Gulf Coast UMs thank Katrina volunteers

United Methodist News Service
United Methodist volunteers from across the United States were welcomed, thanked and challenged to keep coming to the Gulf Coast during a Katrina Summit this month.
The Sept. 6-7 gathering in New Orleans was organized to honor the work and workers of the past two years.
“It is a miracle what you have done,” said Bishop William B. Oden, chairman of the Katrina Church Recovery Appeal.
More than 63,000 United Methodist volunteers from 42 states, two foreign countries and 60 annual conferences have aided the Gulf Coast since Hurricane Katrina stormed ashore Aug. 29, 2005.
The Sept. 6-7 summit was intended to remind the church that the recovery work wasn’t finished, recruit more volunteers, find new church partnerships and encourage more donations to the Katrina Church Recovery Appeal. That’s a special fund established by the Council of Bishops to help rebuild churches, pay clergy salaries and restore other ministries.
Annual conferences from Alaska to Arkansas sent more than 200 representatives to the event. Bishops William Hutchinson, Louisiana Episcopal Area; Hope Morgan Ward, Mississippi Episcopal Area; and Larry M. Goodpaster, Alabama-West Florida Episcopal Area, were hosts.
The summit included a bus tour of three restored New Orleans churches, a dinner and a report on work that still needs to be done.
“As storm-tossed people, we thank you from the depths of our hearts because you have been here from the very first days,” Ward said. “Has it been two years, two days or 20 years since Aug. 29, 2005? We continue to live in chaos, but we have never felt alone.”
Hutchinson added his thanks and said, “I don’t know where we would be without the church. Governments have had their problems, but the church didn’t wait to get the OK from anyone. You just came and began to do the work.”
United Methodists worldwide have given more than $66.4 million for recovery from Katrina and a series of other ferocious hurricanes that hit the United States in 2005, said the Rev. Tom Hazelwood of the United Methodist Committee on Relief.
The money has gone to help more than 60,000 people and to build or restore more than 25,000 homes, he said.
Because relief committee funds are restricted to helping people rebuild their homes and other necessities after disasters, the Council of Bishops established the Katrina Church Recovery Appeal to help with additional ministry needs in the wake of Katrina, Oden explained.
Using Hebrews 10, Goodpaster talked about tired Christians with “compassion fatigue” and said people on the Gulf Coast can relate.
“I’m tired, too,” he said. “I’m tired of watching the Weather Channel, of mucking houses, wearing masks and worrying about water surges.”
Goodpaster said the Hebrews writer urged Christians to address their fatigue by approaching God, holding fast to the confidence of Jesus Christ and helping one another.
Leaders of the Louisiana and Mississippi conferences outlined projects that need to be completed through 2008 at a cost of about $6.5 million.
In Mississippi, more than 70,000 homes were destroyed, and 31,000 people still live in Federal Emergency Management Agency trailers, said the Rev. Bill McAlilly, superintendent of the Seashore District.
Six United Methodist congregations still need money and volunteers to rebuild their sanctuaries, he said.
The Louisiana Conference will open Luke’s House in November in New Orleans. The free clinic will provide basic health care for those who have lost vital services because several hospitals have closed.
Churches in New Orleans within designated mission zones need funds to provide for salaries and benefits for 29 pastors. Four Louisiana United Methodist churches still need restoring or expanding.
“Go back to your conferences, and say the need still goes on,” Good-paster said. “You have come as disciples; now we need you to go back as apostles.”
To contribute to United Methodist Katrina recovery efforts, give through local church offerings to the Katrina Church Recovery Appeal No. 818-001.