| Rebuilding New Orleans 
Rebuilding New Orleans: CCPK Brings Hands-On Help
What do CCPK Volunteers do for New Orleans?
There have been two mission trips to New Orleans. The first in June 2007 was the largest response of any Episcopal church in the USA to the Katrina disaster. Volunteers worked from Kensington to support the Mission Group and 109 parishioners and friends went to New Orleans to provide hands-on assistance to the victims of Katrina. The group was so large that it had to be split between work sites organized by the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana and Habitat for Humanity. Some of the inter-generational volunteers worked in the lower ninth ward and others were deployed to rebuilding sites in Slidell, Louisiana. It was an opportunity for the parish youth to learn about lives broken through no fault of the victims and to see the courage and hope that is inspired when a helping hand is extended.
In June 2008, working with Habitat for Humanity, a small band of volunteers returned to New Orleans and went to work on a new home for Katherine and her 5 children in Central City.
In addition to gutting, wielding hammers and installing drywall, Christ Church volunteers have also sent stockings to teenagers at Christmas, donated a pulpit for a church devastated by the storm, given Hymnals and Bibles to churches, collected innumerable books for the public libraries and raised funds for general relief.
Another mission trip is scheduled for May 25-30, 2009. All expenses for the mission (e.g., airfare, meals, ground transportation and hotel) will be completely financed by the volunteers. The group will participate in rebuilding projects organized by the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana.
Who is currently involved?
There is an active committee of Christ Church members led by a New Orleans native and victim of the storm. The parish is involved through information updates about the continuing challenges faced by the city and its people, a fund raising drive through the Ministry of the Month program, outreach to individuals identified by the Diocese and on-going efforts to organize groups for return trips to New Orleans.
Want to sign up to help?
To learn more about The Christ Church Mission to Rebuild New Orleans, read on!
The City of New Orleans is healing, but not yet in full resurgence. Devastation abounds. Communications from organizations in New Orleans all have the same message “Keep coming; we still need the help!” Based on the Mission trip to New Orleans in June of 2008 to work with Habitat for Humanity, our parishioners have confirmed the need. The Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana has recently contacted us and asked if we would come back, and Habitat has encouraged us to return and work with them, as well. We’re gaining a reputation!
Your participation for all or part of a week is needed and appreciated.
We will once again work hard during the day and enjoy jazz and wonderful New Orleans cooking at night. We’ll also attend a service at Trinity Church and walk the Labyrinth in Audubon Park. Please consider locking this mission trip into your schedule as you plan for the Summer. AND, Tina offers the incentive of a slice of Gambino’s doberge cake (lemon or chocolate, to die for!) to those who come.
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