News From First Presbyterian in Baton Rouge

The Carnival for Hope is in full swing down at the levee across from the shelter at the River Center. More than a hundred FPC members have been helping. The worship team was wonderful and drew the crowds across the street to see what was going on. It was great to hear the band "let loose," and see some of those shelter-weary folks moving to the beat!

There were slides, burgers, face-painting, cotton candy, chalk drawing, ball games, bubbles, bouncy rooms and all kinds of other things. Loving Presbyterians are letting these displaced folks know that they matter, that Baton Rouge welcomes them, and we care. As someone said, after pulling this off, our Youth Director, Emily Mosely, should just be made the head of FEMA and then we'd see what could get done!

Dick and Whitney returned with both sadness and hope from their tour of the West Bank of New Orleans and outlying areas. There is much damage and much need. We feel that we must push our relief efforts further into these blighted areas. The outpouring of love and financial support from churches all over the country remains amazing!

As we enter the fourth week of relief work, we see our role as a church shifting. Right now, no one is staying here--though that could change in a moment. Rather, we are launching folks into the harder hit areas. Relief work has been moving steadily towards New Orleans and the southern parishes. We're very excited about the work our colleague, the Rev. Bill Crawford, is doing in Thibodaux. The churches there are cooperating to receive goods and coordinate relief. Two of our pastors, Dick Gates and Whitney Alexander, are heading there today and will make an inspection of all the affected areas. From this trip, we should be better able to target our efforts.

Learn more about ongoing hurricane Katrina recovery efforts
at Katrina Recovery Updates.