Update – Harbor MCC

Dear all, Thank you all for your continued prayers for Rev. Pat Farnan, Rev. Dwayne Johnson and Rev. Carol Lowe and the members and friends of Harbor MCC (Galveston, Texas USA) , Resurrection MCC (Houston, Texas USA) and MCC Corpus Christi (Corpus Christi, Texas USA)  and for all those living in the greater South East Texas Gulf Coast.  I wanted to update you on what is happening in this part of Region 6. Resurrection MCC and MCC Corpus Christi sustained minor damage but Harbor MCC was devastated by Hurricane Ike. On Saturday, October 4, 2008, members and friends of MCC Austin at Freedom Oaks (Austin, Texas USA), MCC Corpus Christi, Resurrection MCC and MCC San Antonio (San Antonio, Texas USA) traveled to Galveston to assist their sibling church in recovering whatever they could from Harbor’s lease space. Tragically, very little was salvageable (see Rev. Pat’s notes below).   A true shepherd, Rev. Pat has focused her attention on her true church, the members and friends of Harbor MCC. Please read her account and note on how you can help Harbor MCC get back on it’s feet.   I extend my gratitude to MCC Austin at Freedom Oaks, MCC Corpus Christi, Resurrection MCC and MCC San Antonio for rendering physical, emotional and spiritual support this past weekend to Harbor MCC.       Peace/Paz Rev. Elder Darlene Garner, MCC Vice Moderator Elder Serving Region 6  Rev. Pat Farnan Pastor Harbor MCC   Unfortunately, we were not able to salvage the sanctuary chairs.  After rigorously cleaning the cushions, we turned them upside down and found that the black mold was in the plywood that supported the cushion.  We did not want to take the risk of not being able to fully eradicate it from the wood and have people get sick.  So we salvaged only about 5 boxes of “stuff” from the building – mostly kitchenware, chalices, a few books and our liquid wax candles!  . We lost 50 sanctuary chairs, 2 refrigerators, a microwave, our electronic piano, sound system, DVD and VHS player, CD player, microphones, desktop computer, phones, wireless router, modem, desk, many tables and chairs, bookcases, cabinets, etc., etc.  It was a very sad day for me, seeing so much that we had worked so hard to build up on the trash heap.      Help Meet A Special Need       Would it be possible to get some help from our sister churches who are waiting to hear what we need?  Even if we could get gift cards from Walmart or Target, that would be very helpful.    We have others who have lost a great deal and as I find out what their needs are, I will pass them along.    - Rev. Pat

Harbor Family Loses All Rev. Pat Seeks Help For Her Flock        Galveston Texas USA 04 October 2008     How You Can Help   One family that I was so concerned about found a house to rent and will move in on October 18th.  They are in great need of furniture, a refrigerator, a washer and dryer, dishes, pans, beds, a queen mattress/foundation, 3 twin beds, small appliances, sheets, towels, etc.  They were only able to salvage a queen size bed frame and 3 small dressers from their apartment.           - Rev. Pat                     Hurricane Ike   Harbor MCC Interior                       Removal of the Harbor MCC Sign

If your congregation or individual members can assist Harbor MCC  get back on its feet by purchasing Walmart or Target gift cards, please send them to   Vickey Gibbs – Region 6 Office – Harbor c/o Resurrection MCC 2025 West 11th Street Houston, Texas 77008   Rev. Elder Darlene Garner       You can view more pictures of Harbor MCC on the Region 6 Website.. www.MCCRegion6.net

Cornerstone MCC Rainbow Council of Ministry Update

The Cornerstone MCC Rainbow Council of Ministry Team Leaders discussed the situation in South Texas and Louisiana with much concern and compassion at our monthly planning meeting last night.  We have already begun collecting storm relief supplies, but we understand the basic need at Resurrection MCC in Houston is for cash to purchase grocery gift cards.  We will be receiving a special love offering for Resurrection MCC this Sunday and will forward a check to Pastor Dwayne to dispense at his discretion.

