| Volunteer Guestbook Entries |
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NEW ORLEANS STILL NEEDS HELP!! Prompted by Phoebe Griswold's connection with the Episcopal Relief and Development Fund, ten of us, Bishop's wives, went to New Orleans to work for six days with the Louisiana Diocesan Office of Disaster Response, funded by the Episcopal Relief and Development Fund and the Diocese of Louisiana. They are doing a remarkable job in the face of enormous displacement of people and resources. They offer training to enable volunteers to see the whole picture and learn not to fall prey to the blaming game of this or that organization and to understand the grief and distress the people who have lost everything but their lives as they try to bring some order out of the chaos, often with very few if any resources. We worked with the gutting program, taking flooded homes down to the studs for rebuilding, or a Mobile Unit, a big RV that goes to a disaster area, puts up a canopy and tables to give out paper products, food and water. Part of the 9th ward where we were working only had potable water this last month. Mobile medical units were also on those sites as well as a "Loaves and Fishes", a lunch-mobile from one of the churches: sandwiches, snacks, and lemonade or iced tea. Our crew leader, an amazing young woman with great sensitivity as well as a fine sense of humor took us on a tour of the city to see the extent and variety of the damage from Katrina, then Rita and even a tornado that came later. It was an incredible feeling to look out from a high bridge over the industrial canal to see acres of ruined homes or bulldozed lots and streets, empty. People still having to pay the mortgage on a house that no longer exists! Even the better parts of town are in recovery, stores and businesses just getting back to work. People were universally grateful for the presence and effort of volunteers. Even the rental car lady when she saw our boots said how grateful everyone was for the help coming from around the country. We were housed comfortably in a house next to a small chapel that had cots in all the bedrooms, a kitchen and common room. We did our own breakfast, made our lunches for the work day. Various events in the evening: one to a church who did a dinner for whoever showed up on Thursday and Friday nights, with a jazz band the night we were there helping. And at least one visit to the French quarter for a couple of us with wonderful music by a variety of bands. Some good New Orleans food and the best café au lait I have ever had along with beigners, a completely delicious doughnut thing just out of deep fat and covered with powdered sugar. Yum! We had dinner with the Bishop and his wife in their new house out in Slidell across Lake Ponchatrain which was hit 4 days after they had moved in! And they are only now getting back there. They are still hugely in need of volunteers, especially young people who may come for several months in time off from college or mid term break. There are many organizations trying to help, but I was really impressed with the diocese there, the kind of people they had on staff: our orientation lady was superb, made perfect sense and inspired us all. They will provide housing; volunteers are responsible for their own food and transportation. Our crew leader was a fabulous young woman, caring, funny, articulate, respectful of our several strengths and weaknesses. I found that I could barely lift one of the huge crowbars they were using to pull kitchen cabinets off the wall, and she found me a small one which she called a "prybaby" and I could go to town with that!! There were people from parishes in Atlanta, DC, etc; we probably got some special treatment since they expected Phoebe Griswold, the PB's wife, to be with us, but alas, she was ill and could not come. At one house in the ninth ward where we did ”contents” and gutting, the owners were asked if there was anything that they wanted to try to save. The man replied that his 6th grade son had won a most improved reading award that year and that would be the only possibility. The house was completely trashed, moldy, fallen ceiling, insulation mud, water still in containers on top shelves. We found the little trophy, made a tower out of old chairs and a tray, set it on top in the carport for him to find. Those tiny glimmers of hope were so important even to us and we could only imagine for him. One couple, white middle class, who had a nice brick home in a neighborhood of ramblers, were determined to go through all the completely ruined stuff, he 95, she 83. We went there one afternoon to help and in spite of the depressing state of things, managed to convince her to throw out enough stuff so that we could get one room clean down to the studs. He sat in a chair in the sun while we brought him stacks of books from his huge library, black with mold and pages stuck together. At the end of the day we had pitched out great piles of ruined household goods, but he had found a volume about navigation which a friend had written and inscribed to him, which he was so happy to keep. We all took off our masks and goggles, sat together and drank our bottled water in the sun; as Mrs. Greavy took off her mask, she turned from a little bent over mouse-like creature with a white snout to a lovely lady with a brilliant smile. It was a happy time; we took their picture and they took ours. We were grateful for the opportunity to help make it happen. I have a DVD which gives a good idea of just what a visit there entails. It was a great week. A beautiful