“I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth”.
I wonder how God’s words to Noah in today’s Old Testament reading must seem to the people of New Orleans as they sit in church this morning. I can only imagine what frightening memories these words must bring back as they recall the events of 6 ½ years ago when the waters poured into over 80% of the city and residents were left clinging to rooftops, waiting for rescue that came too late, for death and destruction that came too soon. The waters came not only from Hurricane Katrina but also from Lake Pontchartrain, the Mississippi River Gulf outlet, and from the various canals that run through the city. The waters came not from God or a natural disaster but from poor decisions made by people on the local, state, and federal levels who put their own welfare above those of their city.
It would be easy for the people of New Orleans to remain angry and bitter – that the pumps did not work, that the levees were not built correctly, that there was no evacuation plan in place. It would be easy for them to distrust others – the insurance adjustors and contractors who swindled them, the police who did not protect them, the perpetrators of the endless litany of murder victims shot each week. It would be easy for them not to return when their friends and neighbors have relocated elsewhere and vacant lots remain where homes and neighborhoods once stood, where there is no work, and it might seem no hope.
But today’s lesson is not primarily about water and floods. It is about the covenant God made with His people, that God made a promise that the earth and its creatures would not be destroyed. In fact the word covenant (which means solemn agreement or promise) is mentioned seven times in the verses we hear in Genesis today. It is about having faith and trust that God is compassionate, that God is about love and faithfulness to those who keep his covenant. It is about acknowledging that “you are the God of my salvation; in you have I trusted all the day long”.
And nowhere is this trust and faith evidenced more than in New Orleans. I think of the homeowners we met such as Bev, Gloria and Joe, Betty and John, Mildred, Lola and April, who opened up their homes and hearts to the countless different volunteer groups who came to help. I think of the people of St. Andrew’s who offer their hospitality and their parish hall to church groups from around the country who come to volunteer. I think of the people of St. George’s who after their primarily older congregation never returned have built a new congregation bursting with young families. I think of the people of St. Anna’s who have provided an afterschool program for children of the neighborhood to be exposed to the arts and have given them a new reason for hope. I think of the disciples at the Mission who partake in not only food and shelter but daily Bible study and prayer to provide an alternative to a life of alcohol, drugs, and homelessness. I think of the students and young adults who come to New Orleans to study and volunteer and don’t leave once their time is up, who stay to make the city a better place for everyone. I think of the people of St. Michael’s who for the fourth year in a row have opened up your wallets and your hearts to send a group down on your behalf, to offer love, and faith, and hope.
The day that we arrived it began to pour and we had to run for the house, lugging our suitcases and sleeping bags through the rain. We sat out on the back porch as the rain subsided and someone spied a rainbow in the sky, a good sign for the start of our trip. The last day we were there it also rained. I didn’t see a rainbow but I’m sure there was one, a sign of God’s everlasting covenant. Amen.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Barb Phinney's Homily 2/26/12
Good morning.
I want to tell you a New Orleans story of one man’s experience of the collision of 2 egregious events - the handling of Hurricane Katrina and the War on Terror. It is a gut wrenching story and in the end, an example of the redemptive power of hope and faith in your God. When I read the psalms for this week, it was right there - Zeitoun’s story, pure and simple. To You O Lord, I lift up my soul; my God, I put my trust in you, let me not be humiliated, nor let my enemies triumph over me.
Abdulrahman Zeitoun, a Syrian Muslim, emigrated to the US in the late 70‘s after working at sea. A practical and skilled artisan, he settled in New Orleans and along the way, married an American lady, Cathy, who earlier in her life had converted to Islam. Together they worked hard to get their painting and contractor company established. Indeed, The Zeitoun Company was well regarded and known as the go to company for painting in the wealthy garden district.. They had woven themselves into the fabric of their community oriented city - with friends on every block in many neighborhoods - Neighborhoods that now, after my 3 trips, I begin to know and recognize . Committed to excellence in their work , their Muslim faith and their lives - so blessed with 4 beautiful children, you could say that they were the shining example of the successful American immigrant experience.
As the spectre of Katrina bore down on them, they knew the routine of hurricane readiness. As she had done many times before, Kathy evacuated with the children, He stayed. So many responsibilites - this time 9 sites with painting equipment to be tied down, and skeptical as usual, of the potential danger . We all know that Katrina itself did not cause the real disaster. It was, as before, manageable damage but as the horror began to unfold and the waters came, Zeitoun resorted to checking on his properties in his yard sale canoe,, but increasingly, that changed to helping and rescuing people from their homes,feeding stranded dogs, paddling & delivering them to temporary hospital sites and checking in with a make shift National Guard Stations in the area for help and assistnace, that in hindsight would be a problem. To give you a sense of how deep the water was, in the same neighborhood, that we drove through on our way to the grocery store, car antennas were scraping the bottom of his canoe..
As New Orleans descended into chaos, Cathy lost her daily cell phone contact as Abdulrahman vanished without a trace, no contact - leaving this family traumatized, crazed and in the dark for almost a month.
By delivering the stranded victims to those make shift Nat Guard stations, Zeitoun made himself visible to the hurridly deputized mercenaries brought in from security companies around the country and yes, Blackwater was one of them. Through some unfortunate circumstances, he fit the profile of a terrorist, authorized under the FEMA merged into The Homeland Security Act. What unfolds over the next month is a story that makes one ashamed to be an American. Zeitoun was roughed up and removed from his own home at gun point, and delivered to an impromptu military base built inside the downtown Gray Hound Bus Station, if you can believe it - assembled 2 days after the storm. They took his driver’s license, allowed no phone calls , branded him a member of Al Kaida and the Taliban. All suspected terrorists were thrown into open air wire cages on the pavement of the bus depot’s parking lot. At gunpoint with guard dogs, these and 1500 Louisiana State prisoners endured three days, of standing and sleeping on bare pavement with no blankets, being roughed up and the only food was MRE’s of ham and pork ribs - no substitutions for Zeitoun.
It gets worse - much worse.
