ERSM - What Brethren are doing to respond to Gulf Coast Hurricanes

Oct. 21, 2005: E-Headliner Newsletter:
VIRLINA DISTRICT

Virlina Congregations Unite to Give to Disaster Response Efforts

Congregations in Virlina District continue to receive offerings to assist the work of our denomination and the wider church in reconstruction where storms such as Katrina and Rita have caused so much destruction. These should be forwarded to the District Office at 330 Hershberger Rd., NW, Roanoke, VA 24012, and marked for "Hurricane Katrina" and "Account #33503." As of today we have received $135,802.10 from the following 74 congregations and fellowships, as well as two organizations:

Antioch, Bassett, Beaver Creek, Bethany, Bethel, Bethlehem, Blue Ridge, Boones Chapel, Boones Mill, Burks Fork, Calabash-New Vision, Christiansburg, Cloverdale, Collinsville, Concord-Living Faith, Coulson, Crab Orchard, Daleville, Danville-Emmanuel, Danville-First, Duncan Chapel, Durham-Peace Covenant, Eden-First, Germantown Brick, Good Shepherd, Green Hill, Fairview-Floyd County, Fairview-Rocky Mount, Hopewell, Jeters Chapel, Jones Chapel, Laurel Branch, Lighthouse, Lynchburg, Maple Grove, Monte Vista, Mount Bethel, Mount Hermon, Mount Joy, Mount Union, New Bethel, New Covenant, New Hope, Nineveh, Oak Grove-South, Oakvale, Olean, Parkway, Peters Creek, Pleasant Dale, Pleasant Valley, Pleasant View, Poages Mill, Pulaski-First, Red Hill, Red Oak Grove, Roanoke-Central, Roanoke-First, Roanoke-Hollins Road, Roanoke-Ninth Street, Roanoke-Oak Grove, Roanoke-Summerdean, Roanoke-Williamson Road, Rocky Mount-First, Selma, Shelton, Smith Mountain Lake, Spruce Run, Stonewall, Topeco, Trinity, Troutville, White Rock, Southern Area Women's Fellowship, and Church Women United of Roanoke.

We appreciate the continuing good response. Please note that the above listing contains only those congregations and organizations which gave through the district office as of Oct. 17.

Oct. 13, 2005: E-mail Note:
GLENN WELBORN

Note to readers: Glenn Welborn is a Church of the Brethren member and Director of Mutual Aid Ministries for Mutual Aid Exchange (MAX), an Anabaptist related insurance company. He worked with pastor Jim Balmer of Roanoke (La.) Church of the Brethren on clean up in the Roanoke area following Hurricane Rita. Balmer calls him the "Disaster Pastor."

A man named Glenn Welborn recently helped my father, Dave Shirley, in the town of DeQuincy, La., by cutting some trees that had fallen in Rita. Such compassion for my family by a brother in Christ is more inspiring and reassuring of the movement of the Holy Spirit than a million sermons. Thank you.

Hank Shirley

Oct. 12, 2005: E-mail Note:
THE CAGE FAMILY

Below is a note I received from Beth and Todd Cage of Lewiston (Minn.) Church of the Brethren. Beth was our 2004 District Conference moderator. Todd serves on our Mission Possible Committee. Both have been Church Board chair in their congregation. Their son, Parker, was born prematurely by several weeks. Beth was serving on the District Board at the time and many in the district were praying for that tiny boy.

Peace and grace,
Connie Burkholder, Northern Plains District Executive Minister

“The Birthday Party”

For a soon-to-be six-year-old the prospect of a birthday party brings about great anticipation. The friends, the cake, the games, the pinata, the presents. For the parents however, the prospect of 20 kindergartners all bringing a present for the birthday boy is a bit much.

So the parents in their "infinite" wisdom talk to the birthday boy about perhaps helping someone else instead of just getting tons of presents. And the birthday boy, who has a big heart, and who has seen the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina says, "Sure, I think it would be a good idea to help those people."

Which is what we did. When the party invitations were sent to the entire class of kindergartners a slip went inside each one asking not for gifts but for supplies to make Gift of the Heart health kits to send to the victims of the hurricane. Only a couple of parents called to make sure they understood the directions correctly, no present, just supplies.

The day of the party had finally arrived. The grandparents were there to help chaperone (and they were allowed to bring presents), the garage was set up and decorated, the cake was made, the balloons were blown up, the pizzas were made. It was time.

The first child arrived and made his way to the backyard. "Nice backyard" was his comment. He went to the garage and put his supplies in the designated piles, then grabbed a ziplock bag and went to work filling his health kit with all the necessary ingredients. When he was done, he asked to do another one, since we had bought extra supplies he was able to make as many as he wanted.

After all the children had had an opportunity to make their health kits, we proceeded on with the birthday party. Everyone had a great time, especially when it was time to break the piñata. That was so fun, and of course there were treat bags for the children to fill from the goodies in the piñata. Soon after that parents started to arrive to pick up their children and the party was over.

