wfn.org | ABCUSA: Sacrificial Giving Urged Following Katrina Devastation

["SCHRAMM, Richard" <Rich.Schramm@abc-usa.org>]

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 9/7/05)--American
Baptists are being called both to give sacrificially in financial
contributions and through volunteer relief work and to constantly hold
in prayer the millions of persons affected by Hurricane Katrina and its
ensuing flooding.

The worst natural disaster in U.S. history, Katrina hit the Gulf Coast a
week ago Monday with 140-mile-per-hour winds, producing devastating
flooding that has virtually shut down the entire city of New Orleans for
the foreseeable future.  As draining efforts begin today in that city
there is fear that as many as 10,000 or more bodies will be uncovered in
areas where people were unable to evacuate.

American Baptists are addressing both immediate and long-term needs. In
a communication sent to ABCUSA regions last Friday, National Ministries
Executive Director the Rev. Dr. Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins III and ABC of
the South Executive Minister the Rev. Dr. Walter L. Parrish II, spoke to
those needs.

"We are fully aware and deeply feel the horror of Hurricane Katrina's
aftermath," they wrote. "There are multiple significant short and long
term needs for the care of human lives in Alabama, Mississippi,
Louisiana, and Florida."

"Together, the American Baptist Churches of the South and National
Ministries ABCUSA are in the process of formulating short- and long-term
strategies to address this crisis specifically in terms of transitional,
semi-permanent (long-term transitional) and permanent efforts throughout
the nation to resettle displaced persons with the help and generosity of
the American Baptist family."

Wright-Riggins and Parrish asked American Baptists to respond with
prayers for the victims and those trying to serve them, along with
financial contributions to the One Great Hour of Sharing offering,
utilizing Sunday services to encourage sacrificial giving.

They also noted: "A massive pool of volunteer support will be needed
over the next twelve months. Volunteers who wish to offer their
assistance, both in the ABCOTS region and in your regions in the near
future, should contact the Volunteers In Mission office, 800-222-3872,
extension 2449 (Jacci White, Jacci.White@abc-usa.org).	Volunteers In
Mission will assist ABCOTS to coordinate availability, skills, and
deployment of those who feel led to volunteer for relief efforts.
Social workers and medical and legal support will be especially helpful
early in the recovery process."

An initial One Great Hour of Sharing emergency grant of $10,000 has been
sent to Church World Service, which will provide Gift of the Heart Kits
(which include basic medical and toiletry supplies), seed grants to
long-term recovery organizations, and other assistance.

American Baptists can respond immediately to emergency relief needs by
contributing online to the "Give Now" option available on either
www.abcusamissions.org or www.abc-usa.org.  Churches so doing will
receive credit for OGHS giving.  Contributions also may be made through
normal channels using the Monthly Report of Mission Giving.  All
contributions should be marked "OGHS-Hurricane Katrina."

"American Baptists grieve over the tremendous loss of life and property
and the displacement of many thousands of persons," said American
Baptist Churches USA General Secretary the Rev. Dr. A. Roy Medley. "We
need to commit to ongoing and heartfelt prayer for the victims of this
natural catastrophe, as well as for the relief work and workers that are
addressing critical needs.  The immediate response of American Baptists
is, as expected, one that reveals a commitment to Christ-centered
compassion.  Already churches and individuals have taken up the
challenge with profound generosity through One Great Hour of Sharing,
and volunteer work-involving American Baptists from many parts of the
country-is well underway. I commend Drs. Wright-Riggins and Parrish for
their hard work in developing viable strategies for short and long-term
responses. And I call on our denominational family to continue to lift
up and respond to those millions now in need, and to remember that
relief and restoration ministries will require long-term support."

K/2005ABNS/05ABN95

American Baptist News Service: Office of Communication, American Baptist
Churches USA, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851; (800)ABC-3USA
x2077 / (610)768-2077; fax: (610)768-2320; www.abc-usa.org;
richard.schramm@abc-usa.org