What are churches doing?

[dsc]

I have seen that question asked repeatedly on this forum and while I can't tell you what all of them are doing, I can tell you what my church and denomination are doing.

First, my church gave its entire offering from last night's praise service to our denomination's disaster fund the "Week of Compassion". This fund spends 95% of what it takes in on disaster relief. We had 47 people at that service last night and raised just under $1200.

Second, our denomination has had money and people on the ground in NO since Tuesday. They have also been in Alabama. Supplies have been a little slower to get there but started arriving on Wednesday. This is despite us being one of the smallest denominations in the country.

[AbbyR]

1. First Methodist...

in Dumas, Arkansas, has established a shelter in its buildings. It is also organizing all the other churches in the are, and they are housing at least 150 evacuees, and feeding, three times a day, many more. They are finding jobs for the people, getting them whatever help they need, getting the children in school and providing what they need, getting medical care, if needed. In short, it's a little Astrodome, run by the religious community in a town of about 5,000 residents.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

2. Our church bulletin had a full-page ad for Episcopal Relief and

Development, which will be working on direct aid and rebuilding in coordination with the local dioceses.

The downtown churches in Minneapolis have been meeting to coordinate efforts, including the possibility to bring some displaced persons to the Twin Cities, using the same system they have set up to resettle refugees from foreign countries.

[bribri16]

3. It will be the small hometown churches that do the most just like

it always is...those who have the least give the most.

[charlie]

4. I'm certain

that the 1000s of churches that are still in the business of churchin' are pipelining donations of cash, goods, and services directly and efficiently. It's what they've always done. The glitzy high-maintenance showcase churches are likely another story, however.

[catabryna]

5. The efforts of my Austin church

Collection of Gas Cards in $5 and $10 denominations; Grocery Cards in $20, $40, $50 denominations; Gift Cards for clothing at Wal-Mart (I'm not going there) and Phone Cards in $5 and $10 denominations.

They are also working in cooperation with the local chapters of the United Way and the Red Cross to address other needs as they arise.

We are an inter-demoninational church affiliated with Willow Creek.

[Ezlivin]

6. My wife and I are atheists/humanists and we've been busy

It's good to see those with "faith" working hard; after all, they're "commanded" to do so.

:)

We've overseen and coordinated efforts in our neighborhood (61 houses) to provide aid and comfort to the victims of Katrina.

Regardless of whether we "believe" or we don't, it's great to see everyone working together as citizens.

Now let's get Bush out and a really compassionate leader in!