Katrina Response

Restoring Hope in Mississippi

katrina2 On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina became an equal opportunity destroyer. The savage wind and tidal waves destroyed rich and poor, homes, hopes, dreams and jobs. Thousands of square miles along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, once home to thriving businesses, stately homes, golf resorts, museums, schools, playgrounds and hospitals, as well as an increasingly popular tourist destination, were completely destroyed, wiped off the map. Entire communities were gone, and in the days and weeks after, it seemed as though much of the hope was gone for the people of this area, as the task of recovery seemed insurmountable.

Hurricane Katrina has become the worst national disaster in the history of our nation.

And yet, days after the storm swept through the Gulf Coast, the Episcopal Church was there, providing medical attention, food, water, shelter, and the assurance that God, even in the midst of such terrible circumstances, had not forgotten those who had literally nothing left. Providing Hope.

All six of our Episcopal churches, which were wiped off their foundations, are committed to rebuilding. The people of the Gulf Coast of Mississippi need to know that the Church will always be there for them. Giving Hope.

Our Need

The Bishop of Mississippi has made funding clergy salaries and rebuilding the churches his priority. Episcopal Relief and Development has provided funds in overwhelmingly generous amounts for community rebuilding and housing needs to thousands in the region, but by their charter cannot fund salaries for clergy or for church rebuilding...Six churches were destroyed

How can I help?

Clergy Salaries $1,500,000
We need to raise money to provide clergy salary, health insurance and pension for 3-5 years until the congregations become self-sufficient again. The Diocese, the Church Pension Fund and thousands of private donors have provided funds since the storm but we need to continue to support our clergy so that they can tend to the needs of their parishioners and rebuilding of the churches.

Church Rebuilding $3,000,000
Each church received property insurance settlements, establishing a base for rebuilding. But in today's dollars, and in a region where employment and materials are still scarce, the cost of rebuilding has skyrocketed. Those in the pews are providing sacrificially to their church, even in the midst of rebuilding their own homes and businesses but it is going to take more.
Contributions

Partnered Parish Ministries

Hundreds of congregations across the country have partnered with our destroyed and affected congregation, forming our Partnering Parish Program. If your congregation would like more information about partnering with one of our coast churches, please click here .