wfn.org | UMNS# 542-United Methodists assist, assess after Rita

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United Methodists assist, assess after Rita

Sep. 28, 2005

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

By United Methodist News Service

In the aftermath of Hurricane Rita, assisting evacuees living in
shelters has become an immediate challenge for United Methodists in
Texas and Louisiana.

"Some of our most critical needs right now are in caring for thousands
of people still in shelters in Lufkin, Longview, Carthage, Lakeview
Conference Center and many other places," wrote Bishop Janice Riggle
Huie of Houston in a Sept. 27 letter to church members in the Texas
Annual (regional) Conference.

Because of a serious overcrowding problem at First United Methodist
Church in Lufkin - 580 people at a shelter meant for a maximum of 260 -
churches in Houston and nearby communities were delivering meals and
working to transfer people to their own facilities.

Huie and several other church officials, including the Rev. Tom
Hazelwood, disaster response executive for the United Methodist
Committee on Relief, spent Sept. 25-26 visiting churches and parsonages
in some of the hardest-hit areas of the Beaumont District.

"All of our pastors and their families are safe," the bishop reported.
"Nearly every pastor in a mandatory evacuation zone left the area. It is
also our understanding that all our laity are safe."

Flood damage to churches appeared to be minimal, she told United
Methodist News Service, calling that "a blessing."

Most of the damage to church property came from wind, according to
initial assessments. "A number of our churches will need a new roof,"
Huie wrote. "On the whole, Beaumont churches fared better than those in
Port Arthur, Orange and Bridge City."

The worst structural damage occurred at St. Paul United Methodist Church
in Bridge City, which lost much of the roof in the sanctuary, education
building and a second classroom wing. Many stained-glass windows were
broken, and church officials believe water damage has occurred. A new
family life center building appeared intact.

In Orange, Salem United Methodist Church suffered structural and water
damage in its educational building. Damage to The Temple in Port Arthur
was estimated at $1 million and the organ was ruined. However, some
parts of the building were usable.

"We visited all the other churches in the Port Arthur and Orange area,"
the bishop said. "While most have damage, such as a blown-out window or
door or downed trees, the major task appears to be cleanup."

Telephone reports indicated that church property damage also was limited
in Vidor, Jasper, and Kirbyville, she added.

Huie praised the response of area church members and residents in the
wake of the storm.

"We are encouraging as many churches as possible to begin worship
services again this Sunday - even if it means folding chairs outside on
the grass early in the day while it is still cool," she wrote. "The
community needs to see that their churches, which are beacons of hope in
the midst of stormy times, are holding steady."

Once city services - such as water, sewage and power - are restored, and
residents begin returning, the church can send in volunteer teams to
assist with recovery efforts, according to the bishop.

Hazelwood, who has been in the Gulf region since Hurricane Katrina
struck Aug. 29, reported that UMCOR would be opening relief centers in
the Texas disaster zone.

Church officials in Louisiana are working with UMCOR to extend emergency
response to the Lake Charles area, also hard hit by Hurricane Rita.
Hazelwood said towns in the Lake Charles region were closed even to
residents and electricity and other services had not been restored.

Cameron Parish in Louisiana was devastated, according to reports. The
city of Cameron and other coastal towns were accessible only by
helicopter or boat, Hazelwood said.

Donations to support the United Methodist response to Hurricane Katrina
can be made online at www.methodistrelief.org and by phone at (800)
554-8583. Checks can be written to UMCOR, designated for "Hurricanes
2005-Katrina, Advance No. 982523," or "Hurricane Rita, Advance No.
901323," and left in church offering plates or mailed directly to UMCOR,
P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068. Contributions may also be
designated for a specific state affected by the hurricanes.

News media contact: Linda Bloom, New York, (646) 369-3759 or
newsdesk@umcom.org.

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