South Central Conference

United Church of Christ

Disaster Response Ministry

For several months now the recovery efforts have been underway in the New Orleans.  This is a growing ministry of our denomination and conference.  Now and over the long term our mission is to reach out to people whose needs are not being met by insurance and/or FEMA. 

The United Church of Christ has a tradition of working with interfaith and interagency organizations in response to any disaster.  This disaster is no different.  Long term recovery committees are being formed to help those in need.  There is a committee for each parish.  In Jefferson Parish it is the Jefferson Parish Unmet Needs Committee, (JPUNC).  In New Orleans it is the Crescent Alliance Recovery Effort, (CARE).  Other parishes have similar committees.  There is also an overarching committee called the Greater New Orleans Disaster Recovery Partnership, (GNODRP).  This committee functions as a collaborative entity in the recovery effort to help insure recovery efforts are equal in all parishes.

Nationally our denomination has a fund for recovery efforts, the “Hope Shall Bloom” fund.  Recently, donated funds were in the neighborhood of $5.6 million dollars to aid in gulf coast hurricane recovery.  Where this money has been and is anticipated to be distributed along with more information about the recovery effort in New Orleans, Biloxi and Florida may be found at www.ucc.org.   

Locally our ministry has developed into a rebuilding effort where groups from all over the country come and work to clean out people’s homes and begin the process of rebuilding.  The majority of homes on our work list so far are church members.  We have identified over 100 homes to work on and the list grows each day.  There has been a tremendous outpouring of support from churches and groups throughout the country that want to help.  We have been able to purchase a pickup truck for the recovery effort.  Money to purchase the truck came from the “Hope Shall Bloom Fund.”  We also have purchased a cargo trailer to haul tools and supplies in.  Funds to purchase the trailer were given by First Trinity Evangelical UCC in Metairie, LA.   Through generous donations from all over we have a good supply of tools and equipment to help in the rebuilding effort.

Groups that come to work are housed in three of our area churches, Good Shepherd, Little Farms and St. Matthew’s.  Each church can accommodate about 20 people.  Showers and washer/dryers have been installed for the comfort of the groups.  Funds to outfit the churches came from the “Hope Shall Bloom” fund.  Each group is responsible for their meals and transportation while here.  We provide cots, air beds and bunk beds to sleep on.  Each group gives a donation to the church it stays at of $50. per person, per week.  This helps defray expenses incurred and the use of utilities.  For example, if a group of 20 people come to a church for one week, the church receives $1,000.  Each church typically provides one evening meal and a tour of the city while a group is here and great hospitality!

The hurricane recovery office works out of Little Farms UCC.  The office schedules and coordinates groups and the work to be done.  It is staffed by Rev. Alan Coe, Minister for Disaster Recovery and long term volunteers from our denomination.  Currently Linda and Jim Ditlzer from Wooster, Ohio are here until the end of June.   We have had other volunteers stay for one month.

The national office of the UCC is working with Rev. Coe to recruit more long term volunteers.  Our denomination is new at long term volunteer ministry.  This is only the second time we have tried this.  The other time is in Florida after the hurricanes of 2004. Long term volunteers are provided a stipend for living expenses.   We provide the housing.

There are several opportunities for local church members to become a part of this ministry.  If you would like to become a part of the rebuild efforts through our denomination, please contact the hurricane recovery office at 504-258-7306.  We will visit with you to discern where your gifts may be used.  For general information or questions, please contact Rev. Coe at revacoe@yahoo.com or 830-832-2222.