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Peter Eddington, Media & Communications Services
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September 1, 2005

Good Works Program "Katrina Disaster Relief Project" Established

CINCINNATI, Ohio — The United Church of God is announcing a new Good Works Program project—the "Katrina Disaster Relief Project"—to help with the many needs of members of the United Church of God who were impacted by Hurricane Katrina. Read more information...

September 1, 2005

Hurricane Katrina Leaves Path of Destruction

CINCINNATI, Ohio — Shock and awe are the only ways to describe the entire world's reaction to the unimaginable devastation and human suffering along the Gulf Coast of the United States in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The news reports and images filtering out of the affected areas depict a scenario that is worsening instead of getting better.

Not only do we pray earnestly for God to help those in need, but our hearts and hands are extended as well. The apostle Paul wrote: "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith" (Galatians 6:10). Suffering knows no organizational, religious, ethnic, governmental or any other kind of boundaries, and we should be reaching out to all.

Information has slowly been trickling in from several United Church of God elders along the Gulf Coast, and we are relieved that at this point we have heard no reports of harm coming to any of our own Church members. However, due to the state of poor communications, not all of the affected members have been contacted, so we cannot make any kind of summary statement. Nor do we have more than sketchy reports about what kind of property damage they may have sustained. As more information comes in, we will certainly share it.

Unlike some of the very poor countries of the world that have little resources, we are at least blessed in this nation to have a strong infrastructure of federal and private aid organizations. These are the professionals, the best trained and equipped to efficiently deliver food and water, medicine, shelter and other basic essentials. The United Church of God supports their efforts and recommends that private or group collections be forwarded to the many reputable service groups, such as the Red Cross. For anyone who would particularly like to help the members of the Church, we suggest one of two things at this time:

1. Help directly those you may know personally.

2. Consider making a donation (or increasing the amount you otherwise already regularly donate) to the Church's "Assistance Fund." (Make checks payable to the United Church of God, and write "Assistance Fund" in the memo line.) We will likely be helping a number of our brethren in these affected areas using our "Assistance Fund"—beyond what was anticipated in the budget. This will be done in coordination with our ministers on the scene to make sure we can effectively help members in their need.

Mail donations marked "Assistance Fund" to:

United Church of God
P.O. Box 541027, Cincinnati, OH 45254-1027

We post the following information as a service to victims of the tragedy along the Gulf coast. Some of the public-relief resources that are most readily available to those affected by Hurricane Katrina are as follows:

• Those displaced are eligible immediately for unemployment benefits.
• The Red Cross is giving out vouchers to pay for apartment rent or other short-term housing.
• The Red Cross is paying for prescription medications that people need.
• All evacuees are being asked to register with the Red Cross so relatives and friends can locate them and know how they're doing by calling any local Red Cross chapter.
• Other Louisiana school systems are opening their classrooms for displaced students, allowing immediate registration and offering free breakfast and lunch programs.
• Texas is doing the same in their school systems. They want displaced children to enroll in school as soon as possible to try to give them some sense of order during this time of chaos and uncertainty.
• Many Goodwill stores are offering free clothes to those displaced by Katrina.

About the United Church of God, an International Association: Basing its beliefs on the biblical practices of the original 1st Century Church, the United Church of God maintains congregations in more than 40 countries around the world. Following the recorded example of Jesus Christ and the first apostles, the Church observes a seventh day Sabbath and the annual Holy Day seasons as outlined in the Old and New Testaments. The main offices of the Church are located in Cincinnati, Ohio. For more information about the Church's beliefs and activities, please visit www.ucg.org.