January 22, 2009

NEW YORK – The National Council of Churches Special Commission for the Just Rebuilding of the Gulf Coast has scheduled the third annual Ecumenical Work Week in Gulfport and New Orleans this August 2-8.

The work week, which has been growing steadily since it began in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, is expected to attract more than 100 volunteers who will spend a week working on houses still needing repair since the hurricane's devastation. As in past years, their labors will take place in an atmosphere of worship and witness.

Volunteers will choose to work in either New Orleans or Gulfport, Miss. They can download a registration form at http://www.ncccusa.org/pdfs/EWW2009registrationform.pdf, and return it along with a $25 per person registration fee to the NCC's Washington Office, 110 Maryland Avenue, NE, Suite 108, Washington, DC 20002.

Volunteers will be asked to provide their own transportation to and from New Orleans of Gulfport. Assistance with housing will be provided by the Ecumenical Work Week staff.

Additional information can be found at the Special Commission Web site, http://www.ncccusa.org/justrebuilding/.

National Council of Churches USA