09/22/05

Community of Christ Prepares for Hurricane Rita

Thursday, September 22, Community of Christ released $20,000 in Oblation funds for anticipated humanitarian aid in preparation for Hurricane Rita on the Gulf Coast of the United States. Additional monies will be sent as needs are identified. Mission centers with congregations and members in the path of Hurricane Rita include Coastal Bend, Ark-La-Tex, Gulf, and Heart of Texas.

A crisis support team that included Apostle Linda Booth, Paul Davis (Presiding Bishopric), Rick Boyd and Sandi Mohler (Risk Management), Craig Lenfestey (Hurricane Relief Coordinator), Dale Jones (Mission Center Financial Officer for Coastal Bend and Heart of Texas), Susan Naylor and Jenn Killpack (Communications), George Barber (Ark-La-Tex Mission Center President), and Jim Marcombe (Alabama-Northwest Florida Mission Center Financial Officer) met Thursday afternoon to create a plan that will provide immediate, intermediate, and longer-term support for church members living in the Coastal Bend, Ark-La-Tex, Heart of Texas, and Gulf Mission Centers.

Craig Lenfestey, field minister assigned to Alabama-Northwest Florida Mission Center, has assumed the coordination of hurricane relief. John Chatburn had been loaned to the hurricane relief team for the short term and has now assumed his new appointee responsibilities as a young adult minister. John’s many gifts and great devotion to the people suffering from hurricane devastation have been just what was needed, and deeply appreciated. Craig’s primary focus will be to match peoples’ needs with assistance provided by members and friends. He will also be the main contact regarding the status of church members in the affected areas, offers of assistance, and other information. Due to the extreme pressure on our mission center officers in the Gulf areas to provide emergency response, please use Craig as your point of contact, rather than calling mission center offices. If you can offer services or other support, please contact Craig at lenfesteyc@bellsouth.net or leave a message at 1-800-825-2806, ext. 1212, and Craig will return the calls.

At this time the best way to help is through your prayers and generous donations to the Oblation Fund. Contributions can be made online using the "Contribute Online" button above, by using Mission Tithes envelopes, or by mailing a check or money order to Community of Christ World Headquarters, ATTN: Hurricane Relief, 1001 W. Walnut, Independence, MO 64050 USA. In addition to continuing support of those affected by Hurricane Katrina, Oblation donations will be used for assistance in areas affected by Hurricane Rita.

Please share this information with your congregations. As we look at another possible area of devastation, your prayers and support are essential to our brothers and sisters in these areas. May God’s Spirit bless you as you respond to this great need.