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Hartzell Mt. Zion United Methodist Church slowly recovering

Nov. 2, 2005

NOTE: Photographs, audio and related articles are available at
http://umns.umc.org.

By Kathy L. Gilbert*

SLIDELL, La. (UMNS) - When it came time for announcements at Hartzell
Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, Charles Alfred stood up and asked for
volunteers and two trucks to go pick up a piano and organ being donated
to the church from a Jewish community in Monroe, La.

The Rev. Ernest Scott told the congregation that a church in Fort Wayne,
Ind., was donating United Methodist hymnals and "a few Bibles." Someone
else announced $1,000 had been donated to put insulation in the walls.

Slowly but surely, Hartzell Mt. Zion United Methodist Church is
recovering from Hurricane Katrina.

A month ago, the congregation was meeting in lawn chairs in the parking
lot. Everyone was back indoors on Sunday, Oct. 30, even though most of
the inside of the building is still missing.

"This is our second Sunday back in our church," Scott said. "God is in
the remaking and rebuilding business."

The congregation was sitting comfortably in blue upholstered chairs,
surrounded by studs, tar paper and blue tarp. The carpet is gone and the
floor is still a little sticky in some spots, but the mold and mildew is
gone and the stain-glass windows glisten.

Lionel Jackson sang a solo of "How Great Thou Art" without benefit of
musical accompaniment. His song was punctuated with "Yes, Lord!" and
voices joining in from the congregation.

"In the midst of all this we can still say 'How Great Thou Art,'" said
Idell Vaultz.

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

Dora Jackson was celebrating her 78th birthday and the recovery of her
church. "My house has been gutted and I am still living with one of my
daughters," she said.

In a sign of recovery yet to come, Anthony Alfred reminded members not
to forget about Sunday school. Even though no classrooms are open at
this time he said Sunday school and education is vital to the church.
"We don't have a lot of children right now but I want you parents to
encourage your children to participate."

Members have been meeting for the 8 a.m. worship services since the
hurricane but they are talking about resuming the 11 a.m. service as
well.

The text for the sermon this Sunday was Matthew 23:1-12 and the title
was "Humble Living."

"We will continue to worship here every Sunday," Scott said.

*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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