wfn.org | [UMNS-ALL-NEWS] UMNS# 336-Connection aids hurricane-damaged churches

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

>Connection aids hurricane-damaged churches

>Aug. 6, 2008

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

>By Betty Backstrom*

NEW ORLEANS (UMNS)-Without the help of the United Methodist connection,
First Grace United Methodist Church would not be a functioning
congregation.

"My salary, our associate pastor's salary and part-time music director
are paid through the Katrina Church Recovery Appeal," said the Rev.
Shawn Anglim, the pastor at First Grace. "In addition, teams have come
from throughout the connection to help us repair and rebuild this
beautiful, historic facility, which is a key spot for population growth
in New Orleans."

First Grace Church defines one of the Katrina Church Recovery Appeal
goals: "growing a congregation where memberships have declined." The
appeal also helps physically rebuild churches, parsonages and other
facilities, provide salaries for staff and facilitate training for lay
leadership.

United Methodist churches are encouraged to take an offering for the
Katrina Church Recovery Appeal around Aug. 29, the third anniversary of
Hurricane Katrina.

"We have a steadily expanding urban congregation, certainly one of the
most diverse in the conference," Anglim said. "If you look at the faces
sitting in worship on Sunday morning, you are looking at the faces of
New Orleans."

This racially diverse congregation is the result of a merger between
Grace United Methodist Church, historically African American, and the
predominantly white First United Methodist Church. The expansive church
complex, the former site of First Church, is located on Canal Street,
just a short drive from downtown.

In addition to worship and church programs, the church houses a women's
shelter. "Reports are saying that one in every 25 people in New Orleans
is homeless," Anglim added. "The second floor of the building is
currently occupied by 10 women, over half of which work at least one
job."

>'Cutting-edge ministry'

Across town in the Mid-City area, Mt. Zion United Methodist Church has a
free clinic called Luke's House. "This is cutting-edge ministry," said
the Rev. Connie Thomas, pastor. "Here is a chance for United Methodists
to do hands-on work, helping those in need as they recover from
Hurricane Katrina."

Badly damaged by the 2005 hurricane, Mt. Zion is in an underserved area
of the city. "Many of the residents are uninsured and need free health
care," said the Rev. Carol Winn Crawford, pastor of Rayne Memorial
United Methodist Church, a partner church in the project. "A lot of
children live in the area surrounding Mt. Zion."

Luke's House, currently lodged in the church's Family Life Center,
serves as a medical facility during the week and a sanctuary on Sunday.

"Our church needs to be completely restored, so we also worship in the
center," said Thomas, whose salary is supported by the Katrina Church
Recovery Appeal. "This examination area is like a M.A.S.H. unit which we
take down before services and put back up again to serve patients during
the week. Once we can get appropriate funding to repair the sanctuary,
this area will be devoted fully to the clinic."

Gifts from the appeal-combined with conference, district and some local
church funds-are used to provide base pay, travel, utilities, housing,
pension and health insurance for church pastors and staff. For
2008-2009, a total of 15 pastors and 10 staff will be supported fully or
partially through Katrina Church Recovery Appeal funds.

The Rev. James Moore, pastor of a two-point charge on the southwest
coast of Louisiana, knows firsthand the type of support provided through
the appeal. "My compensation package is completely underwritten by the
Louisiana Conference, which uses Katrina Church Recovery Appeal funds to
make that possible," he said.

The two churches-Grand Chenier United Methodist Church and Wakefield
United Methodist Church in Cameron-were both destroyed during Hurricane
Rita, which slammed into the coast nearly one month after Katrina in
September 2005.

With the help of dozens of teams and through major financial gifts from
church partners, the Grand Chenier church is fully rebuilt. The Cameron
church is currently under construction, and should be finished in time
for Christmas.

>Distribution center

During the last three years, United Methodists in the coastal community
have participated in major efforts to provide disaster relief and
recovery. Sweetlake United Methodist Church, which escaped major storm
damage, was the site of a large-scale distribution center that put
clothing, food, water and other needed items into the hands of area
residents.

One area of focus for local congregations has been to address the need
for clergy care and for taking care of mental health issues in a region
that has suffered extreme trauma.  Grand Chenier worked with Catholic
Charities to organize a recently held clergy care conference.

Despite huge hits to the shrimping industry, a significant component of
the area's economy, people living in these coastal towns remain
optimistic, according to Moore. "So much progress has taken place. We
continue to pull together as communities and churches to promote growth
and to tend to the spiritual and physical needs of the people. We are
living a 'new normal.'"

That "new normal" is developing throughout all areas of Louisiana
affected by the 2005 storms. A total of 47 United Methodist churches in
the Greater New Orleans area were destroyed or severely damaged by
Hurricane Katrina. Three churches in Cameron Parish were severely
impacted by Hurricane Rita.

Of the 47 churches damaged by Katrina, 35 are back in ministry. Six
churches have merged with other congregations, and six churches have
closed.

Moore said he now understands what it means to be part of a
"connectional" church.

"As United Methodists we talk about the connection, but this disaster
has shown me its true meaning and impact," he explained. "Major
financial gifts from partner churches, donated pulpit furniture, and
work teams from all over the world-through these things, our churches
have been rebuilt by the connection. United Methodists have put their
prayers and their money where their heart is."

Anglim speaks passionately about his appreciation for gifts received
through the Katrina Church Recovery Appeal. "First Grace UMC would not
have had a chance to rebuild without assistance," he said. "Because of
this generous support, we've been given enough time to create this
serving congregation, which is making a difference to a people in
recovery."

Donations to the Katrina Church Recovery Appeal #818-001 can be made
online at www.umc.org/churchrecovery or placed in offering plates in
local churches.

*Backstrom is editor of Louisiana Now!, the newspaper of Louisiana
Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. News media contact: Linda Bloom, New York, (646) 369-3759 or
newsdesk@umcom.org.

>********************

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

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