Zeitoun was transferred to a LA state prison outside of the city. Because of the suspected terrorist classification, authorities were afforded the unchecked power to detain indefinitely, dening all the constitutional rights afforded to a regular prisoner. -no contact, no charges, no bail,no trial., Zeitoun prayed, even though he knew that praying 5 times a day would raise further suspicion. In the name of God, the Most Beneficient, the Most Merciful: You alone we ask for help; Guide us to the straight way; the way or those whom you have blessed, not of those who are astray. From our own psalms : Show me your ways, O Lord, and teach me your paths.
Even the story of how he is finally - after a month of secret captivity - released and eventually exonerated is amazing but I don’t have 2 hours to tell the story that is so rich. I have touched on 1/10th of what happened. He lost 20 lbs and his hair turned white. Read the book!
Zeitoun was tested beyond limits and came out at the other end. A dark time passed over his land, but now there is something like light. Zeitoun booms “every person who was forgotten by God or country is now louder, more defiant and more determined.. His answer is to restore and build. “ What is building and rebuilding in LA but an act of faith! He knows that God is watching over the work and he tells his crews, “ it must be done with soul”. Progress is being made, which is the joy that we mission people see but he envisions a city not just as it was, but better, far better. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; in you have I trusted all the day long.
No good deed goes unpunished. The Zeitoun Foundation was created in 2009 , to aid in the rebuilding of and on going health of the city of New Orleans and to help insure the human rights of all Americans. To date, over $250K from the sale of the Dave Eggers book as been donated to 17 non profits.
And finally, in the middle of the trip, Marilyn, Judy and I took a late afternoon constitutional - to unwind from a long day of painting and moving ladders. It was our southern architectural eye candy walk admiring everything beautiful, blooming, tattered historic, funky about our neighborhood. We stopped to admire a house being painted - glad that I wasn’t the one doing it - when I spotted the advertising sign stuck into the grass. I shouted with delight - “Guys, the sign says Zeitoun Painting & Contracting,” standing there pointing to the sign. That sign was validation that the story was - really - real. I gotta get a picture of that for the blog. Some people have read Zeitoun - it’s a national bestseller.”
For a second, I looked at the men on the ladders, secretly hoping that one of them was Zeitoun. Oh, don’t be silly. As I turned around, the door opened, to some commercial van parked across the street - the one with the ladders on top - the one I hadn’t noticed - the door opened with it’s owner walking straight to me.... “Mr. Zeitoun, “ as I reached to shake his hand, “I read your book.”
Amen.
=
I want to tell you a New Orleans story of one man’s experience of the collision of 2 egregious events - the handling of Hurricane Katrina and the War on Terror. It is a gut wrenching story and in the end, an example of the redemptive power of hope and faith in your God. When I read the psalms for this week, it was right there - Zeitoun’s story, pure and simple. To You O Lord, I lift up my soul; my God, I put my trust in you, let me not be humiliated, nor let my enemies triumph over me.
Abdulrahman Zeitoun, a Syrian Muslim, emigrated to the US in the late 70‘s after working at sea. A practical and skilled artisan, he settled in New Orleans and along the way, married an American lady, Cathy, who earlier in her life had converted to Islam. Together they worked hard to get their painting and contractor company established. Indeed, The Zeitoun Company was well regarded and known as the go to company for painting in the wealthy garden district.. They had woven themselves into the fabric of their community oriented city - with friends on every block in many neighborhoods - Neighborhoods that now, after my 3 trips, I begin to know and recognize . Committed to excellence in their work , their Muslim faith and their lives - so blessed with 4 beautiful children, you could say that they were the shining example of the successful American immigrant experience.
As the spectre of Katrina bore down on them, they knew the routine of hurricane readiness. As she had done many times before, Kathy evacuated with the children, He stayed. So many responsibilites - this time 9 sites with painting equipment to be tied down, and skeptical as usual, of the potential danger . We all know that Katrina itself did not cause the real disaster. It was, as before, manageable damage but as the horror began to unfold and the waters came, Zeitoun resorted to checking on his properties in his yard sale canoe,, but increasingly, that changed to helping and rescuing people from their homes,feeding stranded dogs, paddling & delivering them to temporary hospital sites and checking in with a make shift National Guard Stations in the area for help and assistnace, that in hindsight would be a problem. To give you a sense of how deep the water was, in the same neighborhood, that we drove through on our way to the grocery store, car antennas were scraping the bottom of his canoe..
As New Orleans descended into chaos, Cathy lost her daily cell phone contact as Abdulrahman vanished without a trace, no contact - leaving this family traumatized, crazed and in the dark for almost a month.
By delivering the stranded victims to those make shift Nat Guard stations, Zeitoun made himself visible to the hurridly deputized mercenaries brought in from security companies around the country and yes, Blackwater was one of them. Through some unfortunate circumstances, he fit the profile of a terrorist, authorized under the FEMA merged into The Homeland Security Act. What unfolds over the next month is a story that makes one ashamed to be an American. Zeitoun was roughed up and removed from his own home at gun point, and delivered to an impromptu military base built inside the downtown Gray Hound Bus Station, if you can believe it - assembled 2 days after the storm. They took his driver’s license, allowed no phone calls , branded him a member of Al Kaida and the Taliban. All suspected terrorists were thrown into open air wire cages on the pavement of the bus depot’s parking lot. At gunpoint with guard dogs, these and 1500 Louisiana State prisoners endured three days, of standing and sleeping on bare pavement with no blankets, being roughed up and the only food was MRE’s of ham and pork ribs - no substitutions for Zeitoun.
It gets worse - much worse.
Zeitoun was transferred to a LA state prison outside of the city. Because of the suspected terrorist classification, authorities were afforded the unchecked power to detain indefinitely, dening all the constitutional rights afforded to a regular prisoner. -no contact, no charges, no bail,no trial., Zeitoun prayed, even though he knew that praying 5 times a day would raise further suspicion. In the name of God, the Most Beneficient, the Most Merciful: You alone we ask for help; Guide us to the straight way; the way or those whom you have blessed, not of those who are astray. From our own psalms : Show me your ways, O Lord, and teach me your paths.
Even the story of how he is finally - after a month of secret captivity - released and eventually exonerated is amazing but I don’t have 2 hours to tell the story that is so rich. I have touched on 1/10th of what happened. He lost 20 lbs and his hair turned white. Read the book!
