What Can We Do?

Have received many calls and emails from those that make up Shawnee UMC wondering what the church is doing in the wake Katrina. Am waiting for a word from Bishop Ough to find out what our conference might be doing collectively, and have been in contact with officials in the Louisiana Annual Conference to find out what they need (money, I'm told, is what is needed right now, more than anything else). While many have expressed a desire to travel to that part of the world, I've a sense that given the price of gas, and damage to the infrastructure in the state, that we're going to wait on UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) officials to do their assessments, and let us know what they need.

Right now, United Methodist congregations, campus ministries, children's homes, and nursing facilities are housing thousands of people that have been left homeless. I'm sure that while nerves are frayed, that the Holy Spirit is working to give victims and volunteers alike, the necessary energy and strength to keep going. If and when we receive a concrete plea for help from one of those institutions, or our Bishop, we will do whatever we can to help meet that need. In the meantime, please continue to be in prayer for those living in the Gulf States, and watch this space and our website (www.shawneeumc.com) for more information as it becomes available.

God Bless,
Bryan