The Synod of Living Waters includes Mississippi and Alabama, two of the states that were most damaged by Hurricane Katrina. (Louisiana is in our sister [Synod of the Sun].)

See the October issue of The Voice for articles and pictures.

September 14, 2005

Dear Presbyterian Friends,

Thank you for your prayers and for the many ways Presbyterians are helping Mississippi. The Presbytery of Mississippi is beleaguered but unvanquished. We have a clear and singular purpose: To shine the light of Christ by meeting real human needs with breakneck speed. Work groups are on the ground in several locations, clearing debris, and bringing hope and encouragement to hurting people. Counselors in the most devastated areas are offering care. Trucks are rolling daily carrying urgently needed supplies. Each day, Presbyterian churches are coming back online – maybe resurrection is the proper term! The Synod of Living Waters is doing amazing work. Now on the ground at a Presbyterian church in Diamondhead, and an elementary school in Bay St. Louis, our Synod has water purification systems pumping out 350 gallons of clean water per hour! God is working miracles in Mississippi.

If you would like to schedule a work group to come to Mississippi, please call the Presbytery Office (1-601-582-9135). We need churches to think long term. Start planning a workgroup to come during winter, next spring, or summer.

We have an urgent need for PODS (portable storage units) at strategic locations within the Presbytery. We also have a need for DONATED forklifts capable of loading and offloading on asphalt.

Please do not send used clothing! Send pre-sorted new clothing on pallets. Hundreds of trucks are coming to Mississippi each day with dirty used clothing, and the good people of Mississippi are on their knees sorting through dirty clothes strewn across huge parking lots.

Your gifts are urgently needed. Funds can be wired directly into the Presbytery of Mississippi, all of which will be used in Disaster Relief.

Community Bank
49 South Hattiesburg,
Mississippi 39401
Account Number: 1009059
Routing: 065301566

Checks can be mailed to:

The Presbytery of Mississippi
710 South 28th Ave. Suite A
Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39402

Blessings upon you all!
Steven S. Bryant

September 8, 2005

Synod Executive Terry Newland has announced that the Synod of Living Waters is committed to church/presbytery/community partnerships on a long-term basis in response to Gulf Coast church crises in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Following a conference call with executives of the twelve presbyteries in the four-state Synod area, Newland was able to define a Synod plan that will involve ten presbyteries outside the coastal area in long-term relationships with the damaged Presbyterian churches in the storm area.

Newland said the idea is to adopt the community that surrounds a Presbyterian congregation and to get to know people and their needs, whether they are members of the Presbyterian church or not. “We are not going out to raise money right now,” he said,”but as needs become known the money to meet them will follow in the natural course of events.”

Three main ideas have emerged as a plan for action: (1) Develop relationships and focus prayers on real people who have become known to us. (2) Become advocates for “our” people. (3) Steering offers of help to where the needs are, which will become known to us as we develop relationships.

“The situation will be changing all the time and we will need to be flexible in our responses as that happens,” he added. “We will try to avoid duplication of efforts,” he said.

During the early days when the Mississippi Presbytery office was not able to function, South Alabama Presbytery began to act on their behalf, guided by South Alabama Executive Samford Turner. South Alabama is still finding needs and matching them with people to meet them on the eastern side of the Gulf Coast. First Presbyterian Church in Vicksburg, MS, and Trinity Presbyterian Church in Meridian, MS, were able to respond to the disaster early on and continue to do so.

On September 9, Newland is traveling to Hattiesburg, MS, to help set up a communications center in the Mississippi Presbyery office, now that power has been restored in that location. He will be working with interim executive David Snellgrove and stated clerk John Dudley as well as a representative from South Alabama and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance as they begin to coordinate information.

The Synod will continue to update its constituency on the situation through this web site.

September 7, 2005

PINEVILLE in Pass Christian: trees down, roof damaged

DIAMOND HEAD: major structural damage, electricity on

BAY ST. LOUIS: No specific information today, still under water

PASCAGOULA FIRST PRESBYTERIAN: flooded, roof damage, structurally OK

GAUTIER: six feet of water in church; no flood insurance, pastor's home OK

OCEAN SPRINGS: Manse flooded, some damage to sanctuary, major damage to fellowship hall, everything between church and coast is gone

LONG BEACH: some destruction, flooding, church still standing

GULFPORT: Westminster: no major damage, being used as drop-off point for supplies

HANDSBORO: steeple gone, damage to members' homes

ORANGE GROVE: some damage, no flood insurance

Messages of Support

From Rev. Judith A. Hirsch-Fikejs:

We here in So. California are keeping you all in our prayers and concerns. We have family living in Miss. and Ala, and thought perhaps you would have information about the churches who may have been affected, damaged, etc. We are a very tiny church, but our prayers are mighty and we are doing all we can through PDA.

From Ann Mills, Ministry on the River:

Please help us disseminate the following info: 1-800-708-1998 Contact number for mariners and companies displaced by Hurricane Katrina

The Ministry on the River contact number, 1-800-708-1998, will be used as a universal contact number for mariners and maritime companies affected by Hurricane Katrina. Individual mariners can call the number to obtain information about the location of displaced companies. Companies can use the number to help locate missing mariners and publicize new contact information.

We will receive incoming calls from companies (that have been unable to locate mariners and those displaced by the storm) providing up-to- date contact information.

And, we will receive incoming calls from mariners (who are unable to reach their companies) and provide up-to-date contact information.

From Cheryl Ann Elfond:

Dear Friends: Having been a member of Synod of the Living Waters, I feel a special bond with you. I now serve a church in East Grand Forks, MN that experienced the devastation of a flood in 1997. We are interested in knowing what we might be able to do to help as so many helped here in 1997.

From Lois Bringhurst:

I attend Trinity Presbyterian Church in Louisville, KY.

I know we are 600/700 miles from the Gulf Coast. But I have plenty of room in my home for displaced persons/families. I have 3 bedrooms available. Plus plenty of other room.

The Jefferson County Schools are helping to place children in schools. as are some of the areas Colleges.

My prayers are with each and every displaced person, as well as the many thousands of people trying to help.

Sometimes the Lord, calms the storm,
Sometime he lets the storm rage and calms his child.

May we all find his loving arms securely around each and every child that this storm has touched.

From Jacqui Ginther, Presbytery of the James:

Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Please let us know what we can do to help.

From Daniel R. Clow, Ed.D.:

The First Presbyterian Church of Wildwood, Florida prays for you and all your extended family. May you find shelter in the time of storm.

From Beth Snyder, PDA:

PDA is ready to work with you to get a disaster coordinator into the MS presbytery right now to organize relief efforts. Contact John Robinson by cell. We have trained volunteers in the area!

From Skip Dunsford:

Members and friends of 1st Presbyterian, Elizabethtown KY are eager to assist Can you provide a contact church in the area of greatest need?

From the Rev. Carol Anne Strawbridge:

Our church, Gates Presbyterian Church, in Rochester New York, would love to host a family needing temporary relocation — we will provide transportation, housing, personal needs, school enrollment, and temporary employment for a family displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

No need to reply unless you can use this offer. Our prayers are with you.

Use [this form] to send your own message. We may print some of them on this page. Thanks for your prayers and for your donations through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance!