Hurricane Response

Brethren in Christ churches all over North America are responding to the needs of those affected by the recent hurricanes in the Gulf Coast of Alabama, Missisippi, Louisiana, and Texas. Many congregations have sent significant monetary donations through two BIC-sponsored relief agencies, Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) and Mennonite Central Committee (MCC).

Other congregations like Pequea BIC Church in Lancaster, PA and Mowersville BIC Church in Newburg, PA, have collected material goods and sent tons of clothing, diapers, and other needed items to local collection agencies which transported the goods. Red Star BIC Church, in Leedey, OK, sent material goods to a local shelter that was housing evacuees.

A group of children held an impromptu lemonade sale on Labor Day to raise money for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Alexa, Brynn, Janae, and Katielle Hoffman – daughters of Drew and Kathy Hoffman, who are members of Elizabethtown BIC in Elizabethtown, PA – with help from friends raised $352 for the Katrina relief effort. The stand was decorated with a Hawaiian theme. In addition to lemonade, they served Kool-Aid, iced tea, home-made cookies, and brownies. Colorful posters decorated the street, and the girls rollerbladed up and down the sidewalk, shouting, “Lemonade for sale to benefit Hurricane Katrina victims.” One poster read, “Everything 25 – even the speed limit.”

Jesucristo Fiel y Verdadero BIC church in Miami, FL, was able to secure another facility after the roof of their leased facility was blown off during the hurricanes. This is a miracle due to the limited availability of suitable buildings in Miami. Continue to pray for God's hand of restoration in their congregation.

Sandia Chapel, in Albuquerque, NM collected and packaged personal hygiene products such as shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and wet wipes and then partnered with another church who hand delivered these packets to the Astrodome in Houston.

Five Forks BIC Church in Waynesboro, PA collected items like diapers and baby formula which were forwarded to a church in Baton Rouge that is housing 600 Katrina refugees. Iron Springs BIC Church, in Fairfield, PA, collected Bibles and stuffed animals while the Christian Light Bookstore and New Guilford BIC Church both in Chambersburg, PA. served as collection points.

Churches are also helping their members give to effective ministries and to avoid scams or unreliable sources. The Meeting House in Oakville, ON hosted a presentation on the Mennonite Church in Gulfport, MS that may be hosting MDS volunteers. Still other individuals have expressed a willingness to take evacuated families into their homes.

The response has been swift, generous and heartfelt. It will also be on-going as communities in the Gulf rebuild and recover. Continue to pray, donate and serve as God leads!

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