city, although we never actually got down town, many of the old streets pretty much in tact, with wonderful architecture and huge old live oak trees. I would love to share more information and inspire anyone who may be thinking about it. The staff would welcome you with open arms and find just the sort of work that you could do and that they need! Hyde Tennis, Diocese of Olympia My name is pete nunnally, and i recenty volunteered with st james of leesburg, va about 2 weeks ago. i'm writing to tell you that i have never been involved in a volunteering opportunity that was as well run as this one. we gutted houses all day, and worked with 3 different worksite leaders, jake, dan, and emily. they were each in their own way excellent leaders and inspirational. to be able to work with young adults who have given up so much of themselves and devoted this time in their lives to doing nothing but gutting houses all day, leading new teams every day--this truly is the spirit of america. the entire program was fantastic, and i really appreciate the time that was taken to explain how it felt to be a homeowner, and the steps taken to make sure each team had a chance to visit with the homeowners. this hands-on approach cut through to my core, and magnified the experience in a way that allows us to be able to take our knowledge and feelings back home and share with others the desperation and devastation, the inspiration and hope, of the situation and the people affected. i am especially attached to the worksite supervisors--they worked so hard, and each had a great style. dan did a wonderful job explaining exactly how the city flooded, and when and where. this is extremely important in my mind to the whole process, to be able to know the before, during, and after. jake and emily were also terrific, steady leaders. jake had a great easy going personality and meshed well with our group, and worked extremely hard. emily was patient, informative, and answered all our questions, and was compassionate and tender when talking to the residents. thank you again for all your hard work, from the top down, and please know that this operation can only grow. i plan on bringing all my friends down in the summer, and to make as many trips down as possible. you are all God's angels. peace and love in Christ, pete nunnally teacher, blue ridge middle school The Trip to New Orleans Twelve people from St. Philips went to New Orleans. Eleven went to "muck out" houses, the process of removing ruined belongings, interior trim, walls, ceilings and insulation to expose a house's frame. The one RN who went worked with the mobile medical unit in various neighborhoods, including the lower Ninth Ward. The work team coalesced into an immediately productive unit, and when I originally wondered if we would complete 1 or 2 houses, we actually completed 6 in 5 days. That Father Barry would go was part of my inspiration. He was at the forefront of every tiring, smelly job. That Henrietta was consistently part of the labor team, the cooking team, and the laundry team earned her my "energizer bunny" award. That the women worked as hard as the men, and harder later in the day, without a break for broken fingernails, says that we were all equally inspired. That the men, age 58 to 79, worked hard as team members, whether shoveling and wheelbarrowing two feet of smelly mud out of a laundry room and garage, or building ramps and chutes for efficiency or bringing down every piece of a plaster and chicken wire ceiling down and getting it to the curb, says that the inspiration grew as we went. I hope that, looking at the twelve that went, each of the rest of the St. Philip's family might begin to envision and some day carry out a mission outside of his or her everyday lives, for in a team of ordinary people shoulder to shoulder with the Holy Spirit, miracles can and do occur. And we returned safely. The organization in place under the auspices of the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana has gutted 300 houses in New Orleans. There are 300 more on their list. Our group of eleven did 6 in a week. When 100 students come for Spring or Fall break they do 20 per week for 2 or 3 weeks in a row. The work of gutting will continue through next Spring. The exemplary young people leading the process are already looking at the costs for rebuilding the houses for families that are permitted to do so. Part of the inspiration from our visit was to see the well-thought out, rational and sensitive leadership from those like a young Holly Heine who was working to leverage the process with more housing for volunteer groups. And like the the 25 year old Katie Mears who heads the intake and triage process for those needing help the most. She scouts each of the jobs, organizes the team leaders and full time workers from college campuses nation wide for a full semester at a time, and goes to all the jobs and shows new teams how to work hard and smart, leading by example. Dan, Emily, and Sam, our work leaders, with their personal commitments to help others, they remind me of St. Philip's own young people who have stood up to describe their experiences in Haiti. I saw in them a toughness, tolerance, and commitment that I would pray to grow and infect more of their generation. New Orleans is still an interesting, multicultural city worth saving, at least the 60% closest to sea level. In the face of the blunders of FEMA and local and state government, the main hope that I saw was the stick-to-ativeness of the home owners, the commitment of the young people from nationwide