By the end of the day, all the health kits were checked and delivered to the church. A total of 40 health kits were made because of one little boy's kind and loving heart and his willingness to give instead of receive.

Oct. 9, 2005: Update on Collection:
VIRLINA DISTRICT

Dear Friends, some thoughts for your prayers of thanksgiving and concern: As of today, we have received over $113,000 from the people and congregations of the Virlina District for relief and reconstruction in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita. Total disaster fund giving through the district office during the past year has totaled over $218,000.

Oct. 7-8, 2005: Fundraiser at District Conference:
ATLANTIC SOUTHEAST DISTRICT

Over $10,000 was raised for the victims of Hurricane Katrina at this year’s Atlantic Southeast District Conference, reported district executive minister Martha Beach. The district’s 81st conference was held at Orlando (Fla.) Community Church of the Brethren on Oct. 7-8.

Oct. 7, 2005: E-news from Purdue University’s Child Development and Family Studies:
JUDY MYERS-WALLS

Judy Myers-Walls, associate professor and extension specialist at the Child Development and Family Studies of Purdue University, coordinated the following hurricane relief effort at the university. She is a member of Lafayette (Ind.) Church of the Brethren. This report appeared in the e-newsletter of the College of Consumer and Family Sciences:

“In the weeks following hurricanes Katrina and Rita, our thoughts have been with the overwhelming number of victims along the Gulf Coast who have lost family and friends, their homes and jobs...their way of life. Like many of you, those of us in the College of Consumer and Family Sciences wanted to help.

“One relief effort that has united faculty, staff, and students in the college is a project to prepare and package kits for adults and children affected by a disaster. The "Health Kits" contain basic hygiene items, such as a washcloth, soap, and a toothbrush. There are also "Kids Kits" which are filled with basic necessities as well as small toys and school supplies.

“The desire to help with this project, spearheaded by Judy Myers-Walls, associate professor in the Department of Child Development and Family Studies (www.cfs.purdue.edu/cdfs), spread quickly throughout the college. Even the children in the Purdue Child Care Program and Child Development Laboratory got involved in the project, bringing in donations from home. To date, we have prepared and mailed more than 160 kits.

“Dr. Myers-Walls is also a Purdue Extension specialist and has developed helpful materials on how parents, teachers, and other adults can talk with children about catastrophic events, such as Hurricane Katrina.

“For information on helping children understand disaster, please visit the CFS Extension Human Development Web site www.ces.purdue.edu/cfs/topics/HD/index.htm.

Dennis Savaiano, Dean
Consumer and Family Sciences
700 W. State Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2059

Oct. 4, 2005: Special Offering, Volunteers:
LAKEVIEW CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN, BRETHREN, MICH.

At Lakeview Church of the Brethren in Brethren, Mich., a special offering was lifted up on Sept. 25 for Katrina victims. Our women’s fellowship has pledged money for that purpose as well.

Two people of our extended church are among those having gone to work in the area of devastation. One is a nurse having completed the necessary training and waiting to be called. The other is an EMT who is presently at work in the south–possibly for 30 days. A work unrecognized (in numerous cases, no doubt) is that of his wife and family. There are three teenagers and a younger child. There are farm animals to care for and the mom teaches in a community 30 miles away, and all the responsibility at home in the father’s absence.

Lois Hillsamer

Oct. 4, 2005: Kits and Cash Collection:
WESTMINSTER (MD.) CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

Westminster Church of the Brethren is taking the following actions in response to Hurricane Katrina:

Twenty-four members packed Gift of the Heart Health Kits and School Kits and unloaded materials received at the Brethren Service Center on Sept. 24.
We are collecting cash donations for the Emergency Response program.
We are putting together Health Kits for the Emergency Response program. We expect to provide one health kit for each member of our congregation.

William Achor

Oct. 5, 2005: Announcement of Disaster Child Care Training:
MOUNT MORRIS (ILL.) CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

Disaster Child Care Training Workshop on Oct. 21

Men and women who are interested in providing child care after a disaster are invited to a Disaster Child Care training workshop at Mount Morris Church of the Brethren (409 W. Brayton Rd., Mt. Morris, Ill.) on Friday, Oct. 21, from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. The usual registration fee of $45 is being waived due to the urgent need for volunteers. Donations will be accepted.

The workshop teaches participants about crisis intervention to the youngest victims of natural and man-made disasters. While parents tend to post-disaster clean-up activities and fill out required forms for assistance, the children of disaster victims take part in activities designed to calm their fears and relieve stress.

If you are interested in signing up for the training workshop, contact Uldine Baker at 815-734-6434 or the Mt. Morris church at 815-734-4573. The workshop has a minimum of 10 and maximum of 25 participants.

If you are traveling from a distance lodging can be arranged.

Uldine Baker, Witness Chair

Oct. 3, 2005: Press Release:
MANCHESTER COLLEGE, NORTH MANCHESTER, IND.

