Gulf Coast Partnership

Our second Gulf Coast Work Team worked at Bethany UMC and Rayne Memorial UMC in New Orleans from July 23 - 30, 2006.
Spiritual Oasis - Article in The Times-Picayune

Following Hurricane Katrina a year ago, the congregation felt a need to become involved in a more hands-on way with the recovery efforts on the Gulf Coast. Working through the Louisiana Storm Recovery Center, FUMC was partnered with the Bethany United Methodist Church in New Orleans—a formerly vibrant and active congregation of 850 members in the Upper Ninth Ward. Through this partnership FUMC has sent two work teams to Bethany to give moral and spiritual support, and to work on the landscaping and beautification of the church grounds. An adult team went during Holy Week, and the Youth Team in late July. The two teams have managed to create an oasis of green, and a new sense of hope for the Bethany congregation, amidst the bleakness of the storm-damaged neighborhood that surrounds it.

In addition to supporting the work teams, persons and groups at FUMC have assisted Bethany’s recovery by providing Bibles, folding chairs, a new baptismal font, communion ware, stuffed animals, and even yellow ribbons to decorate the church fence. A small group of FUMC medical personnel are working to help Bethany re-establish a community health ministry. Frequent email and telephone communication with Bethany members and its pastor, the Rev. Hadley Edwards, has served to convey our support in a much-valued personal way, as has the awareness that we as a congregation continue to hold Bethany in our prayers.

Our next work team to New Orleans is now forming, and will be in New Orleans from October 15-22. This team anticipates completing the landscaping work at Bethany and will likely help “muck out” some storm-damaged homes. The team’s week will culminate with Bethany’s “Rededication Service” on October 22. Those going on the team are asked to pay their own expenses if possible and to help in fundraising for the project by sending an email appeal to family and friends. Those interested in being a part of this or a subsequent team should contact Jim Krause (310-839-5455), Leslie Nordby (310-306-0365), or the Rev. Larry Young (310-393-8258) as soon as possible. Persons wishing to help in a support capacity (public relations, fund-raising, etc.) may also contact any of these people. Gifts for the work project should be sent to the church with the notation “Gulf Coast Work Team” or “GCWT.” Credit card gifts may be made online.

Spiritual Oasis - Article in The Times-Picayune