Zeitoun was tested beyond limits and came out at the other end. A dark time passed over his land, but now there is something like light. Zeitoun booms “every person who was forgotten by God or country is now louder, more defiant and more determined.. His answer is to restore and build. “ What is building and rebuilding in LA but an act of faith! He knows that God is watching over the work and he tells his crews, “ it must be done with soul”. Progress is being made, which is the joy that we mission people see but he envisions a city not just as it was, but better, far better. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; in you have I trusted all the day long.
No good deed goes unpunished. The Zeitoun Foundation was created in 2009 , to aid in the rebuilding of and on going health of the city of New Orleans and to help insure the human rights of all Americans. To date, over $250K from the sale of the Dave Eggers book as been donated to 17 non profits.
And finally, in the middle of the trip, Marilyn, Judy and I took a late afternoon constitutional - to unwind from a long day of painting and moving ladders. It was our southern architectural eye candy walk admiring everything beautiful, blooming, tattered historic, funky about our neighborhood. We stopped to admire a house being painted - glad that I wasn’t the one doing it - when I spotted the advertising sign stuck into the grass. I shouted with delight - “Guys, the sign says Zeitoun Painting & Contracting,” standing there pointing to the sign. That sign was validation that the story was - really - real. I gotta get a picture of that for the blog. Some people have read Zeitoun - it’s a national bestseller.”
For a second, I looked at the men on the ladders, secretly hoping that one of them was Zeitoun. Oh, don’t be silly. As I turned around, the door opened, to some commercial van parked across the street - the one with the ladders on top - the one I hadn’t noticed - the door opened with it’s owner walking straight to me.... “Mr. Zeitoun, “ as I reached to shake his hand, “I read your book.”
Amen.
=
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Sheila Monks' Homily 2/26/12
I was just amazed when I looked at the readings for this morning. Here we are talking about New Orleans and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and the first reading is Noah and the Flood. I shouldn't have been surprised, of course. There is always a special synchronicity at work with God, always a special message for us to hear---but still, I was amazed.
Let's for a moment imagine the plight of Noah. A terrible storm, bringing endless rain, has obliterated everything of the world he once knew. He is adrift in a strange, rickety structure. He has that sick, lonely feeling of someone who has lost everything. He feels helpless and hopeless. At last, after endless days lost at sea, as it were, he "sent forth a dove out of the ark, and the dove came back to him in the evening, and lo, in her mouth a freshly picked olive leaf, so Noah knew the waters had subsided from the earth".
The comparison here between Noah and New Orleans and the people there is almost unbelievable: a great storm bears down upon them and everything they have known is washed away. They are left, if they have anything at all, with strange, fragile storm-wrecked buildings that have almost nothing in common with the cozy homes they once knew. They have the sick, lonely feeling of people who have lost everything. They feel helpless and hopeless.
This year, as you know, some of us worked at the New Orleans Mission for the Homeless. We noticed that on one wall was painted a quote from Isaiah: "Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint". And then we went to church on Sunday and what was one of the readings that morning? The same quote from Isaiah. And we sang "On Eagle's Wings".
Now think of the dove. That great symbol of the Holy Spirit at work, its sturdy wings able to lift its body over the fearful waters. For untold centuries it has been the symbol of hope, as it searches and searches for a place to land, and finding an olive tree at last, brings back in its mouth hope and redemption for Noah and his frightened little band. Noah's trust in the Lord has been rewarded.
And what about the people of New Orleans? I like to think that perhaps the symbol of hope for them is another winged creature, not the dove but the eagle. If you want to see helpless and hopeless, come to the Mission for the Homeless. But on its wall is painted a picture of an eagle. And think about the hymn we sang: "You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord, Who abide in his shadow for life, Say to the Lord, my refuge, My rock in whom I trust! And he will lift you up on eagle's wings, Bear you on the breath of dawn, Make you to shine like the sun, And hold you in the palm of his hand".
I like to think of them this way, flying like powerful eagles far above the furious waters, heading straight up to heaven.
I would like to end with a beautiful prayer which I found in a book called "Redeemer's Grace", something we read for the St. Michael's Book Group:
"Oh God, I offer the prayers of my heart
For those who are suffering. I don't know their names.
You know their names, and their sufferings are real to you.
Let them become real to me. Let me know how to be with them.
If they must suffer, may they know they are not alone.
May they be clothed with love, fed with love, warmed and protected by love.
May they be held in your hands and blessed in your love.
May the dead find their places in memory, may the wounded be healed,
May the mourners be comforted. May the morning come when all may arise with joy.
Amen.
Let's for a moment imagine the plight of Noah. A terrible storm, bringing endless rain, has obliterated everything of the world he once knew. He is adrift in a strange, rickety structure. He has that sick, lonely feeling of someone who has lost everything. He feels helpless and hopeless. At last, after endless days lost at sea, as it were, he "sent forth a dove out of the ark, and the dove came back to him in the evening, and lo, in her mouth a freshly picked olive leaf, so Noah knew the waters had subsided from the earth".
The comparison here between Noah and New Orleans and the people there is almost unbelievable: a great storm bears down upon them and everything they have known is washed away. They are left, if they have anything at all, with strange, fragile storm-wrecked buildings that have almost nothing in common with the cozy homes they once knew. They have the sick, lonely feeling of people who have lost everything. They feel helpless and hopeless.
This year, as you know, some of us worked at the New Orleans Mission for the Homeless. We noticed that on one wall was painted a quote from Isaiah: "Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint". And then we went to church on Sunday and what was one of the readings that morning? The same quote from Isaiah. And we sang "On Eagle's Wings".
Now think of the dove. That great symbol of the Holy Spirit at work, its sturdy wings able to lift its body over the fearful waters. For untold centuries it has been the symbol of hope, as it searches and searches for a place to land, and finding an olive tree at last, brings back in its mouth hope and redemption for Noah and his frightened little band. Noah's trust in the Lord has been rewarded.