Hurricane relief continues to attract generous donations through Manchester College efforts

With cash donations totaling more than $15,235 and rising, a 70-donor turnout for a blood drive, toiletries collections and prayer, the Manchester College community and neighbors continue to support the recent hurricane victims in the southern states.

Meanwhile, the campus Office of Volunteer Services is arranging opportunities for students to volunteer in affected areas during January Session or spring break. The campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity also is hoping to take its home-building and repair skills to a Mississippi community.

In a wild contest among residence halls, fundraising ranges from penny wars to a spaghetti dinner and door-to-door collections. Garver Hall, which raised $1,300 last Christmas for area struggling families, is a definite challenger. The college will continue to gather donations at home games. Manchester College students have a culture of service and giving: last year, they volunteered almost 10,900 hours.

Sophomore Tarran Day is leading a supply drive in collaboration with Heartland Ministries, which will transport the donations to the regions in need. Boxes are set up on campus for deposits of toiletries such as shampoo, soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes, feminine products, and deodorant. The toiletries drive will continue through Homecoming weekend, Oct. 14-16.

Day, who is majoring in psychology and pre-law, learned that Heartland Ministries is sending supplies to the victims. "While there is a need for money to be sent, there also is a need for supplies, as it will be difficult for those volunteers there to buy these supplies," said Day, of Tipton, Ind. "By shipping the supplies directly to the areas affected, they can be used right away to cover the need."

Cash donations for the hurricane victims continue to arrive daily in the college Business Office, from student groups as well as faculty, staff, alumni, and area Church of the Brethren congregations. The Church of the Brethren has a tradition of emergency response and relief efforts and has been collaborating with Church World Service in aiding the hurricane victims. The Brethren Service Center so far has shipped almost 28,000 blankets, 75,000 health kits, 6,750 school kits and 4,100 cleanup buckets for the hurricane victims.

To make a cash donation, visit the campus business office or send checks to Disaster Relief, Business Office, Manchester College, 604 E. College Ave., North Manchester, IN 46962. Please make checks to Emergency Disaster Fund. The donations are tax-deductible. For more information on the Church of the Brethren Emergency Response Fund, see www.brethren.org/genbd/ersm/.

For more information about this story contact Jeri S. Kornegay, director of Media and Public Relations, Manchester College, 260-982-5285 or 888-257-2586, jskornegay@manchester.edu.

For more information about Manchester College see www.manchester.edu.

Oct. 2, 2005: Special Offering:
BLISSVILLE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN, PLYMOUTH, IND.

Blissville Church of the Brethren, Plymouth Ind., Northern Indiana District, in a special congregational offering on Sept. 25 raised $1,211 for Church of the Brethren Disaster Relief. The church’s Women’s Fellowship has prepared 186 Gift of the Heart Kits. The Happy Hearts Sunday School class also contributed $100 worth of various items to give to The Cross Walk Christian Bookstore in Plymouth, to help out a church in Alabama.

Pastor Jimmy Baker

Oct. 1, 2005: District Disaster Collection:
MICHIGAN DISTRICT

The Emergency Disaster Fund of the General Board has received $10,452 from congregations and individual members in Michigan District. This total represents donations to disaster work received from Sept. 1 through 30.

Sept. 30, 2005: Press Release:
ELKHART (IND.) VALLEY CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

Local church collecting gifts of the heart

Elkhart (Ind.) Valley Church of the Brethren is responding to the needs of displaced families and children through a collection drive for Gift of the Heart School and/or Health Kits. The congregation hopes to collect 500 kits by Oct. 31.

“In the face of overwhelming need in the wake of Hurricane Katrina,” said Rev. Beth Sollenberger Morphew, “and knowing that there are many more needy places around the globe, we recognize that we are a gifted people, and we need to be generous.”

The kits—when given to children and families who would otherwise find it difficult to obtain these basic, every day items—can be the first step on the path that leads to hope for many.

“The contents of the kits may seem small and insignificant to us, but they make a world of difference to our neighbors in need, both locally and globally, who have lost everything,” said Madalyn Metzger, chair of the church’s service commission. Once collected, the kits will be distributed by Church World Service, an international humanitarian assistance organization.

The church, located on the corner of county roads 24 and 11, invites the public to participate in the drive. A listing of kit items needed may be found on the congregation’s website at www.elkhartvalleycob.org. Donations of finished kits, kit materials, or cash are welcome, and may be dropped off between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m., or in the after hours drop-off bin.

For more information, contact Beth Sollenberger Morphew, 574-875-5802, elkhartvalleycob@maplenet.net.

Sept. 30, 2005: E-newsletter:
VIRLINA DISTRICT

As of Friday, Sept. 30, Virlina District has received $84,127.86 from the special offering in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. “We believe that this is a record for special offerings in the Virlina District,” the district’s e-newsletter said. Offerings and individual contributions can be sent to Virlina District Church of the Brethren, Hurricane Katrina Offering - Account #33503, 330 Hershberger Rd., N.W., Roanoke, VA 24012.