universities, and the taking-up-the slack by local churches and national church organizations. I was particularly proud of the Episcopal Church and its relief and development efforts. We met Father Roger Allen who came to our sister church, the Chapel of the Holy Comforter, just one month before Katrina hit, and now stands as a tall man in the reemergence of the neighborhood around the University of New Orleans. We at St. Philips must get to know him well, and continue with our useful support of his church’s efforts. He, like our own Father Barry, has the special leadership quality for the best of times…and the worst. by David Forsyth We recently were given the task of summarizing our mission to New Orleans in a paragraph. As I sit to write my thoughts amazing, disturbing, incredible, unforgivable, loving, torn, exhausting, and rejuvenating fill my mind. There are too many individuals and too many stories to share in a short space. I was however, touched by the Priest whose eyes were filled with both a sense of overwhelming loss and at the same time those eyes gilstened with the determination of one sent on a mission. Then there was the school teacher who grew up in New Orleans. She beamed with the naivete of a child and teh faith that one day New Orleans will be a better city. It is her home and although she had nothing left to come home to - home is home. There was the 80 year old woman that lost everything, her husband, and her home to the storm and the flawed levy system. We, along with a crew from Pittsburg, removed 50 years worth of possessions and memories and piled them in her front yard. We tore out the walls that listened to years of family chatter and piled the debris on the lawn next to the memories. At the end of the day we watched as the FEMA trucks and equipment scooped it all up and hauled it away. All that remained were two empty shells; the shell of the house and the shell of an 80 year old woman left to ponder her remaining days. I was impressed by the college students that were there on summer break leading the relief efforts. Many of them volunteer their days to the effort and then work a part time job to save enough to return to school in the fall. We were reminded by the owner of one of the homes we worked on that it is the spirit of service that makes the United States the incredible country that it is. I was humbled by those we went to serve in return serving us. There wasn't a day that went by when someone in the group was personally thanked by a stranger. Not for working on the homes, or helping with the mobile respite care unit, or provideing vacation bible school. The thanks was just for being there, for remembering that there are thousands of people that are still hurting. In a paragraph, in a sentence, in a few words ... Love in action. -Mark Slocum St. Timothy's Episcopal Church West Des Moines, Iowa August 2006
New Orleans - One Year after Katrina
New Orleans has a special place in my heart. Not only because I grew up in Louisiana, but because the "Big Easy" is one of a kind. If you have ever been there, you know what I mean. When Hurricane Katrina hit almost a year ago, I sat in front of my television for hours with tears in my eyes. Like millions of other Americans, I wanted to help. Giving money eased my conscience, but somehow didn't seem enough.
Periodic stories about volunteer efforts tweaked my interest and stirred my spirit, but hey, there were always lots of reasons why I couldn't do that. Then I saw a very moving article in the Washington Post on Wednesday, August 3rd.
The reporter had spent a month working with a church program "gutting" houses to help residents save their property. The article described the effort as something of a funeral for the homeowners that provided needy victims with emotional closure and a chance to salvage what was left of their property. There was even contact information for anyone who wanted to volunteer.
Suddenly there were no more excuses; I knew I had to go. After a few phone calls to the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana (No, I didn't need to be Episcopalian, and yes, they provided cots and showers) followed by conferences with my wife and other boss, it was all set.
I moved so quickly there wasn't time to change my mind. By Saturday morning, I was roaring down the highway in a 94 Toyota Celica with a duffle bag of my oldest clothes and a sense of apprehension about what was ahead. Have you ever been to New Orleans in August?
After a stop in Baton Rouge to visit my 84-year old Mom (she is sharp as a tack and loves her baby boy), I arrived at St. Andrews Episcopal Church on South Carrollton Street at 6:30 Monday morning. It was the beginning of five of the hardest and most rewarding days of my life. The program was everything I had wanted it to be. It was targeted and organized. They needed help, and it doesn't take great skill to gut a house!
New Orleans residents face an approaching deadline by which work must be initiated on damaged property or the local government will literally bulldoze their house. It is a scary situation for those with limited resources, but there is a small army of 15 organizations that are helping. The Episcopalian Diocese of Louisiana's program is one of the best.
As a volunteer, your work day begins with a 7:30 a.m. briefing. Teams are formed (many volunteers come as a group) and everyone learns about the people to be helped that day. The Episcopal program targets those who need help the worst: the elderly, medically impaired or financially disadvantaged, and their stories break your heart.