And what about the people of New Orleans? I like to think that perhaps the symbol of hope for them is another winged creature, not the dove but the eagle. If you want to see helpless and hopeless, come to the Mission for the Homeless. But on its wall is painted a picture of an eagle. And think about the hymn we sang: "You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord, Who abide in his shadow for life, Say to the Lord, my refuge, My rock in whom I trust! And he will lift you up on eagle's wings, Bear you on the breath of dawn, Make you to shine like the sun, And hold you in the palm of his hand".
I like to think of them this way, flying like powerful eagles far above the furious waters, heading straight up to heaven.
I would like to end with a beautiful prayer which I found in a book called "Redeemer's Grace", something we read for the St. Michael's Book Group:
"Oh God, I offer the prayers of my heart
For those who are suffering. I don't know their names.
You know their names, and their sufferings are real to you.
Let them become real to me. Let me know how to be with them.
If they must suffer, may they know they are not alone.
May they be clothed with love, fed with love, warmed and protected by love.
May they be held in your hands and blessed in your love.
May the dead find their places in memory, may the wounded be healed,
May the mourners be comforted. May the morning come when all may arise with joy.
Amen.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
PNOLA Post
The PNOLA group really felt great about all the work we were able to complete at Lola and April's house. The family room floor is installed and the trim board applied. We also demolished a water soaked closet and finished an amazing amount of painting and plastering in other rooms in the house. Things are looking very promising for the family to be able to return home. April was very grateful and, while shy, really came around by the end of our week. She presented us all with a Mardi Gras cup and beads to bring home to Boston with us. We wished her well and hope to visit her in her finished home with all her family on another trip to NOLA.
All of us were struck by the fact that the neighborhood we were working in was still so affected by Katrina. Some houses on the street were looking cared for, but others were clearly unoccupied and many had been torn down. Amazingly this neighborhood is only 3 blocks from the beautiful Garden District and prosperous St Charles Street. This is truly a divided city with most of the neighborhoods looking neglected and forgotten. We all felt blessed to have been able to help Lola and April. Thank you all for helping us bring St. Michael's loving community to New Orleans.
All of us were struck by the fact that the neighborhood we were working in was still so affected by Katrina. Some houses on the street were looking cared for, but others were clearly unoccupied and many had been torn down. Amazingly this neighborhood is only 3 blocks from the beautiful Garden District and prosperous St Charles Street. This is truly a divided city with most of the neighborhoods looking neglected and forgotten. We all felt blessed to have been able to help Lola and April. Thank you all for helping us bring St. Michael's loving community to New Orleans.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Prayers for New Orleans
I am so struck with the spirit of the people of New Orleans - their kindness, hospitality, and welcoming of us. Everyone thanks us for coming (and you all for sending us) and for not forgetting them after so many years. At the New Orleans Mission all the guests said "thank you m'am" and "God bless y'all". Mildred gave us all hugs for painting the ironwork around her house. John and Betty stood wistfully at the door (she in her wheelchair) waving goodbye after we cleaned up their yard. Amanda opened up her home for us to use her bathroom while we were working in the Bayou Rebirth gardens and then came to say goodbye. Mother Susan of St. Andrew's, Rev. Jim at St. George's, and Father Bill at St. Anna's all welcomed and thanked us.
I am also struck by people's openness for us to pray for them - the countless murder victims, their families, and their prepatators. Dave from the Mission's babies who were kidnapped. Corey at the Mission who is lost and confused. Amanda who worries about 8 year old girls who know already what rape is. Bev who lost not only her son but her beloved dog. Joe and Gloria who are still working on their house. Please keep them and all the people of this glorious city in your prayers.
I am also struck by people's openness for us to pray for them - the countless murder victims, their families, and their prepatators. Dave from the Mission's babies who were kidnapped. Corey at the Mission who is lost and confused. Amanda who worries about 8 year old girls who know already what rape is. Bev who lost not only her son but her beloved dog. Joe and Gloria who are still working on their house. Please keep them and all the people of this glorious city in your prayers.
The Rain Garden
Thursday Today many of us went to work for Bayou Rebirth. We weeded, organized their tool shed, and prepared to create a rain garden. A rain garden is a rain water catchnment area which can be built in a back yard to prevent rain water from going into storm drains and becoming polluted when it hits the streets. The garden is actually a shallow hole in the ground filled with permeable soil such as crushed rock or sand and planted with attractive plants, usually native, such as iris and marsh grasses. Storm water flows into the garden and although it eventually sinks, is held there for a while, preventing erosion and pollution. If enough rain gardens could be built in New Orleans back yards, flooding could be vastly improved. It would also be a huge energy saving, as 40% of the energy used during a rain storm is for pumping the water out of the city!
It was hard, physical work, followed by cleaning up the huge brush pile left from pruning a large tree. We're tired tonight, but true to form, Barb and Marilyn have cooked a huge dinner and we are expecting Bev Jimenez and Joe and Gloria Robert, whose homes we worked on in other years. --Sheila
BTW, Barb
It was hard, physical work, followed by cleaning up the huge brush pile left from pruning a large tree. We're tired tonight, but true to form, Barb and Marilyn have cooked a huge dinner and we are expecting Bev Jimenez and Joe and Gloria Robert, whose homes we worked on in other years. --Sheila
BTW, Barb
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
My thoughts and prayers are with you!
It so great to follow you all as you continue this wonderful tradition of service. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Where are you staying this year?
I hope this posts correctly - the blog seems to want to recognize me as a contributor not a responder. (I guess I should be honored.)
Keep well, keep posting, and send pictures!
my love to you all,
Anne Aylward Spofford
I hope this posts correctly - the blog seems to want to recognize me as a contributor not a responder. (I guess I should be honored.)
Keep well, keep posting, and send pictures!
my love to you all,
Anne Aylward Spofford
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
A Day At The Homeless Mission
Yesterday some of us worked at the New Orleans Mission for Homeless. We made po'boy sandwiches for the guests for lunch (we would call them hoagies), served lunch, and sorted and stored an enormous delivery of baked goods from a grocery store. What we actually did wasn't the important thing, though. What was important were the stories we heard from the staff about how they had originally arrived at the Mission, down and out,and how their lives had been turned around. What was important were the thank yous the clients gave me when I handed them a cup of iced tea. What was important was the gentleness of the chef when he sat and talked with us after lunch. What was important was the sense that between these walls there was, at long last, some hope.
