Newsline: Church of the Brethren News Service -- Aug. 30, 2007 Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, News Director 800-323-8039 ext. 260 -- cobnews@brethren.org
CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN CONTINUES WORK IN GULF COAST TWO YEARS AFTER KATRINA
(Aug. 30, 2007) Elgin, IL -- On the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's devastation of the Gulf coast, Brethren Disaster Ministries continues rebuilding work in two locations in Louisiana, the towns of Chalmette and Pearl River. Brethren Disaster Ministries is a program of the Church of the Brethren.
"We have been asked by the local recovery groups to stay at these two locations through 2008," reported coordinator Jane Yount.
The other two Brethren rebuilding projects that were active this year, in the towns of Lucedale and McComb, Miss., have been completed. "We had a wonderful response for those projects, and much was accomplished," Yount said. "In Lucedale, over 800 volunteers assisted 87 families. In McComb, about 350 volunteers served 47 families."
The Children's Disaster Ministries program of the Church of the Brethren also continues to provide a response in New Orleans, located at FEMA's Welcome Home Center for returning hurricane survivors. Plans are for the response to continue at least until mid-September, when students go back to school.
A new DVD is available from the Brethren Disaster Ministries office, "The Presence of Christ: Brethren Disaster Ministries in the Gulf Coast," illustrating what is being accomplished with Hurricane Katrina recovery- -and how much still needs to be done.
"Every church member should view this DVD to find out what they can do to help Katrina survivors and why, after two years, this is still so important," said Yount. For a free copy, contact Brethren Disaster Ministries, P.O. Box 188, New Windsor, MD 21776; 800-451-4407; BDM_gb@brethren.org.
Brethren Disaster Ministries also has issued a renewed call for disaster volunteers to serve in the Gulf Coast. The program specifically needs volunteers to fill cancellations in the schedule at Pearl River the week of Sept. 9-15, and at Chalmette the week of Sept. 23-29. To volunteer, call Brethren Disaster Ministries at 800-451-4407.
Yount also called for prayer for those affected by Hurricane Dean, which struck Jamaica and other Caribbean islands, as well as Mexico and Belize in mid-August. "We are now in the throes of hurricane season, with five named storms already," she reminded disaster responders.
The Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination committed to continuing the work of Jesus peacefully and simply, and to living out its faith in community. The denomination is based in the Anabaptist and Pietist faith traditions and is one of the three Historic Peace Churches. It celebrates its 300th anniversary in 2008. It counts almost 130,000 members across the United States and Puerto Rico, and has missions and sister churches in Nigeria, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and India.
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For more information contact:
Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford Director of News Services Church of the Brethren General Board 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120 800-323-8039 ext. 260 cobnews@brethren.org
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