Soon caravans are formed and depart in different directions. Trucks full of wheel barrows, sledge hammers, crow bars, snow shovels (how ironic), brooms, etc. lead vehicles full of volunteers from around the country and world across a wounded city.
New Orleans is an eerie place these days. Evidence of Katrina is everywhere. A lot of work is going on, but destruction is everywhere. Some areas seem almost normal while others appear to be ghost towns. Your first journey across town tells you what an enormous task residents face. But nighttime visits to the local pubs (well, you can't work all the time) let you know that the spirit of the people is very much alive.
Upon arriving at the work site, teams are often met by the homeowners. Sometimes they have traveled from distant relocation sites, and for some, it may be their first visit to the house since the hurricane. The first chore is always to spend time with the victims. They need to talk, and as hard as it is, you need to listen.
Eventually the work begins. The house looms like a warped time capsule: Clothes hanging in the closet, medicine lying on bathroom floors, furniture scattered about, and doors off hinges. Little clues to happier times are everywhere.
Windows are opened to combat the stench, face masks are donned, and the sound of gutting interrupts an otherwise silent neighborhood. Everything comes out. Most of it is moldy and much is still wet. Rank water is trapped in containers of all kinds and fills light fixtures hanging from the ceiling. As possessions are removed, tearful homeowners look for something, anything, worth saving.
When the contents are gone you start on the house. Carpeting, interior doors, trim, bookshelves, cabinets, toilets, and major appliances all come out. The interior walls are next, followed by the ceiling. If you are lucky, the sheet rock is not totally moldy or the insulation too wet. The waste is hauled outside, and dumped into segregated piles (food, hazardous substances, electronics, general debris, and major appliances). Soon a small mountain obscures the house. Inside, nothing but the studs and memories remain.
It takes about two days to gut a house, and would otherwise cost the homeowner at least $6,000. At peak activity this summer the Episcopal Diocese program had more than 150 volunteers, many of them college students. August's scorching weather (not everyone has my sense of timing) and the approaching fall semester have temporarily reduced the number considerably. But the need is great and the work will continue for a long time.
Upon my departure, I purchased a tee shirt that pictured General Andrew Jackson on his horse and proclaimed "New Orleans Will Ride Again." I also admired someone else's shirt that displayed house gutting tools and the motto: "Crowbars Not Blowhards."
Truer words were never spoken.
Bill Lafield, Arlington, VA
"As somebody going down for the first time, I didn't know what to -Susan Homar, Pohick Episcopal Church, Lorton, VA
-Barbara Black, Seattle, WA
God's peace to all of you!
Being the deacon at the table for Church of the Holy Spirit was a wonderful way to begin my time. It was special to me and I will never forget it. Going into Monday with the Loaves and Fishes truck, I met some wonderful people doing a special ministry. It also helped me greatly because there was nothing scheduled for me on Tuesday and while feeding a group of volunteers from Charleston and Louisville (Presbyterians), I asked and they were welcoming to let me join them on Tuesday. I also joined back up with them on Wednesday afternoon. Wednesday was spent in the lower 9th ward with the mobile unit from Church of the Annunciation. That also is a much needed ministry and I was glad to have the experience. We handed out bleach, blankets, water, snacks and a listening heart. Thursday as you asked, I went to St. Luke's to empty the gymnasium of all the ruined items. What really made that special was the 4 students from Israel who came and worked with Dan and I. Many hands make for light work and their hands were very helpful. Plus to see God working in such a wonderful way with different people of different faiths coming together!! Everyone at St. Andrews needs to be given a big long distance hug for their hospitality and assistance. Having the Chalstorm House was a blessing. I will admit it was a little hard in the evenings as no one was around most of the time. Katie had gone back to Iowa for the week and Dan was gone much of the time. Not knowing anyone and not knowing the city well, I pretty much stayed put and did a lot of crossword puzzles. I did venture out on Thursday evening for a glimpse of a parade and a bite to eat at St.George's. I have already been asked by some at our parish to arrange a group to come back and my wife seems to be understanding (ha ha). Also, I have made contact with the editor of The Record which is the diocese newspaper. They were at Christ Church Grosse Pointe when Bishop Jenkins visited this past Tuesday and they want to do an interview with me as a follow up article. So, I hope to stir up more interest in others in helping any way they can. Sorry this is a little long, but you needed to know that I am very glad I listened to God calling me to do ministry and work in New Orleans. There are no regrets.