There are estimated to be 19,000 homeless people in New Orleans.
--Sheila
Yesterday some of us worked at the New Orleans Mission for Homeless. We made po'boy sandwiches for the guests for lunch (we would call them hoagies), served lunch, and sorted and stored an enormous delivery of baked goods from a grocery store. What we actually did wasn't the important thing, though. What was important were the stories we heard from the staff about how they had originally arrived at the Mission, down and out,and how their lives had been turned around. What was important were the thank yous the clients gave me when I handed them a cup of iced tea. What was important was the gentleness of the chef when he sat and talked with us after lunch. What was important was the sense that between these walls there was, at long last, some hope.
There are estimated to be 19,000 homeless people in New Orleans.
--Sheila
From the PNOLA Group
Phoenix of New Orleans (PNOLA) is an organization dispersing volunteers to homes that have been funded for now mostly finish work type projects. Such projects would be finish coats of paint on walls, hanging kitchen cabinets, installing flooring, to name a few. Our group of five (Martha Cotton, Lorraine Dee, Joan Faulkner, Rick Lindequist, and George Thomas) will work this entire week on a home in the Center City area owned by two sisters, April and Lola Turner. It is actually a family home, built as a double wide "shotgun", but now connected as one home. This is a typical New Orleans style. The home is only blocks from the untouched Garden District area. All of the homes in the entire Center City area were flooded and rendered uninhabitable. Some of the homes in their neighborhood are now fully renovated and occupied, but many are still boarded up even after 6-1/2 years. Others were demolished and now vacant lots appear thruout the neighborhood. It is true urban blight. For the first two days we have done mainly finish interior painting, as well as scraping and sanding some of the exterior of the house which badly needs a new paint job. We are also going to be assisting our supervisor, Gil, an Americorps employee who is from Monterey, CA area in installing a laminate floor in what is to be a family room area. We hope that our work will help the sisters and their extended family fully return to their home before the summer.
Written by the PNOLA Crew
Written by the PNOLA Crew
Greetings from NOLA!
Greetings from New Orleans! We arrived safely on Sat to temperatures in the 70's and thunderstorms. It turned out that we weren't the only ones coming to St. Andrew's - the Bishop of LA arrived Sunday morning for confirmation and baptism so we decided to pass up the 10 am service after all. Part of the group went to the 8 am service and the rest of us went to church at St. George's where we enjoyed a moving sermon, gorgeous stained glass windows and Southern hospitality - the rector identified us immediately as "East Coast Episcopalians!"
Sunday afternoon we enjoyed some free time in the city. Most of the group went to the World War II Museum which they highly recommended,others took a trip down the Missippi in the Riverboat, and others walked down by the river.
Then off to work on Monday! Four of us made Po'Boy sandwiches at the New Orleans Mission where we served lunch to the homeless. Others volunteered with Beacon of Hope where we helped an older couple finish up painting the outside of their home and cleaned up their yard. Today was beautiful weather wise so we really enjoyed the opportunity to be outside all day.
We've also enjoyed being together as a group, having Compline every night and eating delicious home cooked meals!
Thank you to y'all who have supported us both by your prayers and financially. Everyone here is so touched that our parish sent us down here to help. There is still so much to do.
Sunday afternoon we enjoyed some free time in the city. Most of the group went to the World War II Museum which they highly recommended,others took a trip down the Missippi in the Riverboat, and others walked down by the river.
Then off to work on Monday! Four of us made Po'Boy sandwiches at the New Orleans Mission where we served lunch to the homeless. Others volunteered with Beacon of Hope where we helped an older couple finish up painting the outside of their home and cleaned up their yard. Today was beautiful weather wise so we really enjoyed the opportunity to be outside all day.
We've also enjoyed being together as a group, having Compline every night and eating delicious home cooked meals!
Thank you to y'all who have supported us both by your prayers and financially. Everyone here is so touched that our parish sent us down here to help. There is still so much to do.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Less than a week to go!
Greetings from the 2012 New Orleans Mission Trip team! It's less than a week before we leave and we're all getting very excited. Last minute details are being finalized before we fly out this coming Sat Feb 4th at 8:30 am. This year we will be working with the following organizations: Phoenix of New Orleans (PNOLA), Beacon of Hope, Bayou Rebirth, and the New Orleans Mission. We will be helping fix up houses for homeowners still displace by Katrina, providing services to the homeless, and working to restore the Bayou. Once again we will be staying in the parish hall of St. Andrew's Episcopal church where we will also be worshipping next Sunday. Please keep us in your prayers! Thank you so much for all your support both financially and spiritually as we go off on behalf of the entire parish. We already had a wonderful send off today as Sarah individually blessed us. Stay tuned daily for updates once we arrive. We love your comments!
The 2012 Mission Trip - Lana Agnew, Marilyn Cheney, Martha Cotton, Lorraine Dee, Joan Faulkner, Rick Lindequist, Sheila Monks, Bill Mullen, Barb Phinney, Jean Powers, Leslie Randall, Judy Rice, and George Thomas
The 2012 Mission Trip - Lana Agnew, Marilyn Cheney, Martha Cotton, Lorraine Dee, Joan Faulkner, Rick Lindequist, Sheila Monks, Bill Mullen, Barb Phinney, Jean Powers, Leslie Randall, Judy Rice, and George Thomas
Monday, February 28, 2011
Judy Rice's Homily 2/27/11
Jesus’ admonition to “not worry about your life” always speaks to me each time I hear it for I am a worrier. In my role as trip leader for the last two Mission Trips there has certainly been much to worry about – who is going, what will we be doing, how will we get there, how much will it cost, where will we stay, what will we eat. These are details I don’t take lightly for it is not only my own experience that rides on everything coming together but also the experience of the entire group and indirectly the people of New Orleans who we are going to help. Although I try to “strive for the kingdom of God and his righteousness” and know deep down in my heart that “all these things will be given to you”, there have been many times over the past two years when everything seems to be going wrong and I can hear Jesus chiding “you of little faith”. Although I pray daily to be preserved “from faithless fears and worldly anxieties”, it is still hard for me not to worry.
