AT ST. MATTHEW UCC IN NEW ORLEANS + A PARTNERSHIP WITH
THE CHURCHES OF PENNSYLVANIA SOUTHEAST CONFERENCE
AND UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST DISASTER MINSTRIES
On August 29 Hurricane Katrina made landfall in New Orleans bringing about one of the worst natural disasters our country has known. Soon 80% of the city was under water. Thousands of residents died or were unaccounted for, and over 240,000 homes were destroyed or left uninhabitable. Schools, hospitals and stores were closed; no electricity or drinkable water was available in much of the city. Within days a majority of city residents were evacuated.

Today, a half year later, not much has changed. Most schools, hospitals and stores are still closed. Many sections of the city still have no electricity or drinkable water, and the main utility company has filed for bankruptcy. Only a small portion of the residents have returned to New Orleans. Thus, it is not difficult to imagine the effect this has had on our churches—their membership, their income, and even their ability to survive.

Soon after the tragedy occurred, St. Matthew’s UCC in Chester Springs, PA, made contact with St. Matthew UCC in New Orleans (below). Throughout the fall and holiday season, they held a variety of special services, collected offerings and made Christmas ornaments, all to benefit hurricane victims. To date, the Chester Springs congregation has sent over $3,500 to St. Matthew in New Orleans. Likewise, many other PSEC congregations have sent money and work groups to the Gulf Coast.

While many members of St. Matthew have been displaced or are out of work and church income has been reduced by half, their building escaped serious damage. After learning that the building of a sister congregation had been flooded and was unusable, St. Matthew (predominantly white) invited Central UCC members (predominantly African American) to worship with them. Now, Sunday mornings at St. Matthew have a new spirit; people of all races meet to worship, pray and support one another through possibly the worst experience of their lives.

Building upon the initiative by St. Matthew’s in Chester Springs and in response to a request from South Central Conference, the PSEC Consistory voted to form a new Conference-wide partnership with St. Matthew UCC in New Orleans. On a recent fact-finding trip PSEC representatives, Rev. Joseph Irwin and Rev. Patrick Morris, met with Pastor Fred Meade and the St. Matthew Katrina Recovery Committee (right). While the full range of emotion was visible in their eyes, there was also excitement as they explored the vision of being part of the long-term disaster recovery ministries in New Orleans.

A Head Start program, previously housed at St. Matthew, has not returned since the Katrina evacuation. Therefore, much of their large educational facility sits empty (left). It is a perfect space to house church work groups and to play a significant role in the long process of recovery and rebuilding in New Orleans. Therefore, PSEC congregations and individuals are invited to join with St. Matthew and UCC Disaster Ministries in supporting this vital ministry.

HOW CAN WE HELP?
  1. Spiritually
    Pray for our partners, both in personal devotions and in our congregational prayers on Sunday morning.
  2. Physically
    Join or organize a work group. These are coordinated through UCC Volunteer Ministries. To learn more visit their website and scroll down to the section on "New Orleans." Click here to visit their website.
  3. Financially
    Provide on-going support. While funding and construction of most start-up projects have been completed, there is now need for on-going financial support for disaster ministries in the New Orleans area.
All financial contributions given through PSEC congregations will be designated as OCWM Special Support (second-mile gifts, beyond regular OCWM Basic Support). For more information about the Katrina Recovery Partnership contact the PSEC Church House at 610-489-2056.

  
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