God Bless
Dcn Keith Mackenzie
We felt that being able to be present at St. Anna's and the surrounding neighborhood was truly a blessing. We experienced and witnessed very strong and courageous people working through their tragedy toward "new life".Father Terry, Vicky, and Diana are amazing, and they were wonderful to us. They indicated that our presence was helpful as well.In our previous e-mail, we told you what all we had been involvd with both at St. Anna's and St. George's. We also took some 85 blankets to Covenant House. We got over to The Church of the Annuncition for two days before we left. That was another opportunity to experience an awesome "outreach"! Let me say, we were absolutely unprepared for the magnitude of the what our brothers and sisters are faced with on a daily basis. It seems almost overwhelming! We have written articles for our Diocesan Newpaper, as well as our church Newsletter, and many many friends across the country. Part of our message is raising the awareness of the continued need in the area. Another part, is asking folks to write their congressmen/women and ask that New Orleans and other affected areas get more help! We also asked for cards of encouragement, support, and prayers for the people of New orleans. They will be sent to St. Anna's for distribution. By way of reflection, it seems to me that the people of New Orleans, are in some ways, to be envied. They had a "world stopping event" that can give birth to Transformation. The Katrina castastrophy, if prayerfully and intentionally planned and executed, can unleash a whole new way of living and "being", in New Orleans. What is needed, to my way of thinking, is for brothers and sisters in Christ, throughout the Episcopal church, to join the survivors, and in solidarity with them, work toward a new vision. That goes for racism, economic and social disparity, political tensions, the educations system,jobs and housing, the whole works. It could be THE model for a New Community, based on justice, compassion, and equal opportunity. We must start by really listening to one another as we have never done before, a "holy listening". Then we roll up our sleeves and get to work. Rooted in Christ, we know of the possiblities! This is not just an idle reflection or thought. I am committed to doing all that I can to work toward that vision. Peace, Pete & Dianne Dawson
March 2006
January 21-28, 2006
This was a week of both the expected and the unexpected. Expected was the vast destruction of the gulf coast caused by hurricane Katrina and the subsequent flooding brought on by heavy rainfall and multiple failures of old and inadequate levees and pumping systems. Much has been said by the press about the poor engineering and maintenance of these flood control mechanisms. The press had also communicated the probable exacerbation of the overall situation by the construction of the Mississippi River-Gulf Coast (MR-GO) canal back in the 60�s. So witnessing these system failures was expected, as was the severe damage to homes, personal property, community infrastructure and the financial hardships resulting from inadequate insurance coverage and income loss. Even the terrible loss of life, which is still climbing daily, was expected. What I had not expected was the degree of faith, grace, and hopefulness of the residents returning and the workers (volunteers from all over the country and paid contractors). Some quick math for what is required to rebuild just one 2,500 square foot average home flooded by 4 to 6 feet of water would cause many to give up and walk away. I calculated that at least 200 man hours is required to �muck out� this average house (shovel out mud, remove destroyed furniture, appliances, carpets and personal items). Another 200 man hours then is required to strip out wallboard, ceilings, paneling, insulation, doors, air-conditioners, heating units, electrical fixtures, bathroom fixtures, tile and flooring. After drying out for several weeks, another 100 man hours are required to remove nails from studs and ceiling joists, and spray down everything with mold and mildew controlling chemicals. Then the volunteers work is done and the professionals can come in for finishing. Imagine the hopeless feeling if your home got 12 feet of water which is what we saw at one project home! But hopelessness was not what we saw. That was unexpected. The determination of St. George�s Episcopal Church, and the cooperative help of St. Andrew�s for housing volunteer workers, was particularly remarkable. Establishing an annual operating budget with less than half of the already limited pledging parishioner base, covering uninsured losses, and providing for identified needs for music and youth education is clearly a matter of faith and commitment. Father McLaren is dealing with this while personally handling, on a daily basis, pastoral care to so many with special needs at this time of crisis. Also unexpected was the very rewarding opportunity to grow spiritually with morning and evening prayer services coincident with our church�s mission of work and support. The team, made up of individuals who have known each other and worshipped together for many years, was drawn into a strong bond that will last for our lifetimes. And, like the teams before us, we have made lasting friends in New Orleans. The knowledge that people from another part of the country would come to aid and pray together with parishioners of St. George�s appeared to strengthen their resolve to pull together. I know that if the situation were reversed, they would come to our aid too. The effectiveness of the Dragon Café operation was another unexpected joy. Working together in the kitchen, and serving very tasty and free meals to approximately 150 parishioners and workers seemed to unite everyone participating (people of all colors and faiths) into a fellowship that otherwise would not have happened. Sitting and listening to these folks relate their stories seemed to help them cope. Finally, what was particularly unexpected and disappointing to me was the lack of responsible governmental leadership present (federal, state and local). This dominates discussion at all walks of life in New Orleans regardless of economic status. What seems so cruel is that the relatively small amounts of FEMA moneys paid out will, in many instances, be wasted when decisions (still pending) are ultimately made to raze certain severely damaged communities. Frustration and waste is the result of this lack of leadership. Decisions that may be unpopular must be made promptly for the good of the people and their future safety. This is not a Republican vs. Democrat thing. We need to correspond with our state representatives on both sides of the aisle accordingly. I am thankful for having had this opportunity to share, and look forward to continuing participation through our RWH planning committee functions. My experience last week will help me contribute to joint St. Matthew�s/St. George�s planning for even more efficient future work activities. I also look forward to another trip to New Orleans for work and faith sharing.
