Katina Remembrance Sunday

This is especially timely.

We pray for all the areas still affected by Katrina

that are awaiting and watching "Gustav".

May they all be kept out of harms way.

Luis

Katrina Remembrance Sunday set for August 31

By Lisa B. Hamilton
[Episcopal News Service] Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has designated August 31 as Katrina Remembrance Sunday.

Hurricane Katrina, the costliest Atlantic hurricane ever, caused an estimated $81.2 billion in damages and claimed more than 1800 lives between August 23 and 30, 2005. Since then, thousands of relief workers have volunteered countless hours to assist survivors throughout the Gulf Coast regions of Louisiana and Mississippi.

"Katrina Remembrance Sunday is a way of remembering, of heralding the vast relief work that has gone on, and of reminding that there is still work to be done," says Neva Rae Fox, the Episcopal Church's program officer for public affairs.

Bishop Charles E. Jenkins of Louisiana reflects: "It has been said that 'you can give without loving, but you can't love without giving,' and I understand that more deeply now than before Hurricane Katrina ripped through our lives and ministry in 2005.

"Our work…has shifted from relief and recovery to now include redevelopment and biblical justice," he says. "The needs continue [to be] great and the resources are dwindling."

According to information provided by the Diocese of Louisiana, "the opportunities to live into God's transformation are great. We invite all Episcopalians to come and join with us in the ongoing Gulf Coast recovery efforts. Many meaningful work experiences exist, including opportunities with rebuilding homes, feeding ministries and health and pastoral care. Serving together has provided a rich context for spiritual growth for thousands of volunteers."

Further information about volunteering with the Diocese of Louisiana is available here, by calling 504-895-6634 or emailing diocesan volunteer coordinator Pete Nunnally at pnunnally@edola.org. Click here to contact the Diocese of Mississippi. Further information about the Diocese of Mississippi's Camp Coast Care is available here or by calling 601-948-5954.

"Katrina Recovery: Rebuilding the Beloved Community," Episcopal Life Weekly bulletin inserts for August 31, will be available here.

Suggested Prayers of the People are available online here or can be downloaded as a pdf here.

-- The Rev. Lisa B. Hamilton is correspondent for Provinces I and IV. She is based in Sandisfield, Massachusetts and Venice, Florida.

Katrina Sunday: August 31, 2008

Suggested Prayers for the People

The following prayers and concluding collect are suggested for use by congregations throughout the Episcopal Church.

In peace we pray to you, O God of steadfast love.

Lord God, with grateful hearts we thank you for the many blessings of our lives, for the joy of families reunited, and the hope of homes and communities restored. We give thanks, too, for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in the continued prayers and presence of our sisters and brothers in Christ who have given so much to hurricane recovery. God of steadfast love, hear our prayer.

Protect us, O God, from the storms of life; help us to trust in you and open our hearts to care for one another. God of steadfast love, hear our prayer.
Guide all those who govern and hold authority, that they would act with justice and mercy for the good of all who share in our common life, especially along the Gulf Coast. God of steadfast love, hear our prayer.

Grant that your holy and life-giving Spirit may remove the barriers which divide us and so inspire us to serve you in all members of our community. God of steadfast love, hear our prayer.

Comfort and strengthen all those in any sorrow, need, or adversity, especially those grieving lives lost to Katrina and Rita, and those still seeking the shelter of a steady home. God of steadfast love, hear our prayer.

Give to the departed, especially those who perished during and after the storms of 2005, eternal rest, and let light perpetual shine upon them.

Suggested Concluding Collect:
(BCP p. 395, #5)

O Lord Our God, accept the fervent prayers of your people; in the multitude of your mercies, look with compassion upon u and all who turn to you for help; for you are gracious, O lover of souls, and to you we give glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.