Methodist Bishops Create New Appeal to Rebuild Churches
United Methodist Church bishops this week approved a Hurricane Katrina relief appeal that specifically aims at helping churches recover.
United Methodist Church bishops this week approved a Hurricane Katrina relief appeal that specifically aims at helping churches recover.
The Katrina Church Recovery Appeal, which focuses on building new ministries, rebuilding facilities and paying clergy salaries, was approved and adopted at the UMC bishops’ annual fall conference in North Carolina.
According to the United Methodist News Service, the appeal will be distinct from the work of the United Methodist Committee on Relief, which has already raised $20 million for humanitarian relief work related to the hurricanes.
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That’s because the damage to churches, church property, and church ministers are often overlooked by humanitarian assistant groups.
Bishops William Hutchinson of Louisiana explained on Nov. 2 that as many as 30 churches in the region may have to be torn down and rebuilt. In the New Orleans District alone, 78 churches will need major work, and as of the end of October, 58 clergy families were still on salary support.
"We are looking at a need through May of some $1.3 million to deal with salary and benefits," Hutchinson said. That doesn't include housing.
A steering committee for the church-relief effort will be established and will meet every six months to make decisions about block grants. These grants will be awarded in four categories: salaries, property, connectional ministries and other.
As of Nov. 4, the day the bishops’ conference ended, the bishops raised $25,470 for the appeal.