But seriously, when have I ever had to worry about if I was going to have enough to eat or warm clothes to wear or somewhere to sleep? I think of the people at the New Orleans Mission for the homeless where a few of us volunteered one day. The most moving part of that experience for me was standing outside waiting to be picked up. The three of us huddled together with the homeless men milling around, the smell of urine and vomit overwhelming, the rain beginning, people lying on the sidewalk under blankets. Although homelessness is an issue in every major city the homeless population in New Orleans has tripled since Katrina while at the same time funding has dropped.
I also think of Joe and Gloria whose home we worked in for several days, still displaced 5 ½ years after Katrina. Gloria, who lost her job and tries to keep up her social work ties in a home office where all her belongings were thrown in every which way until we helped organize it. Joe, who tries to split his time between his contracting business and supervising the volunteers who come to help him fix up his own home. I think of the concerns they have about the toxic sheet rock that covers part of their house and will now have to be removed. I think of them running out of money for insulation until we came and were able to purchase the needed materials. I think of them not worrying about their own lives but instead providing us lunch of jambalaya and red beans and rice, their way of being people of faith and knowing that God is truly taking care of them.
I think of the list of weekly murder victims we heard read both at St. Andrew’s and at St. Anna’s churches where we worshipped, mostly young men in their late teens and early twenties. I imagine what it must be like to be a mother of a young man that age in New Orleans, to worry about whether my son’s name will be read aloud next week. I think of the people who are tired of worrying both about their own situation and those of their neighbors, who just want life to return to what it was before Katrina when the lives of the entire city were disrupted, who want to forget.
But I also think of the people of St. Michael’s who won’t forget, who take the words of Isaiah seriously “for the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on his suffering ones. Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palm of my hands”. St. Michael’s, you have inscribed the people of New Orleans on your hands through your love and support and they thank you. Let us pray.
Oh God, when I have food help me to remember the hungry,
When I have work, help me to remember the jobless,
When I have a warm home, help me to remember the homeless,
When I am without pain, help me to remember those who suffer.
And remembering, help me to destroy my complacency and bestir my compassion.
Make me concerned enough to help, by word and deed, those who cry out for what we take for granted. Amen.
But seriously, when have I ever had to worry about if I was going to have enough to eat or warm clothes to wear or somewhere to sleep? I think of the people at the New Orleans Mission for the homeless where a few of us volunteered one day. The most moving part of that experience for me was standing outside waiting to be picked up. The three of us huddled together with the homeless men milling around, the smell of urine and vomit overwhelming, the rain beginning, people lying on the sidewalk under blankets. Although homelessness is an issue in every major city the homeless population in New Orleans has tripled since Katrina while at the same time funding has dropped.
I also think of Joe and Gloria whose home we worked in for several days, still displaced 5 ½ years after Katrina. Gloria, who lost her job and tries to keep up her social work ties in a home office where all her belongings were thrown in every which way until we helped organize it. Joe, who tries to split his time between his contracting business and supervising the volunteers who come to help him fix up his own home. I think of the concerns they have about the toxic sheet rock that covers part of their house and will now have to be removed. I think of them running out of money for insulation until we came and were able to purchase the needed materials. I think of them not worrying about their own lives but instead providing us lunch of jambalaya and red beans and rice, their way of being people of faith and knowing that God is truly taking care of them.
I think of the list of weekly murder victims we heard read both at St. Andrew’s and at St. Anna’s churches where we worshipped, mostly young men in their late teens and early twenties. I imagine what it must be like to be a mother of a young man that age in New Orleans, to worry about whether my son’s name will be read aloud next week. I think of the people who are tired of worrying both about their own situation and those of their neighbors, who just want life to return to what it was before Katrina when the lives of the entire city were disrupted, who want to forget.
But I also think of the people of St. Michael’s who won’t forget, who take the words of Isaiah seriously “for the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on his suffering ones. Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palm of my hands”. St. Michael’s, you have inscribed the people of New Orleans on your hands through your love and support and they thank you. Let us pray.
Oh God, when I have food help me to remember the hungry,
When I have work, help me to remember the jobless,
When I have a warm home, help me to remember the homeless,
When I am without pain, help me to remember those who suffer.
And remembering, help me to destroy my complacency and bestir my compassion.
Make me concerned enough to help, by word and deed, those who cry out for what we take for granted. Amen.
John Duff's Homily 2/27/11
I was fortunate enough to make my second mission trip to New Orleans. This time I worked in a home that has been unoccupied since Hurricane Katrina. That’s almost 5 ½ years ago! My co-workers during the week were Lorraine Dee, John Ahonen and George Thomas. We were led by our young crew chief David, a 23 years old from the mid-west. I was impressed once again by the leadership and commitment of the young volunteers that have worked for a year or more on this rebuild project.
During the week we installed window sills, molding and kitchen cabinets as well as painted walls and ceilings. As the week went on and we got more accomplished, I felt excited and so greatful to be part of this group of people- including the whole St. Michael’s family that sent us-which was helping to get Miss Johnson back into her home after such a long time. When we left this home it was just a few weeks away from completion. She could be in there now!
Even though I saw some of the devastation that Katrina did to this city and its neighborhoods, I cannot feel inside what Miss Johnson and the other people of New Orleans have felt.
Can you imagine? Living in your home one day, and the next day everything you own is gone! You don’t know where to go, where to turn or if and when you will be back.
It is a frightening thought. Miss Johnson has been living in Atlanta since the hurricane. Her daughter stopped by the house while we were there and she could not stop thanking us for our help.
We did not need to be thanked. We were sent there to assist and comfort the people in need. I feel I was serving God and we all were serving God in our actions there.
The readings today talk about wealth. I feel richer having gone on this mission trip. I gained the wealth of the Holy Spirit in my soul.
If we help feed the hungry and the homeless you are wealthy where it counts, in God’s eyes. And that’s what really matters.
During the week we installed window sills, molding and kitchen cabinets as well as painted walls and ceilings. As the week went on and we got more accomplished, I felt excited and so greatful to be part of this group of people- including the whole St. Michael’s family that sent us-which was helping to get Miss Johnson back into her home after such a long time. When we left this home it was just a few weeks away from completion. She could be in there now!
