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IN THIS SPECIAL HURRICANE ISSUE:



Editor's note: As we prepare these reports, please realize that communication out of and into the hardest hit areas has been difficult. Sometime we have received conflicting reports about PCA ministers, members and churches. We make attempts to check reports before posting them; we will make corrections as quickly as possible in future updates.



Reports as of Sept. 1, 2005:

Reports about PCA minister Mo Leverett, Director of Desire Street Ministries (which includes a church as well as a housing project): the buildings are completely under water and one of the hardest hit areas in New Orleans. Mo and his family are safe, are in the Atlanta area, but they have likely lost everything they own, and the ministry of Desire Street will have lost everything it owns as well. Go to the Desire Street site for updates: http://www.desirestreet.org/hurricane.php.



Hurricane Relief – Meeting Immediate Needs in Louisiana

We are presently working with other churches in town to provide relief for refugees from Katrina. If you want to help, we need pillows, towels, sheets, books, non-perishable foods, bottled water, clothes, diapers, toiletries. You can ship these goods to our church. If you want to make a monetary contribution, make checks payable to "Acadiana Presbyterian Church" with the memo "Katrina". Mail the check to Acadiana Presbyterian Church, 1515 W. University Ave., Lafayette, LA 70506. From Rev. Stan Pace, pastor of Acadiana Presbyterian Church, PCA, in Lafayette, La.



First Presbyterian in Gulfport, Miss.

The First Presbyterian Church of Gulfport. Located immediate across the street from the Gulf on U.S. 90. Its building is still standing, but everything (even those pieces of furniture bolted to the ground) inside is gone; this includes the pews, pulpit and organ – nothing is left on the first level and most of the second level is empty. It is just a building with four walls.

Adopt a Displaced PCA Family?

A number of PCA members have e-mailed us with the suggestion that PCA churches and members consider "adopting" PCA members displaced because of Hurricane Katrina. There is some discussion of this adoption program, but it will require setting up an administrative process to put it into place. Until a firm plan is put together, pray about and evaluate your circumstances and be prepared to assist this way if the way be clear.

From Roger Collins, Stated Clerk of Mississippi Valley Presbytery

September 1, 2005

As you may know, things South of MS Valley Presbytery are horrific. In central Mississippi we still do not have electricity in many homes and churches. Hence limited internet access as well. Much damage from the Katrina (which was level one when it hit the Jackson area) and from falling trees.

We are working with Disaster Relief of MNA (Ron and Judy Haynes, e-mail RHaynes@pcanet.org) to begin to set up a PCA response team. MS Valley has a Disaster Relief Team headed up by TE Tim Muse of Brandon Presbyterian Church. We plan to seek to facilitate under Ron's leadership a response center where we can reach out to our churches and PCA folk within Grace Presbytery and in the New Orleans area with hands on help and aid.

I understand the biggest need is money which may be sent to MNA for disaster relief ( 1700 N. Brown Rd., #101, Lawrenceville, GA 30343) or the Mississippi Valley Presbytery (c/o Rod Russ, 1501 Mossline Drive, Ridgeland, MS 39211-2826). Either place, donations will go entirely to the relief work itself. Ron hopes to coordinate teams as soon as that becomes feasible with a station operating out of Hattiesburg if possible. To read more of the summit meeting to organize disaster response, go to http://byfaithonline.com/partner/Article_Display_Page/0,,PTID323422|CHID664014|CIID2083434,00.html.

Idea of a Hurricane Relief Project Where You Live

Here is what Parkview PCA in Lilburn, Ga., is doing to minister to the "refugees" from the hurricane ravaged areas in the Atlanta area; this letter was sent to the congregation:

Thousands of people along the Gulf Coast are in desperate circumstances as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Teams of workers and volunteers are being mobilized to assist in meeting the overwhelming needs. As a church we want to band together and quickly respond by providing essential-to-life things. We are exploring opportunities to send teams to the affected area. If you are interested in going, please let the pastor know.

The Lilburn Co-op, as a link of the Red Cross, is serving displaced families who have evacuated to local hotels. As our backyard mission Parkview would like to provide kits filled with basic items for these families. We suggest you invite your neighbors to join with you in gathering items for the kits. This would be a great opportunity to get your whole family involved in going door-to-door in your neighborhood to collect much needed supplies. Bring all items to Room 125 this Sunday morning at 9:30. In lieu of Sunday school you can pack your kit ready to be delivered to Lilburn Co-op and local hotels. This will meet some of the incredible needs of the refugees here in the Atlanta area and will give those of us who are anxious to help - a way to do something!

If you are interested in housing a refugee family in your home, please call the church office.

Try to imagine your family in a hotel; what would you need? Games, books, small toys for the children? Magazines, books for parents? Include any items in your kit that you would want for your family.

Here are items needed for the kits:

FAMILY KIT

Mayonnaise

Mustard

Canned sandwich meat – pop top

Canned fruit – pop top

Paper napkins

Water bottles

Personal items: shampoo,

toothbrushes, toothpaste,

deodorant, etc.



FAMILY KIT - WITH INFANTS

Mayonnaise

Mustard

Canned sandwich meat – pop top

Canned fruit – pop top

Paper napkins

Water bottles

Personal items: shampoo,

toothbrushes, toothpaste,

deodorant, etc.

Baby food, formula, diapers,

wipes

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