We agreed to send the hurricane relief items we have already collected to South Park Baptist Church in Alvin, Texas.  We understand that they lost their building in the storm and are in dire need of assistance.  Two of our worshippers have family in that area and have generously offered to deliver our things to them when they visit their relatives next week.

Please let me know if there is anything else we can do to extend the hands of Christian love to our brothers and sisters in Texas and Louisiana.  We will continue to hold them all up in prayers for strength and encouragement as they recover from this tragedy.

In Christ’s love,

Sara Sills

Congregational Care Minister
Cornerstone MCC
Mobile, Alabama
Phone 251-423-1490
Email: 1CalledOut@bellsouth.net

Latest from Resurrection MCC

Tuesday MOBILIZER

“Mobilize for Life Purpose!”

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

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Hurricane Ike Update & Resources

The force of Hurricane Ike, though great, is not as great at the prayers, presence and support now coming together. The spirit of Resurrection MCC and MCCs around the world is shining through.

Praise God the damage to our campus is not as great as what we experienced with Tropical Storm Allison or the June 2007 storm.

Rev. Kristen from the Executive Team, and Bryan Long from the Board of Directors were able to safely begin an assessment by 10 am this past Saturday, even though the backside of Hurricane Ike was continuing.

Minor damage included one office window, several panes of stained glass in the tower facing the large parking lot, and one large tree that came down on our front lawn.

The roof and stained glass in our Sanctuary held strong. Heavy rains on Sunday morning brought additional water, saturating some carpeted areas.

Our primary restoration is to repair the broken glass, dry and clean carpets, and remove the widespread debris on our campus. Many have already shown up with tools, gloves, garbage bags, and supplies. If you have time and tools, feel free to come down and assist with removing debris from our campus. Email our Director of Outreach, Mark Eggleston, if you have questions about helping.

We are still assessing the needs of members and friends of Resurrection MCC, and our sibling congregation, Harbor MCC of Galveston. Many are without power and communication. In support, we are immediately opening the Resurrection Connections Resource Center from 10 am – 7 pm every day, beginning now through Saturday, September 20.

Our aim is to connect those with resources to those who need resources. Resources include everything from extra guest rooms to non-perishable food and supplies. Bring your needs or resources to the Center (located in the Activities Building) from 10 am – 7 pm through Saturday.

Do you need prayer or a listening ear? Call our Director of Connections, Jason Wood, by cell at 832-971-0354. We will also offer prayer and listening on site at the Resurrection Connections Resource Center.
All onsite meetings, classes and rehearsals are cancelled this week that we may direct all time and resources to those in need.

As of this writing, we remain without electricity. All worship will continue as scheduled. If possible, please bring non-perishables for us to share.

On Wednesday night, The Chalice will be offered in a modified format. A worship service of prayers, support and Holy Communion will be from 6 pm – 7 pm. The Life Development Classes (Open Door, Creating a Life That Matters, and Unbinding The Gospel) will not be offered, so that we may comply with area curfews.

Sunday Worship will also be offered at 9 & 11 am, with or without electricity.

All ages will worship together. Special Children & Youth programming will not be offered this Sunday, that we may fully gather as family and community.

Yes, this is a time of challenge. Yet, as offers of support come from next door and around the world, this is even more so a time of love, blessing, and abundance.

If it is safe and possible for you, I hope to see you onsite this week: at the Resource Center through Saturday, The Chalice from 6 – 7 pm on Wednesday, picking up debris from our campus, and at worship on Sunday.