Bob Payne, St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Wilton, CT
Reflections on New Orleans
I was moved by the experience of working in houses, satisfying, tangible, physical work to do something helpful in a place that has seen such devastation. In my two days here it has seemed the diocese is running a great program: organized, competent, wonderful staff and developing relationships with people from across the country. This has truly been a memorable experience. I won't think of New Orleans the same way now that I've been here and seen it myself. I will keep praying for this area and the people here and I hope I can come back again.
Ascension, Dallas, TX
This has truly been a memorable experience. I won't think of New Orleans the same way now that I've been here and seen it myself. I will keep praying for this area and the people here, and I hope I can come back again.
Episcopal Church of the Ascension, Dallas
Better Than Any Vacation
Did you ever notice that when you set out to do something good for someone else, and you really go into it with a spirit of humility and agape love, you find that you receive far more than you give? Ask any of the 21 people who went on the St. James' mission trip to New Orleans last month and I think you will find that they felt blessed beyond words by the experience. The pictures say more than words can. If you didn't get the opportunity to see the slide show or video, ask anyone who went to show you some photos. Members of the team saw utter devastation both on a widespread scale in the Ninth Ward and within one house. It would be easy to get discouraged by the sheer scope of what will have to be done to rebuild New Orleans. One team spent the equivalent of 24 person-days working to clean out one house, and there are thousands more to be cleaned. Another team spent eight person-days removing trees from two other houses, and the trees may continue to fall for years. At the relief center where the pastoral care team worked, the line of cars waiting for the most basic of necessities continued unabated until the gates closed, and that happens every day. Truly there is an almost overwhelming amount of work to be done. But as the poem by Andy Shafer in this issue indicates, we did not go alone. God was with us every step of the way. We prayed before our planning meetings, we were anointed before we left, we said Morning Prayer before we set out to work, we prayed with those we met, and we shared a Eucharist before we came home. The team went with an attitude of determination, yet with servant hearts. We were prepared to change whatever plans we had made so we could do what was most needed. That's what will rebuild New Orleans: a sense of confidence that God will show us what needs to be done, the patience to actually let Him show us, and the willingness to follow through. As we discussed our favorite moments from the trip while we drove home, several things stood out: the fellowship shared by the team, the gratitude to all those who supported the trip, a sense of amazement in what we accomplished in two days of work. But the most universal feeling was the feeling of having God there with us as a member of the team, the tremendous blessing it was for each of us, and the sense that we have been profoundly changed. "I can do all things through God who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13 It is the fervent prayer of our team that others can share such a life-changing experience, however you might be called to participate. We would like to plan another trip in the April-May timeframe. If you are interested in going, in sending food, in praying, in collecting donations or money to send, or in joining in some other way, please contact me: jsaylors@swbell.net or (214) 348-8950.
