Gulf Coast UMs remember
’05 storms

United Methodist News Service
For many along the Gulf Coast, the countdown to the new year started Aug. 29, not Jan. 1.
Hurricane Katrina hit Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana Aug. 29, 2005. Less than a month later Hurricane Rita slammed into Texas and Louisiana Sept. 24.
As the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina arrived, United Methodist congregations everywhere paused to remember lives lost and gave praise for lives saved. Congregations were to collect an offering Aug. 27 for the Council of Bishops’ Katrina Church Recovery Appeal.
United Methodist volunteers have put thousands of hours into the recovery effort and donated $7.6 million in relief supplies. The United Methodist Committee on Relief raised more than $66 million and was recognized by Newsweek magazine as one of the “big names in Katrina relief.”
In New Orleans, Katrina damaged 90 United Methodist church buildings and displaced 80 pastors.
In Mississippi the entire coastline from Pearlington to Pecan was flattened, and more than 300 United Methodist churches suffered some damage. Seven were destroyed.
In Alabama, one United Methodist church was destroyed. Another dozen suffered damage.
Hurricane Rita damaged United Methodist church property in Beaumont, Port Arthur, Orange and Bridge City in Texas and in Lake Charles and Cameron Parish in Louisiana.
A variety of services and vigils at United Methodist churches marked the anniversary of Katrina.
The Seashore District of Mississippi played host to an Aug. 26 Hurricane Katrina Remembrance Service at Seashore Assembly in Biloxi.
The service remembered the lives lost in the storm and lifted up in prayer the pastors and others who have been on the front line of relief and recovery. Bishop Hope Morgan Ward, the leader of the Mississippi Episcopal Area, spoke.
The doors of United Methodist churches in the New Orleans area were open for prayer vigils from 7 to 8 p.m. Aug. 27 and 28.
Aug. 27 vigils were at Munholland, First Street, Bethany, Aurora and Aldersgate UMCs.
Aug. 28 vigils were at St. Matthew’s, Rayne, Covenant, Gretna and Hartzell Mount Zion UMCs.
First UMC, Baton Rouge, offered a service of “Remembrance, Thanksgiving and Hope” Aug. 27.
The Council of Bishops is inviting United Methodist congregations to support the Katrina Church Recovery Appeal by receiving a special offering for church rebuilding.