Thursday, August 30, 2007
Photos: Steps Coalition Meditations at Sunrise
Photos from the Clarion-Ledger coverage of the Steps Coalition Meditations at Sunrise, A Time for Planting service at the Gulfside United Methodist Assembly on the second anniversary of Katrina's landfall.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Second Anniversary
Today is August 28, 2007. Tomorrow will mark the second anniversary of Katrina's landfall. I suspect that it will not come as news to many that recovery is a long way away for much of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. A ride through Lakeview, Gentilly, and the Ninth Ward lays bare the reality that only a small percentage of homes have been replaced or repaired in the areas that were flooded. Yet the population of New Orleans is approaching pre-Katrina levels, now over 300,000, while medical care operates at less than 50% of past capacity. On the Mississippi side of the lake the situation is not much better. In Biloxi the casinos have sped up the economic recovery for the working population, however the poor, the disabled, the homeless, the elderly are all still waiting for the promised help. In East Biloxi less that 40% of the homes have been restored. Businesses are still shut down, there is no homeless shelter, and only one place for a free meal once per day. Pass Christian, Bay St Louis, and Waveland have just now begun to replace the sewers, utilities, and streets that were destroyed. It is hard not to be despondent when the major feature of the landscape is "front steps to nowhere" .
So what are we doing? Moving forward resolutely!
Tomorrow at 6 AM I will join about 200 people at Gulfside Assembly for a Sunrise Service. Gulfside is a UMC facility and was the only retreat center in the region open to African American congregations until the civil rights era. It seemed an appropriate place to hold a service to emphasize Jesus' call to serve those who have been marginalized. Bishop Duncan Gray of Mississippi will keynote. The service in interfaith and so we will pray Muslim, Jewish, and Christian prayers and read Buddhist meditations. We will do this in English, Spanish, Arabic, Vietnamese, and Hebrew. Such is common fare for New England, but not so familiar for Mississippi. The vision for the service is justice, compassion, and hope for all people.
Last night we hosted a dinner for members of an Indian delegation who were Tsunami survivors to look at the government response there and here and share stories of survival. One woman from Pass Christian told of being in a house with her two children and her mother. She had been frightened of water as a child, but had forced herself to take swimming lessons as an adult. When the water began to rise as the hurricane moved on shore, she was the only swimmer. She remembered being petrified of the water when she looked down from the second story as the waves washed in. Then the house collapsed and she was at once in the water. She told us of how she became peaceful and relaxed, knowing that God would care for her regardless of the outcome. She struggled to save both her mother and children. Just as she thought she would lose the battle a voice called out to her, "I will help you. I will get your mother, save the children." She told of how before the storm people in her neighborhood barely spoke, but after the storm they supported each other with tears, hugs, laughter and food. She told of trading some jambalaya she had made on a grill for cat food to feed the kitty. Simply one friend helping another friend and sharing the bounty. Sounds an awful lot like the feeding of the five thousand to me.
Jericho Road and Hallelujah Housing are both actively building new houses for poor familes in NOLA and in MS. More about those projects later. A news person asked me this morning if there was anything that I wanted to say about the anniversary. I offered that our hope is that we not be forgotten as time and distraction dim the memory of our country to what happened here. This was a disaster of epic proportions. We have had a response of epic proportions also, but there is a long way to go.
May God who cares for us give us the strength to go forward.
PS I have pics of the dinner. Will post when I download my camera. Stay tuned....
So what are we doing? Moving forward resolutely!
Tomorrow at 6 AM I will join about 200 people at Gulfside Assembly for a Sunrise Service. Gulfside is a UMC facility and was the only retreat center in the region open to African American congregations until the civil rights era. It seemed an appropriate place to hold a service to emphasize Jesus' call to serve those who have been marginalized. Bishop Duncan Gray of Mississippi will keynote. The service in interfaith and so we will pray Muslim, Jewish, and Christian prayers and read Buddhist meditations. We will do this in English, Spanish, Arabic, Vietnamese, and Hebrew. Such is common fare for New England, but not so familiar for Mississippi. The vision for the service is justice, compassion, and hope for all people.
Last night we hosted a dinner for members of an Indian delegation who were Tsunami survivors to look at the government response there and here and share stories of survival. One woman from Pass Christian told of being in a house with her two children and her mother. She had been frightened of water as a child, but had forced herself to take swimming lessons as an adult. When the water began to rise as the hurricane moved on shore, she was the only swimmer. She remembered being petrified of the water when she looked down from the second story as the waves washed in. Then the house collapsed and she was at once in the water. She told us of how she became peaceful and relaxed, knowing that God would care for her regardless of the outcome. She struggled to save both her mother and children. Just as she thought she would lose the battle a voice called out to her, "I will help you. I will get your mother, save the children." She told of how before the storm people in her neighborhood barely spoke, but after the storm they supported each other with tears, hugs, laughter and food. She told of trading some jambalaya she had made on a grill for cat food to feed the kitty. Simply one friend helping another friend and sharing the bounty. Sounds an awful lot like the feeding of the five thousand to me.