Even though I saw some of the devastation that Katrina did to this city and its neighborhoods, I cannot feel inside what Miss Johnson and the other people of New Orleans have felt.
Can you imagine? Living in your home one day, and the next day everything you own is gone! You don’t know where to go, where to turn or if and when you will be back.
It is a frightening thought. Miss Johnson has been living in Atlanta since the hurricane. Her daughter stopped by the house while we were there and she could not stop thanking us for our help.
We did not need to be thanked. We were sent there to assist and comfort the people in need. I feel I was serving God and we all were serving God in our actions there.
The readings today talk about wealth. I feel richer having gone on this mission trip. I gained the wealth of the Holy Spirit in my soul.
If we help feed the hungry and the homeless you are wealthy where it counts, in God’s eyes. And that’s what really matters.
Sheila Monks' Homily 2/27/11
This morning I'm going to tell you about a conversation we all had in New Orleans. It has everything to do with today's Scripture readings, and after the service I would love to hear your thoughts on the matter, how you reconcile
it all in your minds and your hearts....
Here in Milton, we are quite protected. Almost all of us live in a bubble of safety, where we don't have to relate too closely to the desperately disadvantaged. True, some of us volunteer at the Food Pantry or the Monday Lunch Program, or even consider prison ministry, but that's for a few hours and then we are home again.
Then there's New Orleans, where the poor, the homeless, the permanently jobless, the mentally ill, are right in your face. You aren't going to get away . Even when you meet those who seem comfortably off, you are aware of the pain in their eyes. They have experienced a trauma they can't forget.
Most of you have heard that our group stayed in a large, very attractive parish hall belonging to St. Andrews Episcopal Church. It is in a very "nice" section of town. We had only been there a short while when we heard a knock on the door, and when we opened it, we found a couple on the doorstep asking for money. One of our group gave them some of their own money, and they went away.
The incident sparked an immediate debate. We all sat down together and talked. We were guests in someone else's place, after all. Perhaps it was not their custom to give money to people at the door. Maybe if we did that, there would be a never-ending stream of people coming to the parish hall asking for money. Maybe some of them weren't legitimate. Maybe they would spend the money on drugs and alcohol. Anyway, none of us could afford to just give and give and give to the poor. If we did that, we would soon be one of them ourselves! ---But wait a minute! what did Jesus tell us to do? Wasn't he always talking about giving to the needy, even to the point of having nothing left? Look at today's Gospel, one of the most powerful passages in the New Testament: "Jesus said, you cannot serve God and wealth. Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear". Aren't we mandated to give as much as we can---and then some--to someone in need?
This is of course one of the great Christian dilemmas. And in New Orleans we didn't come to any real decision at all. The rector of St. Andrews, Mother Susan, met with us and asked us not to give money to anyone at the door, but to offer food instead. My own inclination? I would give the money. But the problem is, I just can't be what Jesus asks me to be. I worry about my bank account and my food and my clothing. I worry about my health and my security. I just can't give it all away. I am serving two masters. I like to be comfortable. A lot.
Meanwhile, the need in New Orleans goes on. The only way I can I can even begin to address the dilemma in my mind is to keep thinking about it. It's certainly beyond us, in our human frailty, to make everything better. Even the beautiful, magical bayous are suffering on a gigantic scale, so that the marsh plants you all so generously paid for and we repotted, help, but aren't enough. But we have to do something. We have to try in our small way. That's about all we can do. That's about all I can think to do. And what would Jesus do? I think he would tell us never to stop trying.=
it all in your minds and your hearts....
Here in Milton, we are quite protected. Almost all of us live in a bubble of safety, where we don't have to relate too closely to the desperately disadvantaged. True, some of us volunteer at the Food Pantry or the Monday Lunch Program, or even consider prison ministry, but that's for a few hours and then we are home again.
Then there's New Orleans, where the poor, the homeless, the permanently jobless, the mentally ill, are right in your face. You aren't going to get away . Even when you meet those who seem comfortably off, you are aware of the pain in their eyes. They have experienced a trauma they can't forget.
Most of you have heard that our group stayed in a large, very attractive parish hall belonging to St. Andrews Episcopal Church. It is in a very "nice" section of town. We had only been there a short while when we heard a knock on the door, and when we opened it, we found a couple on the doorstep asking for money. One of our group gave them some of their own money, and they went away.
The incident sparked an immediate debate. We all sat down together and talked. We were guests in someone else's place, after all. Perhaps it was not their custom to give money to people at the door. Maybe if we did that, there would be a never-ending stream of people coming to the parish hall asking for money. Maybe some of them weren't legitimate. Maybe they would spend the money on drugs and alcohol. Anyway, none of us could afford to just give and give and give to the poor. If we did that, we would soon be one of them ourselves! ---But wait a minute! what did Jesus tell us to do? Wasn't he always talking about giving to the needy, even to the point of having nothing left? Look at today's Gospel, one of the most powerful passages in the New Testament: "Jesus said, you cannot serve God and wealth. Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear". Aren't we mandated to give as much as we can---and then some--to someone in need?
This is of course one of the great Christian dilemmas. And in New Orleans we didn't come to any real decision at all. The rector of St. Andrews, Mother Susan, met with us and asked us not to give money to anyone at the door, but to offer food instead. My own inclination? I would give the money. But the problem is, I just can't be what Jesus asks me to be. I worry about my bank account and my food and my clothing. I worry about my health and my security. I just can't give it all away. I am serving two masters. I like to be comfortable. A lot.
Meanwhile, the need in New Orleans goes on. The only way I can I can even begin to address the dilemma in my mind is to keep thinking about it. It's certainly beyond us, in our human frailty, to make everything better. Even the beautiful, magical bayous are suffering on a gigantic scale, so that the marsh plants you all so generously paid for and we repotted, help, but aren't enough. But we have to do something. We have to try in our small way. That's about all we can do. That's about all I can think to do. And what would Jesus do? I think he would tell us never to stop trying.=
Friday, February 11, 2011
The Hollygrove Neighborhood
Surrounding the Bayou Rebirth site is an area of extreme poverty and much damage from Katrina. This area is one of the lowest lying areas in the city and was compromised before Katrina. Most of the houses you see in these photos are examples of the inablity of the residents to return. The atmosphere is one of desolation.