A special all-day effort will be held Friday, Oct. 7, when several congregations in the area of Roanoke, Va., are joining together to collect Gift of the Heart Health Kits, School Kits, and/or Clean-Up Buckets at the Valley View Wal-Mart. “We will have several tables set up beginning at 8 a.m., and hope to continue collections until dark (approximately 7 p.m.),” the newsletter announced. Participating congregations at this time are Central Church of the Brethren, Ninth Street Church of the Brethren, First Church of the Brethren, Williamson Road Church of the Brethren, Hollins Road Church of the Brethren, and Peters Creek Church of the Brethren. The tables will have a sample of the kits plus copies of the component lists for the kits. Cash donations also will be accepted. People who contribute will receive a thank-you letter containing brief information about local congregations. Volunteers are asked to staff the tables and answer any questions about the kits, Church World Service, the Brethren Service Center, or other questions that may arise. If you are willing to help, please contact Tim Harvey at 540-342-0337 or pastortim@central.roacoxmail.com.

This is very similar to a previous effort by the Christiansburg and Blacksburg, Good Shepherd, congregations in the New River Valley.

On Sunday, Oct. 30, the Virlina District Disaster Response Committee will sponsor an evening of food, learning, and celebration at Camp Bethel, beginning at 5 p.m. The meal is free, and the program will be informative and will celebrate the work of Virlina District in disaster response and disaster child care. For reservations contact the district office at 540-362-1816 or 800-847-5462 or virlina2@aol.com.

Sept. 26, 2005: Offering Results:
VIRLINA DISTRICT

As of Sept. 26, 2005, congregations and members in Virlina District have given more than $52,000 to a special offering for Hurricane Katrina relief, collected on Sunday Sept. 18. The District Office is still receiving donations to that offering.

Sept. 26, 2005: Pastors Serve Katrina Evacuees:
ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN DISTRICT

Pastoral care for Katrina evacuees in Chicago and Elgin

The Council of Religious Leaders in Metropolitan Chicago (CRLMC) was asked by the Office of the Mayor to provide spiritual care for over 5,000 evacuees from Hurricane Katrina. Several studies have shown that victims of a disaster respond first to a member of the clergy, but it is important that the minister have additional training to provide competent and interfaith crisis pastoral care. The council is the only interfaith, inter-religious group in Chicago able to select, train, evaluate, and supervise clergy. Larry Ulrich is the representative from the Illinois and Wisconsin District of the Church of the Brethren to the CRLMC, and for the last two years he has been a member of a steering committee to plan for providing spiritual care to victims of a disaster in Chicago. Several Brethren pastors and chaplains in the Chicago area were quick to volunteer and certified in other organizations to provide spiritual care in Chicago and Elgin. The city of Chicago has been seen as a model nationally for coordinated communications and the quick response of volunteer services and city agencies.

Sept. 25, 2005: Love Offering:
SOUTHEASTERN DISTRICT

On Sept. 25, 2005, Southeastern District collected a love offering for the Katrina Hurricane victims. Offerings totaled almost $36,000.

Sept. 23-24, 2005: Brethren Disaster Auction:
ATLANTIC NORTHEAST AND SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA DISTRICTS

On Sept. 23-24, 2005, over 10,000 people attended the 29th Brethren Disaster Relief Auction, an event co-sponsored by Atlantic Northeast and Southern Pennsylvania Districts. Auction items brought in an astounding $650,000. During the two days, 450 volunteers assembled 30,000 health kits. In addition to the money and kits collected, a “blitz build” allowed a home to be completely constructed in only a few days. The home will go to an Ohio River valley family that lost its home because of flooding last winter.

Sept. 22, 2005: Report from President Ronald D. Hovis:
MCPHERSON (KAN.) COLLEGE

As of Sept. 2, McPherson (Kan.) College determined that we had seven students from Louisiana, Alabama, or Mississippi. Of those, three are from metro New Orleans (Arabi/Chalmette in St. Bernard's parrish) and were directly affected. Their family homes were underwater and the employers of their parents were not operating. Therefore, our students and their families were homeless and uncertain regarding income for the forseeable future. At that time, their parents were temporarily with relatives or in a motel somewhere in the South. We visited with these three students about a variety of ways to be helpful. Since the parents were all homeless, we have offered the free use of a currently vacant home owned by the college near the campus.

Since that time, one family has successfully relocated to another city in the south. A second family has visited McPherson for a few days and are considering a return to McPherson in the near future. The third family has been living in a house next to campus for about two weeks now. Their younger son, Will, was a freshman at Xavier in New Orleans. Given that there are no classes there for at least this semester, Will has enrolled at McPherson as a visiting student so that he can complete his first semester as a college freshman.

