August 6, 2008
By Betty Backstrom

NEW ORLEANS – 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 http://www.umc.org/churchrecovery/, or placed in offering plates in local churches.

United Methodist News Service
Betty Backstrom is editor of Louisiana Now!, the newspaper of Louisiana Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.