However ,we did see some glimmers of hope - the Saints' banner is a brave attempt to make life feel normal again and the pink house is actually restored to its former charm.
A final note, this area has been without sewage disposal since Katrina. We were able to talk to a private contractor, who with a team, was restoring services to the neighborhood. The Lower Ninth Ward gets alot of attention in regards to the "wrongs" of Katrina but the Hollygrove neighborhood suffered almost the same level of destruction without the media or Brad Pitt's attention
On Our Last Night...
Our week of labor is over but the need is still strong. We have left an impact on a city that needs lots of help. We are glad that we have made a difference. We were here doing God's work and we are satisfied.
God bless - John Duff
God bless - John Duff
Meeting with Pete & Dinner with Beverly
Sheila, Julia and Mary with Beverly
Mary and Beverly
We talked about the barriers and complexity that homeowners have in getting back into their homes. City, State and Federal regulations and the "strings attached" to grants and funding continue to keep many away from coming home. We talked about the high demand for volunteers like us to come to New Orleans and provide countless hours of light labor that includes - painting, sheet rocking, insulation installing, etc. This is fundamental to getting people back in their homes.
Pete mentioned that the funding channels are getting more difficult to find. In this economy, government funding is rare and many private sources are drying up. Please know that your support went (in part) directly to providing supplies to the families we worked with. When Joe and Gloria ran out of insulation, it was your support that purchased the addition bundles they needed to complete the project.
We were able to talk with Pete about the Gulf oil spill and he simply said, "The oil spill was just bad." We discussed at length the how's and why's of the oil spill and the politics around it. Basically jobs were lost, lives were put on-hold and now Louisiana is fighting a major image problem. One way we can help is to advocate for Louisiana's seafood. It is the freshest and safest known - thanks to the watchful eye of the FDA.
In addition, we talked about our Ministry of Presence, which is our ability to be present for people as they share their stories and to be totally in their listening. This week we have heard many people's stories. One in particular comes to mind - Earlier this week, we all listened to a man weep openly as he shared in detail his experience of Katrina and what he witnessed post Katrina. His beloved city was destroyed and he has been mourning its loss. It was powerful and insightful for us to be reminded that even those who did not loose their homes are suffering too.
At this point in the discussion, our dinner guest, Beverly, arrived. Last year we painted the exterior of Beverly's Gentilly home. In an earlier blog posting, Jean described Beverly as a gracious, hopeful woman - which is so true! Like Joe and Gloria, we all fell in love with Beverly and her dog, Sweetie, immediately. I have prayed for Beverly daily and it was pure joy to be with her again!
Beverly shared with us news about her family and her neighborhood - All of whom are well! She has a big family with many generations and with it she said, "There is always a little bit of drama!" Her neighborhood is almost completly rebuilt with the final house in her block that was recently demolished and is under reconstruction.
In addition, she shared with us that since we saw her last, she was called out of retirement to support the backlog of social work cases pending in Loiusiana. She asked that we all pray for one of her clients. "Mary" is a young grandmother who is caring for her murdered daughter's young children. Please pray that "Mary" and the children can stay together as a family and thrive and prosper for many days, months and years to come.
Beverly thanks God every day for the work we did for her and for all who brought us to her. She is thankful to be back in her house and able to serve others. Please know that your supporting our work in New Orleans has and will continue to help many.
With blessings and love to you all - MARY
Bayou Rebirth
For two days we worked for the non-profit Bayou Rebirth http://www.bayourebirth.org/ . The Bayou Rebirth mission is to restore the bayou and to educate the citizens of Louisiana about the importance of the bayou. Bayous are disappearing at an alarming rate of an acre per day.
The group propagates plants native to the bayou that will replace plants that have been destroyed. Many of you made this work possible through your purchaes of virtual plants bushes and trees. This week we planted the real thing!
Our assignment in the Hollygrove neighborhood was to create a model flood mitigation pond. With alot of effort, we dug a 10'x30'x3' hole that we learned was the former foundation of a house. We learned it the hard way by unearthing countless bricks and cement blocks - some which were blue!
We then filled the pond with various native grasses and decorated the outline of the pond with bricks. The plants will grow in the pool and will fill with rainwater run off. The roots of the grasses will act as sponges to absorb the water and keep it from flooding the surronding area.
The goal of this project is to demonstrate that flood water mitigation can be obtained through natural means rather than pumps and pipes. Our leader, Andrew, shared with us that 60% of New Orlean's carbon emmissions currently comes from the water pump system.
Thoughts from Jean
Red Beans and Rice on Monday. Yeah! Southern Fried Chicken like none I have ever tasted along with Jambalaya with Andouille Sausage and hamhocks. Red beans and rice the best! Until you have Bread Pudding with Rum Sauce. Gloria and Joe's hospitality speaks volumes of the indomitable spirit of these people.
Another experience of this spirit and hospitality was our welcome at Marian and Robert's gracious Garden District home. Their King Cake was the best!
My best experience was meeting Miss Beverly. She epitomizes to me the spirit and hope of the New Orleans people. I cry now even as I think of her.
My New Orleans and St. Michael's friends remind me once again of a special prayer:
Let me be hurt
But not be broken or destroyed
Allow me to be bruised, but
Not my spirit to be overcome
I know of suffering and
I do not fear it.
I only fear my strength to carry it.
I ask not to escape from the doubts
And the pain; I only ask that I might
Carry them with GRACE; with HOPE;
With LOVE.
Another experience of this spirit and hospitality was our welcome at Marian and Robert's gracious Garden District home. Their King Cake was the best!
My best experience was meeting Miss Beverly. She epitomizes to me the spirit and hope of the New Orleans people. I cry now even as I think of her.
My New Orleans and St. Michael's friends remind me once again of a special prayer:
Let me be hurt
But not be broken or destroyed
Allow me to be bruised, but
Not my spirit to be overcome
I know of suffering and
I do not fear it.
I only fear my strength to carry it.
I ask not to escape from the doubts
And the pain; I only ask that I might
Carry them with GRACE; with HOPE;
With LOVE.
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