LSS/ND provided many programs and services to meet the needs of rural individuals, families and communities. Over time, a decrease in funding for the program forced a reduction in services. This year, even the remaining services were in danger of being lost because funding for Lutheran Rural Response was running out. Several months ago, program director Bonnie Turner took on the challenge of finding partners who believed in the program and were willing to provide the support it needed to continue. Her work led to the formation of the new interdenominational collaborative.

"I want to personally thank each of the denominations for their investment in this important ministry to the people of North Dakota," said LSS/ND President/CEO Keith Ingle. "Their willingness to reach across denominational lines and work together means people in rural areas will continue to receive the services they need. I know I speak on their behalf when I say they will gladly welcome members of other denominations into this collaborative effort."

"We United Methodists are pleased to be a part of an ecumenical effort to help people deal with the crisis in our rural areas," said Bishop Michael J. Coyner of the United Methodist Church, Dakotas Conference. "This crisis is larger than any one denomination or even any one government or social agency. We must work together to help the people of North Dakota deal with this long-term crisis."

"The Presbytery of the Northern Plains, 72 churches scattered across North Dakota and western Minnesota, is proud to be an ecumenical partner in this new venture to bring concrete aid and assistance to those who work our land and provide our food," said Rev Arabella Meadows-Rogers, executive presbyter of the Presbyterian Church, USA, Presbytery of the Northern Plains. "On Sunday mornings across the plains we worship in thousands of separate sanctuaries, but together, God willing, we can bring change and hope to the landscape."

"Our churches and our farms are the very foundation of our state," said Annetta Sutton, director of the Office of Social Concerns for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bismarck. "Our churches, working together in a faith-based coalition, will bring hope to our rural roots and those families who continue the good fight to stay on the farm and feed the masses."

"The churches accompanied rural settlers in difficult times in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries," said Father Tom Graner, rural life director for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fargo. "We will not abandon rural residents in our time. Today's announcement of the formation of an ecumenical coalition to provide ministry to rural communities is made in the same spirit of faith that brought our religious traditions to these prairies."

"Sadly, grants come and go, but real needs remain," said Peter Edwards, interim director of Catholic Family Service. "Our hope is that this collaborative effort will be an effective way of delivering services to those in need in rural areas."

The director of Lutheran Rural Response, Bonnie Turner, will serve as the director of the Rural Response Coalition.