OPERATION GOLDEN RULE; Trip #2 Report (December 4 - 12, 2005)
Team members: Barton Dick; Uncas McThenia; Jerry Nay and joining us from Baton Rouge, fellow Christians, Bill McMahan and Thomas LeBlanc. One of us, Jerry, had visited New Orleans a month ago with his wife Ann. He noted a marked change in that period of time. People who were then in despair seem now somewhat more alive. The three of us have a general impression - based on numerous conversations and encounters with store clerks, restaurant workers, and fellow Episcopalians - that a fragile but nonetheless genuine sense of hope is returning to this devastated city. We accomplished our stated goal of improving the Chapel House belonging to the Chapel of the Holy Spirit (which is located directly across the street from Tulane and Loyola Universities). That building will serve as living quarters for future workers who go to New Orleans to help in the renovation efforts. We believe that the loving support of our efforts shown by neighbors and members of the Chapel of the Holy Spirit congregation will continue and that the Chapel House will in time become Holy Ground. And the gift of hospitality shown to us by so many people who have suffered so much is something we will always cherish. We came away from the visit enriched in so many ways. One woman we met, Elvia James who serves as senior warden of St Luke's Parish, a predominantly African-American Episcopal church, lost her home and all her possessions. Yet she was there to meet us when we arrived and to help us unload a trailer which had been donated by a couple in Connecticut. Elvia was deeply grateful for the trailer which will be used by the church in is recovery work and generous with her time in talking with us. We learned of her personal tragedy from others. Joe Tucker, Lynn Parker and Linda Ireland, parishioners of the Chapel of the Holy Spirit, shared stories of the storm and loss with us. The co-chaplains of the parish, the Reverend Peggy Walker and her husband Francis King opened their hearts and hearth to us. We broke bread with them and Francis led us on a tour of the city which was painful but absolutely essential to our being able to get our minds around the extent of the devastation suffered by the city. We are of one mind in concluding that the tour of the lower 9thWard was a most significant learning for us. The devastation is beyond words. We entered the area at dusk and as night fell the darkness was overwhelming. A large portion of the city - once home to thousands of people is now uninhabited and uninhabitable. And yet, our neighbors Felix and Mary Famularo, long-time residents who did not evacuate their home spoke with pride of their "wonderful" city and hope for its recovery. It is beyond our collective wisdom to even attempt a theololgical analysis of what we have experienced. But we are certain of one thing - that in this Advent season of waiting, somehow the darkness will give way to light. For four of our five work-days, we were blessed by the presence of Bill McMahan of Baton Rouge who worked with us, doing hard, skillful work with an incredible Christian spirit. Bill is a pastor of a non-denominational, bi-racial church in Baton Rouge. He led us in daily prayer and early morning devotions. On one day we were joined by a young friend of Bill's, Thomas LeBlanc. Thomas joined our work efforts and provided music at several times throughout the day. What we want to convey in this report is less about our work and more about what we can best describe as a happening! Bill's showing up, Thomas the minstrel, parishioners who came by to pray and wish us well. Archdeacon Dennis McManus visited; joining us for hamburgers in a nearby student tavern and over the noise of some zydeco music told us of a well thought out strategy for the church's participation in the recovery efforts. Holly Heine also of the Diocese of Louisiana?s Office of Disaster Relief came to visit our work site. And we want to invite others to join in this event of Christian outreach. No special skills are needed. We want to make the Chapel House serve as a genuine place of hospitality for pilgrim workers in the months and years ahead, there is plenty of work to be done. In addition, the Diocese has ambitious plans including helping homeless residents negotiate the FEMA bureauracy, providing mental health and financial counseling help to residents of the city .....the list is endless. We hope to return soon. Think about bringing your sleeping bag and joining a team. We don't know where the happening will lead next time but we know it will finally be a whole lot more exciting than Mardi Gras! The three of us would like to thank you for your prayer support of us. We have other thanks to offer as well: to the Christian Outreach Committee and its chair MJ Mayerchak, to the Diocese of Louisiana and our point-of-contact Holly Heine, and to our congregation for its generous financial support and in-kind contributions for this effort which we have named Operation Golden Rule. We are eager to share our experience with those who want to hear. We expect that time might be set aside in the near future for a short period of sharing and a showing of a video tape which focuses on several interviews of victims telling some of their Storm Story, each expressing their gratitude for the support of our parish.
Faithfully,
December 1 - 4, 2005 - Diocese of New Jersey
The Diocese of Louisiana remains in our prayer of thanksgiving.
