OPPORTUNITY
FOR MINISTRY
EMERGENCY RELIEF & DISASTER
RESPONSE -
Hurricane Katrina, U.S. Gulf Coast
Hope
Shall Bloom – United Church of Christ Hurricane Recovery
HOSPITALITY FOR KATRINA
REFUGEES
A MESSAGE FROM CONFERENCE MINISTER MARY SUSAN GAST, 9/5/05
 As I write to you on Labor Day, (September
5, 2005) the first groups of evacuees from the Gulf Coast have been
airlifted to the Bay Area. We expect that more people who have
lost their homes and possessions due to Hurricane Katrina will be seeking
shelter in California. Let us join with mayors and Red Cross
workers and the state office of Emergency Services to extend hospitality
to those in great need.
Currently, local governments are working with the Red Cross, Salvation
Army, Catholic Charities, and the California State Office of Emergency
Services to arrange for the initial large-group housing sites. If you have not already
done so, please contact your local governmental offices and/or any of the other
agencies mentioned above to find out what help may be needed in your community
in terms of food, clothing, or additional space, and set up a plan with your
congregation to help meet those needs. Let me know what is happening
in your community, and I will share that information with our sisters and brothers
throughout the Conference.
Church World Service is exploring with FEMA and the White House
how to utilize the CWS Refugee Resettlement Network to resettle
displaced persons who cannot or do not wish to return to the Gulf
states. We should have information
on these specifics by the end of this week.
Blessings to you all as you carry out the great ministry of hospitality and
welcome described in Matthew 25, "...for I was hungry and you gave
me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger
and you welcomed me...."
~ REV. DR. MARY SUSAN GAST, Conference Minister, Northern California
Nevada Conference United Church of Christ
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HURRICANE
KATRINA: CONTRIBUTE ONLINE
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