Freeland, Whidbey Island, Washington
|
|
|
|
During the first week of March 2009, eight St. Augustine’s parishioners spent five full work days laying tile, laminated flooring and mudding and sanding sheetrock on two homes made unlivable by Hurricane Katrina. One of the homes is located in Metairie, a city adjoining New Orleans, and the other is in the Gentilly district of New Orleans. Three years after Katrina much, possibly most, of New Orleans’ housing is still not habitable.
The St. Augustine contingent was the core for a 21 member Diocesan work group. The mission was organized by Diana Klein of St. Augustine’s. In addition to Diana, St. Augustine participants were Arnelle and Dick Hall, Bert and Mary Ann Speir, Diane Lantz, David Nakagawa and Melahn Murphy. Others with St. Augustine’s connections were Shelley and Lee Hall (daughter and son of Dick and Arnelle Hall) and Kathy Klein (daughter of Diana Klein).
The work on the two houses was conducted through the auspices of the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana’s Office of Disaster Relief (ODR). Young ODR interns instructed and directed volunteer crews in the repair work. The interns are provided room and board with a minimal salary through Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD). Tools and supplies are also provided through ERD funding.
The St. Augustine’s group provided labor for repair work. This was the focus of the mission. However, the work mission participants also gained spiritual blessings as well as cultural, historical and sociological insights into New Orleans
The participants began the week with a celebration of Eucharist at All Souls Episcopal mission in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans. All Souls, with a predominately African American congregation, was established in 2006 as an outgrowth of post-Katrina assistance to people in the Lower Ninth. The congregation initially met in an auto repair garage. The congregation now occupies an abandoned Walgreen’s drugstore.
All Souls carries the Gospel to their community through a wide range of social outreach which includes a computer lab and tutoring for middle and high school students, repairing nine houses, holding a community Saturday market, and providing classical musical training. Worship at All Souls was followed by a tour of the Lower Ninth Ward. In addition to the physical tour, “Smitty,” a church member, provided an excellent seminar on the history, sociology and politics of the Lower Ninth.
On late Wednesday afternoon following repair work assignments, the group heard the inspirational witness of Connie Uddo. Her efforts and faith led to the Beacon of Hope, which coordinated efforts to rehabilitate the flooded Lakeside District. Beacon of Hope operated through St. Paul’s Episcopal Parish in Lakeview and later was expanded through ORD to provide outreach to the entire New Orleans region. The Diocese of Olympia has partnered with St. Paul’s, raising $500,000 for use by the Beacon of Hope and ORD.