While the college has provided assistance with housing and tuition, our faculty, staff, and students have jumped in to provide a variety of support–food, clothing, home furnishings, pet food and supplies, and a warm welcome. The circle of donors and friends expanded to include the McPherson Church of the Brethren and many residents and businesses of the city of McPherson.

As a part of the broader Katrina relief effort, our football team, in conjunction with the local Red Cross chapter, conducted a Sunday afternoon fundraiser at the local Walmart Supercenter. The team collected about $3,000 worth of food and supplies and an additional $500 in cash. Our Student Services personnel are currently collecting cash donations on campus for various forms of relief to be distributed through the McPherson College Katrina Relief Fund to Church World Service and the Red Cross. On Oct. 22, Student Services personnel will host a chili feed tailgate party prior to our home football game to help raise relief funds.

It is likely that some persons on campus will organize a service trip later in the fall or the spring (maybe to the Church of the Brethren Service Center in Maryland or to the Gulf coast region). Much will depend on the needs that are identified and the timing of breaks in the campus calendar.

For more about McPherson go to www.mcpherson.edu.

Sept. 21, 2005: Update on congregational activities:
HIGHLAND AVENUE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN, ELGIN, ILL.

Members of Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, in Elgin, Ill., joined enthusiastically in both the Church of the Brethren response and the local community’s response to Hurricane Katrina.

The church soon began accepting donations to the denomination’s Emergency Disaster Fund, and by Sept. 21 had received $3,200 from members and friends.

When word was received that Elgin would help host evacuees, to be housed at the Elgin Mental Health Center, the congregation identified a coordinator–Jon Heggen–to help organize the congregation’s participation in preparations for the evacuees’ arrival. The church for awhile was a drop-off point for donations of clothing, personal hygiene items, and other things to help welcome the evacuees. Heggen gathered a list of church members who could volunteer at the Elgin Mental Health Center if needed, and led a group of volunteers from the church in a day of work sorting materials given to a donations center in nearby St. Charles.

Individual church members also took initiative to help prepare for the arrival of the evacuees, including Cynthia Stocksdale, who worked with her neighborhood association to collect donations of new cribs and strollers from downtown businesses; and Jewel Howlett and her daughter, Pam, who collected personal items bags commonly used for patients upon discharge from the hospital, for evacuees to store personal hygiene items. Several boxes of the bags were donated by Provena Saint Joseph Hospital and Northwest Community Hospital.

After some 28 evacuees arrived in Elgin and it became clear that their needs were being met, Heggen encouraged church members interested in future volunteer efforts to contact community agencies directly in order to match their schedules with volunteer opportunities.

Sept. 19, 2005: Kit Collection and Fundraiser:
SHENANDOAH DISTRICT

Shenandoah District Church of the Brethren already has raised more than $200,000 for disaster relief at an annual auction, according to a news article at www.whsv.com, the website of TV-3 WHSV. The district also will collect items for Gift of the Heart Kits at the Walmart in Dayton, Va., the weekend of Sept. 23-25.

Sept. 18, 2005 Special Collection:
VIRLINA DISTRICT

The congregations of Virlina District of the Church of the Brethren received a special offering on Sept. 18 for the relief and rebuilding needs in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. This is intended to be over and above the normal mission and outreach giving of the district. Checks for the offering can be sent to Virlina District Church of the Brethren, Hurricane Katrina Offering, Account #33503, 330 Hershberger Rd., NW, Roanoke, VA 24012.

Sept. 17, 2005, E-mail note:
FELLOWSHIP CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN, MARTINSBURG, W.VA.

Fellowship Church of the Brethren in Martinsburg, W.Va., responded to Hurricane Katrina when retired pastor Duane Strickler got the call to go to Camp Dawson, in Kingwood, W.Va., to open a Disaster Child Care Center on Sept. 5. He was told there was a need for diapers, bottles, formula, baby wipes, clothes, shoes, and toys for infants through toddlers.

Within less than 12 hours the congregation had collected enough needed items to fill one level of a box truck. In addition to all the needs for babies and toddlers, the congregation contributed items for the "Kit of Comfort" suitcase that Disaster Child Care volunteers take to each child care site. The suitcase included games, over 50 packs of coloring books and 50 packs of crayons, books, toys, puzzles, bubbles, play dough, etc. In addition, $750 was donated to cover the cost of the transportation of items to the center as well as for other needs Duane would have in his three weeks at Camp Dawson.

Duane and his wife, Carol, were visiting daughter Tammy Burk in Crozet, Va., when the call came from the Disaster Child Care office. Within less than an hour, Tammy's community had filled the Strickler's van with clothes, toys, and shoes for the center.

The congregation had 12 volunteers gather on Labor Day evening to sort the clothes and to stack all the supplies. Rick Durst, a deacon in the congregation, drove the box truck that was donated by his boss, Terry Jackson of Data Image Group, to deliver the items. The Martinsburg Journal covered the event with a front-page picture and article.

Sept. 12, 2005, Press Release:
JUNIATA COLLEGE, HUNTINGDON, PA.