Our first "jump team" from Christ Church in Woodbury NJ arrived home last evening after spending four days in the Diocese of Louisiana. We were invited by our sister parish (Christ Church, Covington) to assist them in their recovery efforts. Team members Matt Baldwin, Mike Sanchez, Darcie Sanchez and Paul Godly were assigned the reconstruction of the interior of the Caritas Center. The Caritas center is a Roman Catholic retreat/conference center and convent 15 minutes outside of Covington, Louisiana. It serves as an integral facility for many of the outreach ministries conducted by Christ Church in Covington. The Caritas Center sustained major damage during Hurricane Katrina losing its roof and destroying the interior of the retreat house. The assessment placed damages within the category of major uninsured losses. Christ Church in Woodbury, NJ is considered the second and third stage response of a three part recovery effort. The first team from another Episcopal parish replaced the roof. The second team from Woodbury, New Jersey accomplished replacing the interior ceiling and replacing drywall. The third team (Sean Garvin, T.J. Scott, Fred Daugherty and Tom Steffney), also from Woodbury, will accomplish the installation of a laminate floor. Upon completion, the facility will again be available for sustaining outreach ministries hosted by Christ Church Covington as well as other area parishes and ministries. Our relationship with Christ Church in Covington began shortly after winds subsided. It was magnified in these joint ministries and with the jump teams sharing in Eucharist on their respective Sunday's of visitation. It continues with our Sunday school writing notes, exchanging letters and sending banners of encouragement. The first team was in Covington from Thursday, December 1st through Sunday December 4th. The second team arrived Friday, December 9th through December 12th.
In the peace of God, which passeth all understanding;
Fr. Brian Burgess
November 23, 2005 - Report on the visit to the home of a St. Luke's, New Orleans parishioner and his wife
By Marilyn Gascon and Fr. Jim Shortess, Rector, Holy Communion Episcopal Church, Plaquemine, LA
Dear Holly
The following are some of my observations regarding the type of work mission that we went on to a flooded home in Orleans parish. Marilyn and I talked at length on our return and I believe we share the same thoughts. It was suggested that we bring a sledge hammer and we did. We did not need it to get into the home but to bust apart large pieces of furniture that couldn't get out the front door. That furniture was two large sofas and an entertainment center. Had we brought with us a wheelbarrow we could have been more efficient accomplishing more in the time that we were there. We did bring with us a hand truck it proved to be very helpful. We also brought with us a large push-broom, which likewise proved to be very helpful. A large scoop type shovel would have been wonderful to have had. In that environment I personally could not have worked any longer. I would say that five hours is about as long as you can expect. Marilyn and I both wished that we had eaten a rather large breakfast so that we could have skipped lunch. By the time that we stopped to eat lunch time we were so grungy and the stench was so strong we could hardly eat. We would also like to suggest that before a team goes in to do this type of work that the home owner would have already removed everything they wanted to save. Basil, bless his heart, is so distraught we were making the decisions as to what to keep and what to toss. The release statement that they signed gave us comfort.
Path-finding Trip Report: OPERATION GOLDEN RULE; 1st Trip to Louisiana (Nov 1 - 5, 2005)
Devastation; despair; the possible on-set of depression; fatigue; hopelessness may be ways to describe our initial impressions associated with our "path-finding" trip to Louisiana. Hope; opportunity; Christian outreach are the bright notes that we have brought home with us. Our first stop was Christ Episcopal Church, Slidell, Louisiana. There we met (recently ordained) Deacon Milton Gibson and his wife Beth. They (alone?) may be the ones holding that flock together. We walked into their Parish Hall which is the collecting place of dwindling supplies (much along the lines of the attached list of items our Christian Outreach Committee at R. E. Lee Church purchased plus many cases of food). Our supplies were immediately unpacked and began to be handed out within minutes. Some people have lost everything; their home, their work, their friends, and some family members. As we spoke with some, we learned that their remains great question on the extent of insurance coverage, on how soon clean-up will begin, and who will help. There is a thin line between calm conversation and tears. (Indeed, just two days before our arrival in Slidell, there were three suicides.) Yes, our supplies were deeply appreciated and much needed, but only a small contribution toward a huge continuing need. Our biggest contribution was being there. That evening, we participated in a celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Few attended. Next, we drove to New Orleans, a city that runs the gamut; from total destruction to no apparent loss. Some of the total destruction areas appear to us to be beyond reclamation. While we were there, we heard speculation that whole developments may be removed and the areas returned to wet lands. Some of the streets looked like a Hollywood horror film where everyone evacuated, abandoning their silt-covered homes with doors wide open (or missing) and contents exposed to the elements. Rubble is piled most everywhere.
Respectfully submitted,
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