With Faith & Gratitude,
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Rev. Dwayne

Senior Pastor
Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church
www.ResurrectionMCC.org

Harbor MCC – Galveston, TX – ALERT

Galveston, Texas was hit directly by Hurricane Ike.  As of 15 September 2008, we are unsure regarding the state of property at Harbor MCC, or the housing and employment for congregants and their friends and family.  Below is a recent communication from Rev. Pat Farnan, Pastor of Harbor MCC.  Rev. Pat has made her way back to the mainland near Galveston and is checking in with congregants there. It may be a few weeks before she will be able to assess damage to the church, which is located on the island.

From Rev. Pat Farnan
Pastor, Harbor MCC
Galveston, TX

All of our folks are okay.  Most of them evacuated.  One congregant rode the storm out.  He is okay.  I have spoken with him twice, when he can get a cell signal, which is very infrequent.  He has not been by the church.  It is too far and too dangerous for him to attempt to get there.  He says that everything is flooded and all the buildings on the island have sustained damage.  Many are still filled with water.  I have no doubt that what was in the church is a total loss.  We will not be able to get to the island for weeks.  Once power is restored on the mainland, if my house has not sustained damage, I intend to hold worship service at my home and maybe some of the homes of others who live on the mainland.

I am concerned about our people.  We have at least 3 people who lived on the West end of the island and may not have a house when they return.  We have a few who live down near the Strand which is still under a few feet of water.  One of my families lives in the projects in Galveston and are now at a shelter in Bryan.  They are showing signs of “Ike fatigue” and I know that this is only going to get worse among our people.

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NOTE: Please keep the congregation at Harbor MCC in your prayers.  Also, the church has launched a message board for encouraging messages and prayers.  Please consider adding your note to the board at http://pub14.bravenet.com/forum/1175700184.  Their website is www.harbormcc.org.

General MCC Updates

The Big Easy MCC
received from Clinton of the Big Easy MCC in New Orleans

All is back to normal.  Concerns are for Baton Rouge.

Tithing and attendance were surprisingly normal and not greatly affected.  The church had invested in publicity and fans for Southern Decadence and Many voices and were very disappointed at the cancellation of both.

MCC of Greater St. Louis 
update from Danny G. 

The worst storm ever, but we were fortunate there was no damage at the new church or their current space.

 

Spirit of Hope in Kansas City 
spoke with Kurt Krieger – no damage.

Bethel MCC in Birmingham, AL 
spoke with Marge Ragona – no damage.

Cornerstone MCC in Mobile, AL 
spoke with Rev. Lee Carlton

The church will be taking a collection for families devastated in Houston

MCC of the Living Springs in Eureka Springs and  Spirit of Christ in Joplin

spoke with Pastor Steve Urie

Trees and branches are down in the area and we had some flooding, but no damage to the church or the congregation.

MCC Longview, TX
email with Mark V – no damage.

MCC Baton Rouge – Louisiana

MCC Baton Rouge is still recovering from the hurricane.  95 % of Baton Rouge is back with power.  only one congregant was still without power.

Rev. Keith Mozingo has appreciated the calls from Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, Rev. Dr. Cindi Love and Ritchie Crownfield during this process. Keith has a leak in his home although he has insurance there is a sizable deductible. Their neighbors lost their roofs and he trying to figure out how they can meet in the church and conduct their business until their facilities are fixed. T

The church has a rider to the insurance policy which states that they must pay 3% so Keith said they may be looking at 13,000.00 in fees as part of their deductible.  He wants to meet with the church’s BOD before having discussions for potential support.  Prayers are appreciated

Holy Covenant MCC – Brookfield, AL

Brookfield’s Holy Covenant MCC had about 2 inches of water by the end of the service on Sunday in their basement.

They pumped most of the water out and were cleaning to avoid mold today. By mid afternoon Danny Spears believed his church would be back to normal mid day today thanks to the hard work and immediate efforts of his church. 

Spirits were very good. We talked about a proposed collaborative pot luck for Brookfield and achurch4me for their joining MCC weekend in October.

He and his a partner Richard were unaffected in their home but were physically drained on what was normally a day off.  Their home that is 3 blocks away was unharmed.