Juniata Emphasizes Service in Katrina Response

In response to the devastating damage caused by Hurricane Katrina, Juniata College will offer up to 20 weeks of paid absence (two weeks maximum per person) for staff members seeking to join the rebuilding effort with Habitat for Humanity. The college also will contribute to the travel and living expenses of students, faculty, or staff involved with the rebuilding efforts in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast. Juniata also has offered its assistance to Tulane University Medical School, one of Juniata's partners in a cooperative medical degree program, as their needs become known. Juniata also offered enrollment to a displaced Tulane University student.

For the complete release go to http://services.juniata.edu/news/index.php?SHOWARTICLE+1594.

Sept. 9, 2005: Letter from Esther Frey
FREY FAMILY MEMBERS

My truck-driver son Bill had a delivery to make just over a week ago in Jackson, Miss., and was appalled at the conditions and apparent lack of response regarding aid. He went on to deliveries in Dallas and Tulsa and called his wife in Kansas. He wondered if in the 10 days he was expecting to be home with his family, his truck could be used to deliver some relief materials to the New Orleans area.

His wife got on the phone and found people in the Hillsboro-Halstead-Moundridge communities who were already raising money for something of the sort, arranged with the bank to set up a fund, and in Wichita Bill stopped at Sam's Club and the "incredibly helpful" manager and he loaded up $25,000 worth of supplies. He went on home, got one night's sleep, and Saturday and Sunday drove to Baton Rouge, where Kansas people had arranged with a Baptist Church to take care of distribution.

Bill's daughter-in-law and Ken were offering the basement of their home for residence if some family from the devastated area needed refuge.... And now their son is one of the two volunteer firefighters from Polo who have taken one of their fire trucks down to stay two weeks. I honestly feel good about the fact that these younger generation are doing this without any prodding from parents or grandparents—just from awareness of stupendous need.

Esther Frey

Sept. 9, 2005: Action Alert:
BRETHREN WITNESS/WASHINGTON OFFICE

Greetings from the Brethren Witness/Washington Office director:

As we see daily the many tragedies that have stricken those of the Gulf Coast I am sending this notice as a special action alert for Brethren. As we consider how we respond to this disaster please keep in mind the following news. This is a story less likely to be made public through mainstream media. Many Brethren consider Sister Prejean as a friend and have long supported her work. My thanks to my dear friend Steve Dear, and the North Carolina People of Faith Against the Death Penalty, for passing this information my way.

Peace,

Phil Jones

Help Needed: Katrina Destroyed Death Penalty Offices in New Orleans

Hurricane Katrina destroyed Sr. Helen Prejean's office and home as well as the Justice Center of New Orleans. The Justice Center houses four groups: Louisiana Capital Assistance Center, a capital trial office providing indigent defense in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas; A Fighting Chance, a specialist capital defense investigative team; Innocence Project of New Orleans, part of the national network of innocence projects working to free those wrongly convicted; and Capital Appeals Project, the statewide office for capital appeals in Louisiana.

Sr. Helen's staff has told People of Faith Against the Death Penalty that she and the staff have moved to Baton Rouge and are operating out of Sr. Helen's sister's home and are setting up an office at Southern University. Sr. Helen's order, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Medaille, left before the hurricane, but their central house in New Orleans is flooded.

"I am comparing the death penalty system to the levees in New Orleans," she said in a talk in Florida yesterday, according to the Chicago Tribune. "They told us they would work, but they didn't." If you would like to contribute to Sr. Helen's office visit www.moratoriumcampaign.org/action/donation_signup.lasso. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Medaille's website reads: "Many have asked us what they can do in this time of great need. Our desire is to be able to reach out to help others. If you'd like to assist and help us to help others, please send your contribution to: Hurricane Relief Fund, Sisters of St. Joseph, 1821 Summit Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45237.

From the Justice Center's website: “We are pleased to say that all members of the Justice Center community evacuated New Orleans and are safe. In response to this tragedy and our desire to continue to help those we represent, a significant portion of the Justice Center has temporarily re-located to Houston, Texas. Our address and contact details are as follows: 809 Henderson St., Houston, TX 77007; 713-869-1335; fax: 713-869-1339.

According to an article by attorney Clive Stafford Smith, founder of the Justice Center, which appeared in London's The Guardian on Sept. 2, “For 12 years the Justice Center in New Orleans campaigned for poor inmates facing the death penalty. Now it has been completely destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Clive Stafford Smith, the human rights lawyer who founded it, says hope is also lost for scores of its clients. ... In 2003, it took one single document identifying the true killer to rescue Dan Bright after nine years' wrongful conviction. The DNA test results that freed Ryan Matthews from death row are probably disintegrating into mulch, along with his chances of receiving compensation. ... There are probably a million pages of ink that we gathered over 20 years, now swimming off the page. Whose hopes are dissolving in these flood waters?” (For the complete story see www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,1561167,00.html.)

