A Gulf Coast church’s real story

To the Editor:

The ongoing struggle for recovery by the people of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast is very real and I am grateful to The Chronicle of Philanthropy for giving the issue prominence in your May 3 edition.

The full-page photograph of Beecher Memorial United Church of Christ on the front cover caught my eye as I reviewed my mail following two weeks away from the office.

Eager to read the accompanying article, “Running on Faith,” knowing of the full engagement of the wider United Church of Christ in Beecher’s recovery, you may imagine my disappointment upon reading the statement: “An effort to rebuild Beecher Memorial United Church of Christ and other congregations in New Orleans is struggling.”

It was with utter amazement that I discovered additional photos of Beecher UCC accompanying the article, but not one reference to Beecher UCC or all the hard work and progress this congregation has made toward recovery and engagement in their community’s recovery, accompanied by the wider United Church of Christ, since the levees broke in August 2005.

Beecher UCC is among eight United Church of Christ congregations in New Orleans that have been supported through financial gifts from UCC members and friends to our Hope Shall Bloom fund and countless hours of volunteer labor to “muck out” the buildings and get them prepared for mold remediation and rebuilding.

Hope Shall Bloom gifts have covered many months of pastors’ salaries and health care, and even supported a new church start in Baton Rouge for folks displaced by the hurricanes.

Throughout the New Orleans and Gulf Coast region, the United Church of Christ is partnering with community-based groups focused on a long-term, integrated recovery response.

Environmental concerns are being addressed through our partnership with Louisiana Environmental Action Network. Free referral assistance for homeowners in danger of losing their houses is being provided through our intern program in partnership with the Loyola School of Law.

We are supporting the efforts of long-term recovery committees in five parishes in their ministry to those who might otherwise fall between the cracks.

Susan M. Sanders
Minister for Global Sharing of Resources
United Church of Christ
Cleveland