Bracelets support rebuilding along Gulf Coast
July 13, 2006
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS)—"Rebuilding churches and communities" reads
the inscription on bracelets from the United Methodist Council of Bishops to
encourage support of hurricane victims along the Gulf Coast.
Money from purchases of the maroon wristbands
will be used for the bishops' Katrina
Church Recovery Appeal.
The appeal focuses on the needs of clergy, church
staff and mission personnel in the affected areas and on the United Methodist
facilities—churches,
retreat centers, urban ministries, retirement facilities and mission centers—that
were severely damaged or destroyed. Many were underinsured, with insufficient
coverage for damage due to rising water.
With members scattered and buildings destroyed, many churches in the affected
areas still seek the assistance of caring United Methodists to restore their
mission and ministries.
“The Katrina Recovery bracelet is a way of demonstrating your commitment
to this shared work. It will be a sign of the covenant we embrace to restore
the community in the coast,” said Bishop Hope Morgan Ward of Mississippi.
"Your partnership is essential as we engage the long process of recovery
and restoring our community," she said. "We continue to be grateful
with your partnership. Every prayer is needed and every gift is welcome."
Wristbands are $2 each, with free shipping for
orders of 50 or more. Orders can be made by calling toll free (888) 346-3862
or online at
www.umc.org/churchrecovery. Churches are encouraged to sell the
bracelets as a local fund-raiser. "The
bishops of the church have covenanted together to resurrect the Gulf Coast
churches that were destroyed or severely damaged by Katrina," said Bishop
William Oden, chairman of the appeal. "Anything that helps promote that
process is important. That includes the bracelets."
General contributions to the Katrina Church Recovery
Appeal may also be made online by credit card or through local church offerings
labeled "Bishops' Appeal
818-001."
The Council of Bishops is encouraging congregations to have a special offering
for the Katrina Church Recovery Appeal on Aug. 27, the Sunday closest to the
one-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.
News media contact: Diane Denton, associate director of United Methodist Office
of Public Information.
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Resources
Hurricane Relief
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Katrina Aid Today
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