If you have questions on these or other issues, contact the Brethren Witness/Washington Office, a ministry of the Church of the Brethren General Board, at: 337 North Carolina Ave., S.E., Washington, DC 20003; 202-546-3202; 800-785-3246; fax: 202-544-5852; washington_office_gb@brethren.org.

Sept. 9, 2005: Faculty Panel Discussion:
JUNIATA COLLEGE, HUNTINGDON, PA.

Hurricane Katrina Panel Discussion Hosted by Juniata Faculty

Juniata College faculty experts on geology, civil engineering, and environmental science will presented a panel discussion, "The Katrina Disaster: Why and What's Next?" at 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, in Alumni Hall in the Brumbaugh Academic Center, followed at 7 p.m. by a documentary film on the legendary 1900 flood that devastated Galveston, Texas.

For the complete press release go to http://services.juniata.edu/news/index.php?SHOWARTICLE+1593.

Sept. 9, 2005: E-mail note:
ROCK RUN CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN, GOSHEN, IND.

Rock Run Church of the Brethren of Goshen, Ind., decided at a special meeting of the congregation Sunday Sept. 4, to offer the parsonage to a family who lost their home during Hurricane Katrina. They collected donations for furniture and other items for the home.

Update on Sept. 14: After plans made with a community church to house families in Goshen fell through, the congregation registered to host a family with https://www.swern.gov/emergency/asset_index.php but has not yet received word back.

For more information contact Jean Williams at 574-825-5444 or at williamsfarmall@hotmail.com. Jean will coordinate donations so there will not be duplications. Personal clothing donations will have to wait until the church has knowledge of the family who will be housed at the parsonage, and each family member’s size and needs.

Sept. 8, 2005: Web News from irl.racing-live.com:
SAM HORNISH JR.

“Members of the Indy Racing League community are lending support to various Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.... Among the IRL IndyCar® Series drivers and teams helping out are two- time series champion Sam Hornish Jr., his wife Crystal and his parents Sam and JoEllen, who have donated $50,000 to the Church of the Brethren Disaster Fund in order to offer their assistance with the relief efforts. “There are so many things that can happen in life that are completely out of your control,” Hornish said. "A lot of people in the New Orleans area are without homes and they've experienced a tremendously traumatic event. My family and I wanted to help provide relief so that those affected can begin to put their lives back together. I'm happy that we can help with a cause as important as this one as I know that if we were in the same position, people would come to our aid as well."

To read the complete news article go to http://irl.racing-live.com/indy/en/ and click on “News List,” look for the story “IRL Community Supports Katrina Relief Effort” under “9 September.”

Sept 8, 2005 Press Release:
MANCHESTER COLLEGE, NORTH MANCHESTER, IND.

The Manchester College community and its neighbors and friends already have collected more than $12,790 for victims of Hurricane Katrina, with many more campus fund-raisers planned to add to the total. The donations include more than $1,000 collected during Community Day at the first Spartan home football game last Saturday.

For the complete press release go to www.manchester.edu/OCA/PR/Files/News/Katrina090805.htm.

Sept. 6, 2005: E-mail Note:
JIM HARDENBROOK

Past Annual Conference moderator Jim Hardenbrook, pastor of Nampa (Idaho) Church of the Brethren, was appointed to communicate to the faith communities in Idaho state the possible need for housing for evacuees from the Gulf Coast. The task force dealing with housing in Idaho anticipated receiving between 500 and 2,000 evacuees, and was hoping to house them in rental properties first, and then to offer space in private homes. Hardenbrook said the task force would be asking congregations, wards, parishes, mosques, and synagogues throughout the state to “adopt” families or individuals; and to fill out a form listing housing units that were available.

Sept. 6, 2005, Press Release:
COLUMBIA CITY (IND.) CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

Youth Lead Hurricane Relief Challenge

It was Sunday, Sept. 4, the weekend following a devastating hurricane and flooding in the South. Worship was underway in this small Northern Indiana congregation far from the impact of the storm. The worship leader was planning to come to the podium with a prepared offertory statement. But before that could happen, three youth came forward to make a special announcement.

"Today, we would like to announce that the junior and senior high youth have decided to donate money to the hurricane relief fund," came the words of Kaitlyn Hearld, Deanna Beckner and Carmen Metzger, three seventh grade youth of the church. They continued, "The junior high has decided to donate all of its money, $500, and the senior high said that they would match whatever we decided to donate." They then challenged the congregation to match the funds given by the youth.

"Following worship I had a member of the congregation say he and his wife would match the entire $1,000 challenge the youth brought," said pastor Dennis Beckner. Other smaller donations were given for a total $2,182 in the first of four planned collections during the month of September. Pastor Beckner identified that the early outcome of this challenge sounded like Jesus’ words to the disciples in Matthew 18 where he advised the disciples that they would not enter the kingdom of heaven unless they change and become like little children.

