Katrina Update (PCA Churches - Louisiana)

ByFaith Online ^ | 9/6/05 | Richard Bailey

[PAR35]

This is from Rev. Richard Bailey, Assistant Pastor of the Plains Presbyterian Church in Zachary, Louisiana.

Our shelter is up and running very well. We can house about fifty folks. Some have come and caught their breath and moved on to family and friends. Others have been with us from the first day. We are working to get them registered with all of the different agencies. There is a LOT more to a shelter than a bed and a meal. Here is what we know from around Southeast Louisiana Presbytery:

Desire Street Ministries and Fellowship are flooded. Their website is up and you can get some good information there.

Jeffery Lancaster ( Redeemer Church Plant) is in Memphis, Tenn. at the moment.

Trinity Presbyterian Slidell sustained flooding, but the building appears to have come through with structural integrity.

Three Rivers Presbyterian in Covington was meeting in rented building that survived.

Grace Presbyterian in Metarie has some water damage, but the building is sound we think.

I ask that you be patient with us. The outporing of support is so wonderful. But know that we are still reeling from the disaster and are still in the life saving mode. We don't have answers to some of your questions and while some of your ideas are great, we may not be there yet.

We are funneling most questions and support to the MNA Disaster folks. Your support is going to be needed for many, many months. This is huge.

When I stood up to lead the Worship service Sunday I looked out at our shelter "guest" and choked up. It was tough to go on. So much hurt and pain. Our Pastor, Woody Markert, preached from Lamentations three. It was a powerful, yet comforting message. Filled with hope in the Lord. [Read Lamentations 1:1-2 and weep for New Orleans] We then served Communion. I needed it. What encouragment and strength the Lord provided through this His Sacrament.

Pray for us. We are tired.

Rev. Richard Bailey The Plains Presbyterian Church

[PAR35]

From Mississippi:

First Presbyterian in Gulfport, Miss.

The First Presbyterian Church of Gulfport. Located immediate across the street from the Gulf on U.S. 90. Its building is still standing, but everything (even those pieces of furniture bolted to the ground) inside is gone; this includes the pews, pulpit and organ - nothing is left on the first level and most of the second level is empty. It is just a building with four walls.

From David Skinner, pastor of First PCA in Biloxi, Miss.

First Presbyterian Church is located right on the beach in Biloxi. We received very minimal damage - considering. Our Sanctuary looks as if it has had 3 ft. of water in it. But the Bible and the hymnal remain on the pulpit where I left it Sunday [8/28/05]. The rest of our building appears to have received very little damage. The Episcopal church down the street from ours is gone. In fact the church's next door neighbor's home is gone. Our home, which is directly behind the church, lost its fence but the house doesn't have a shingle or a window missing. Go here to see some pictures: http://simuljustusetpeccator.blogspot.com/.

Moss Point MS/Picayune MS

In Moss Point, Mississippi the church and people are fine. The church structure in Picayune, Mississippi is fine.

[Calm_Cool_and_Elected]

The staff of Desire Street evacuated with over 100 children that have been involved in the ministry. Many still have not been able to contact parents. Desire Street lost everything. There is information on their needs on the Desire Street website.

CC&E