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George Sprinkle describes the damage to his waterfront neighborhood in Bayou La Batre, Ala., following Hurricane Katrina.
Image by: Mike DuBose/UMNS
Source: United Methodist News Service
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Click for the latest updates to this article
United Methodists Take Action
United Methodists from all walks of life an in all areas of the US are working
to relieve the suffering and assist those left vulnerable following Hurricane
Katrina. The following stories share what United Methodists are doing both
within the disaster zone and outside of it to help thousands in need.
Gulf Port, Mississippi
The Rev. Ray Stokes, pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church, rode out
the storm in Gulf Port, MS, and is now reaching out to others there as well.
With no electricity, and no water he and members of his church who are still
in Gulf Port are feeding hundreds using their church’s gas stove. They
are receiving relief supplies that are helping them feed the people who come
by each day for food. Through word of mouth people are finding out how to
have a hot lunch at this local United Methodist Church. On Thursday, they
fed approximately 300 people.
Local Church Offers Sanctuary
by Mary Beth Coudal
In a small church a couple of hours west of New Orleans in Lafayette, LA,
Immanuel United Methodist Church has made good on The United Methodist church’s
promise to open doors and open hearts.
Kathleen Carter Conrad, a member of the Board of Directors of the Women’s
Division and the General Board, reported that this church of 150 members
has taken in 27 evacuees from New Orleans, 18 of whom are children and one
of whom is a United Methodist Woman.
UMCOR at Work
UMCOR personnel are making assessments in Louisiana, Mississippi,
and Alabama. They are working with the annual conferences in those
areas as well as other organizations to coordinate relief efforts
by responding to the destruction caused by Katrina and caring for
the thousands who are displaced, as well as working to meet specific
needs of United Methodist communities.
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“Local members of the congregation have been taking the evacuees into
their homes so they can bathe and get a meal. And we are feeding them three
meals a day from our food pantry. They are sleeping in Sunday School classrooms
and our sanctuary. It’s a faith journey. We’ve never done anything
like this before,” said Ms. Conrad.
When spirits are low, said Conrad, “We try to keep them encouraged.
They’re all saying they’re so glad to be here, thanks for opening
the doors. One lady motioned for me to come over. She told me she collected
shoes and purses. She talked about how all that’s gone now. She was
discouraged. I never thought I’d see a day like this.”
Conrad praises the many kindnesses within the church community – the
women who are donating meals and clothing. “The hands are just reaching
out. We are all just coming together. We’re already together in Christ.
And it’s a good experience for our church. We really are sisters and
brothers. It makes a world of difference,” said Conrad, whose husband
Rev. Clifton Conrad, Sr. is the church’s pastor.
Among the 18 displaced children, all have enrolled in local schools in Lafayette.
The school workers informed the families that the children will be provided
uniforms, school supplies and emergency food stamps.
“We always wanted a full church,” said Conrad wanly, “We
have one now.”
Houston Community Center Prepared for "Refugees"
Mike Shirl, director of Wesley Community Center in Houston, reports that
he is working locally to plan for "refugees" coming in from New
Orleans. He expects broad collaboration among local agencies, including the
United Way, in responding to the crisis. The center itself already has an
infrastructure (including the appropriate licenses) that allows it to prove
food, clothing, child care, senior care, after school programs and hot meals
at multiple sites, if necessary.
Mr. Shirl said that Wesley is ready to cooperate with the United Methodist
Committee on Relief and the Texas Annual Conference in any ways it can.
Wesley Community Center in Houston is a national mission institutional related
to the General Board of Global Ministries.
Arkansas Annual Conference
The Arkansas Annual Conferences is mobilizing United Methodist churches
and camps to reach out to the tens of thousands of displaced people currently
residing in Arkansas and for those yet to arrive. The conference is working
with the governor’s office in offering shelter and getting buses to
New Orleans for the evacuation happening there.
Pat Bodenhamer, Conference Minister with Mission in Outreach is organizing
much of the effort. Churches and one Arkansas Camps are already helping people
displaced in the state. Ms. Bodenhamer reports churches opening their doors
as shelters and others reaching out to displaced people living in hotels.
She says, “If people see a Louisiana license plate, they will stop
and ask how they can help.” One camp in the annual conference is already
open to displaced people and five more are ready to accept people as a long-term
place of residence. “Every one of our churches is doing something to
help,” says Ms. Bodenhamer.
Texas Annual Conference
People in all areas of service and ministry are stepping up to the task
of welcoming displaced people who are arriving in Texas by the busload.
The Texas Annual Conference is participating in the effort to host refugees
in the Astrodome as well as in other areas.
The Lakeview Camp is hosting 107 adults with mental disabilities from a
New Orleans Home.
Lon Morris Junior College, a United Methodist-related institution in Jacksonville,
TX, is taking in freshman and sophomore students from Dillard University
in New Orleans. The Dillard students will be able to continue their education
at Lon Morris free of charge and without disruption while New Orleans recovers
from Hurricane Katrina.
Alabama Church-Related College to Take Students from New Orleans
Birmingham-Southern College, a United Methodist-related school in Birmingham,
Alabama, will be taking students from Tulane and Loyola University in New
Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The college is also seeking temporary
residences for students whose families lost their homes in the storm. Alumni
of the college, which is linked to the North Alabama and Alabama West Florida
Conferences, have been asked to join in the effort to find such temporary
housing
Center in Kentucky Taking Refugees
The Bennett Center, a national mission institution, is hosting refugees
from Hurricane Katrina at the former college site in London, Kentucky. The
guests will probably stay for three months, according to staff and will be
provided with assistance in finding temporary jobs and in getting children
enrolled in schools.
The exact number of persons has not yet been determined. The center is using
a former dormitory at what was once Sue Bennett College. Since the center
has a small staff, the guests will be asked to assist with maintenance and
building care. The property is owned by the Women’s Division of the General
Board of Global Ministries.
Financial assistance is coming from the local Red Cross and churches in
the area.
Date posted:
Sep 02, 2005
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