Although these children aren’t so little any more, they definitely are to be taken seriously and are driven to do what is right. The youth have been raising money through fundraisers, selling lemon shake-ups at a car show, hosting several garage sales and a silent auction, and selling Papa Johns and Subway cards. More fundraising events are planned. The funds are being raised as both groups plan a major event the summer of 2006. The junior highs are planning a mission trip while the senior highs will be attending the Church of the Brethren National Youth Conference in Colorado. Each group has exceeded early expectations in their fundraising efforts and had planned to use excess funds for a ski trip, weekend outings, and other fun events.

The youth recognized their successes in their statement Sunday morning. "Over the past few months the junior and senior high have worked very hard to earn the money that we are donating, but we feel that God is telling us that giving these people another chance at life is much more important than going skiing or to Bear Creek Farms," Kaitlyn Hearld continued. The junior and senior high youth had discussed with youth advisor, Cara Hoppe, prior to the beginning of worship that they wanted to do something to help those in need following the disaster. The Columbia City Church of the Brethren had already planned to ask members of the church to donate to the Emergency Disaster Fund of the Church of the Brethren General Board. This fund supports the efforts of the Disaster Child Care and Emergency Response/Service Ministries of the Church of the Brethren.

Pastor Beckner recalled times when he has been a part of other disaster response work projects supported by this fund. "My wife and I accompanied youth from another congregation to Alabama and Oregon back in the 1990s for disaster response. We worked side by side working on homes that had been damaged by storms, cleaning a school that had been flooded, and helping to restore some normalcy to people’s lives. And those projects were so small in scale compared to the effects of Hurricane Katrina. We have to help now with our funds, later with our skills and abilities, and always with our prayers." Pastor Beckner’s sister is a volunteer with Disaster Child Care. These volunteers work hand-in-hand with the American Red Cross in providing child care for parents who need time to process paper work and spend time at work sites during the clean-up process.

The youth challenge other area congregations and others in the Columbia City community to answer this challenge to give. To make a donation to the Emergency Disaster Fund you may send a check to the Columbia City Church of the Brethren, 112 N Washington St, Columbia City, IN 46725 or you may go online to and click on "Responding to Hurricane Katrina" (www.brethren.org.) For further information call the church office at 260-244-6278.

Sept. 4, 2005: Outreach Project:
MOLER AVENUE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN, MARTINSBURG, W.VA.

The Moler Avenue Church of the Brethren in Martinsburg, W.Va., began an outreach project to help victims of Hurricane Katrina by collecting donations and materials for Gift of the Heart Health Kits, and volunteer time, reported the Martinsburg newspaper on Sept. 4, 2005. “A similar project in 1999 for Kosovo war relief efforts sent more than $30,000 worth of materials from the Martinsburg area,” the article said. Eddie Edmonds, pastor at Moler Avenue, told the newspaper that he hopes this project will be even more successful.

Sept. 2, 2005 Press Release:
BRIDGEWATER (VA.) COLLEGE

Bridgewater College Offers Classes To Hurricane Students

Bridgewater College will open its doors to college students displaced by Hurricane Katrina, offering free tuition for both residential and commuter students. Bridgewater President Phillip C. Stone announced this morning that the college will join a coalition of colleges and universities nationwide in accepting students who were driven from their schools by what many are calling the most devastating natural disaster in US history. The students, Stone said, would be assimilated into existing classes offered by the College.

For the complete release go to www.bridgewater.edu/campus_info/pr/katrina.html.

Sept 2, 2005 Press Release:
MANCHESTER COLLEGE, NORTH MANCHESTER, IND.

Manchester College offers campus, collects funds, blood for Katrina victims

Manchester College is offering its campus–and special arrangements–to students whose colleges or universities are closed because of Hurricane Katrina. In addition, the Manchester College community is uniting to raise funds and donate blood for the victims of the disaster–and is inviting its neighbors to join the relief effort.

For the complete press release go to www.manchester.edu/OCA/PR/Files/News/KatrinaRelief.htm.

Sept. 2005: Excerpts from district minister’s letter to churches:
NORTHERN PLAINS DISTRICT

District Friends in Christ,

As we pray and seek to reach out to the Katrina Hurricane victims, I want to pass along some information regarding what's happening in Iowa.

Lois Grove, (Ivester Church of the Brethren member) who works for FEMA, has already been sent on site in the south. Lorna Grow, (Dallas Center Church of the Brethren member) who is one of our Disaster Response Child Care workers, is awaiting instructions for responding. Her husband John who is also an child care worker will join her later.

For those in Iowa who might be able to provide housing for evacuees who are expected in Des Moines, you can log onto www.housinginiowa.org to connect with persons needing housing. Lorna indicated also that there may be a need for child care here in central Iowa when these persons arrive in the next few days. I am hoping that someone from our District Witness Commission will be connecting with the Iowa Human Resource Council to help us know if there are other ways we can respond locally.

Gary Gahm is our new District Disaster Response Coordinator.

Christ's peace and grace to you,

Connie Burkholder