wfn.org | [UMNS-ALL-NEWS] UMNS# 534-Members count blessings after hurricane

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

Members count blessings after hurricane destroys church, homes

Sep. 26, 2005

NOTE: Photographs and related coverage are available at
http://umns.umc.org.

By Kathy L. Gilbert*

SLIDELL, La. (UMNS) - Standing outside the wrecked ruins of her church,
Ella Doyle told members of her congregation, "God has got a better day
coming."

Doyle survived the terror of Hurricane Katrina aboard a boat with her
husband and two sons. At one point, both of her sons disappeared beneath
the water and her husband stopped breathing.

"I stood up in that boat and prayed," she said. "I have no desire to
walk around telling people I lost this or that; I didn't lose nothing.
The only thing we need to worry about is whether we are going to see
heaven."

For the second time since the hurricane destroyed their church and
homes, members of Hartzell Mt. Zion United Methodist Church gathered
Sept. 25 in the parking lot for the Sunday worship service.

"You look so dear to me," the Rev. Ernest Scott told his congregation,

A soft breeze filtered over the 63 faithful. "Feel the gentle breeze of
our God," Scott said. "He sends the wind and the rain, but he still
sends a gentle breeze."

A 30-foot wall of water from Lake Ponchartrain slammed into the small
community surrounding Hartzell Mt. Zion, soaking all the homes and
leaving the people with nothing.

"My house is boarded up, but I am happy because the Lord is blessing
me," said Dora Jackson, 77.

Jackson lived in her home for 51 years before Hurricane Katrina ran her
out. "I raised all six of my children in this house," she said, looking
around.

Donald Y. Archie, lay leader of the church, walked inside his
water-soaked church for the first time this Sunday. He said he had been
putting off looking inside.

When he came back outside he said, "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh
away, blessed be the name of the Lord."

With tears in his eyes, he said, "We'll come back."

That sentiment was echoed by most of the people gathered under the
cloudy skies.

Iris Turner, from Rochester, N.Y., came back to see about her family and
told the congregation, "Nothing belongs to you. God stripped us naked,
but there is a purpose he did this. It is time to get close and stop
worshipping stuff."

Charles Alfred, 72, said he and his wife lost everything they had in
their 47-year-long marriage. Before services began, he talked about the
renovations that had just been completed and the plans the church was
making to expand.

"We were just getting ready to sign a contract to start building a
family life center," he said. Six feet of water in the church means two
and a half years of renovation and $250,000 are down the drain, he said.

As members talked about blessings and losses, Scott gave them tips on
coping with being displaced and scattered. "Be patient; learn
acceptance."

He also talked about how hard it is to lose everything. "I am being
real," he said, laughing. "I looked at my ruined suits and shoes and I
just said, 'ummm.' Some of those things I just liked."

The United Methodist Committee on Relief is working with the church to
get a tent for the congregation, and church members voted to continue
meeting at 8 a.m. every Sunday on the grounds.

"Keep your mind on heavenly things," Scott said. "This is just a
junction. We will get through this, and this too will pass."

*Gilbert is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in
Nashville, Tenn.

News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470
or newsdesk@umcom.org.

********************

United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org

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