A message for all Network congregations
The urgent needs of Hurricane Katrina’s victims have begun to roll out in waves of human tragedy. Most people and parishes hit by Katrina have been evacuated or will be soon. Many church buildings have been badly damaged or completely destroyed.
The Anglican Communion Network is focusing its support on parishes on the front line of providing care and witness to Hurricane Katrina’s victims. Dozens of parishes and thousands of people need our help.
Both the Network and the American Anglican Council are working with their respective contacts in dioceses across the Gulf Coast. While their efforts are complementary and they will work in tandem, they will distribute relief funds separately.
What can you do to help? Here are the initiatives we are beginning. Please pray and act as you are led.
- The ACN has launched a fund to support parishes on the front line of response to the disaster — those whose towns and churches will receive the flow of refugees from the storm. The ACN website now has a PayPal link for the most rapid response. Checks payable to the Anglican Communion Network and designated for the Katrina Relief Fund may be sent to the ACN office, 535 Smithfield Street, Suite 910, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
Click on the PayPal button to support hurricane relief through the Anglican Communion Network.
We are establishing support relationships between frontline parishes and ACN parishes, convocations, and dioceses in unaffected areas that can establish and maintain relationships for the long term. This will mean setting up a response team that can address the specific needs a frontline parish faces. ACN will assist with finding the materials necessary to carry out ministry, but vital help and spiritual support is needed within the Christian family. If your parish can adopt a frontline parish, please contact the ACN and we will work with you to set up a contact.
Frontline parishes have practical and immediate needs for supplies. Any parish may help prepare these supplies and ship them. Please e-mail the ACN home office (info@anglicancommunionnetwork.org) for lists and instructions.
The Anglican Communion Network is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service code. All contributions will be tax deductible for the contributor to the extent provided by law.
Pray for these clergy and parishes that have experienced severe loss from Hurricane Katrina: Melissa Burmeister, Christopher Colby, Sandra DePriest, Mary Geisler, Marcia King; St. Athanasius Anglican Church, Folsom, La.; and St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Harvey, La.
Pray for these clergy and parishes in the frontline of ministry to victims and refugees of Katrina:
Alabama: Walter Howard, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Daphne, Ala.; Christ the Redeemer, Montgomery.
Louisiana: Terry Sweeney, Christ Church, Ascension Parish; Joseph Rhodes, Holy Spirit Episcopal Church, Baton Rouge; Brien Koehler, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Baton Rouge.
Mississippi: Ruth and John Urban, Holy Apostles Anglican Church, Brandon.