Jericho Road and Hallelujah Housing are both actively building new houses for poor familes in NOLA and in MS. More about those projects later. A news person asked me this morning if there was anything that I wanted to say about the anniversary. I offered that our hope is that we not be forgotten as time and distraction dim the memory of our country to what happened here. This was a disaster of epic proportions. We have had a response of epic proportions also, but there is a long way to go.
May God who cares for us give us the strength to go forward.
PS I have pics of the dinner. Will post when I download my camera. Stay tuned....
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Pentecost 2007
Wednesday, May 30th, 2007
As I write this, I am preparing to leave - yet again - to carry the hope that we on the Coast will not be forgotten by those whose lives were not torn apart by Katrina’s wind and water. It is my honor to do so and yet I will miss my new home terribly and will be eager to return to celebrate with my parish family. This coming Sunday is Pentecost, and I want to share my Pentecost reflection with you.
I suspect that you have seen the internet jokes that propose to determine one’s geographical region of birth by the name one calls certain objects. For instance do you call that thing from which you drink water a “water fountain” a “drinking fountain” or a “bubbler”? Chances are if you called it a “bubbler you are from Massachusetts. How about those athletic shoes… “sneakers”, tennis shoes, or “running shoes”? If you are form Mississippi you probably say “tennis shoes”, but in Massachusetts they are “sneakers”. One more… “soda”, “coke”, pop”, or tonic”? This is clearly a weird one because for me even Sprite is a “coke” but in Massachusetts they are all “tonic”. Now there are lots more, but here is my point. Language separates us. It identifies us as belonging to one group or another. Sometimes that can bring comfort, but at other times it can make us feel very much alone and at odds with our neighbors.
The Pentecost lessons from the Hebrew scriptures (Tower of Babel) and from the Christian writings (anointing of the Holy Spirit on the disciples) offer an interesting and enlightening dichotomy between separation due to self-centeredness and a desire for power versus togetherness that is born out of being united in love of God and compassion for others. In the first, the writer tells us that all people were originally one in origin and one in language. This Hebrew writer understood that such unity was a gift from God. But the people who were one began to believe that their abundance was of their own doing and so they built grand structures that were intended to augment their power at the expense of their dependency on God. And so God caused them to be separated by language, scattered abroad over the face of the earth, isolated and alone.
But scripture does not leave us in this place of isolation because from the Hebrew prophets to the writers of the Gospels and the Epistles we are reminded of God’s desire to draw us all together with God. And so we hear in this wonderful story of the early church how the Holy Spirit came and lit up the followers of Jesus literally and figuratively. They went into the streets telling Jesus’ story to anyone who would listen and they were understood by all except those who chose to be separated and apart. To those who would turn their back on their brothers and sisters the voices were cacophonies of unintelligible sounds.
And so I wonder, when are our voices unintelligible? What is it that prevents us from hearing and being heard? What is it that has the power to touch our tongues so that others might hear and understand? The author of Acts tells us that it is God’s Spirit that fills us with love, compassion, and a willingness to reach out to our brothers and sisters, to listen intently to the stories of struggle, to speak truthfully and openly in telling our own stories. When we open our hearts up to God and allow the Spirit to work in and through us then we are speaking the universal language of Love and we are able to be understood and to understand. That is my prayer for the people of the Church of the Redeemer and the people of Massachusetts, that we will open our hearts and minds to listen to each other and to seek our common ground of being agents of God’s mission in the world.
There are some exciting opportunities this summer. Bishop Bud will lead a group of adults to NOLA in June to engage issues of institutional racism with the people of Trinity New Orleans. Youth groups from Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, and New Jersey are all coming to work in Biloxi and Bay St Louis and to get to know the people of Redeemer. One Massachusetts group is going to specifically struggle with racism and classism. These young people from Marblehead and Lynn have committed to returning to Massachusetts equipped to “Build a Better America”. For a long time now I have been convinced that our young people stand head and shoulders above the crowd in the willingness to lead us to the place of Love and compassion. Lead on guys! You are filled with the Spirit and travelling God’s Highway this summer!
God’s Peace be with you,
Jane+
As I write this, I am preparing to leave - yet again - to carry the hope that we on the Coast will not be forgotten by those whose lives were not torn apart by Katrina’s wind and water. It is my honor to do so and yet I will miss my new home terribly and will be eager to return to celebrate with my parish family. This coming Sunday is Pentecost, and I want to share my Pentecost reflection with you.
I suspect that you have seen the internet jokes that propose to determine one’s geographical region of birth by the name one calls certain objects. For instance do you call that thing from which you drink water a “water fountain” a “drinking fountain” or a “bubbler”? Chances are if you called it a “bubbler you are from Massachusetts. How about those athletic shoes… “sneakers”, tennis shoes, or “running shoes”? If you are form Mississippi you probably say “tennis shoes”, but in Massachusetts they are “sneakers”. One more… “soda”, “coke”, pop”, or tonic”? This is clearly a weird one because for me even Sprite is a “coke” but in Massachusetts they are all “tonic”. Now there are lots more, but here is my point. Language separates us. It identifies us as belonging to one group or another. Sometimes that can bring comfort, but at other times it can make us feel very much alone and at odds with our neighbors.
The Pentecost lessons from the Hebrew scriptures (Tower of Babel) and from the Christian writings (anointing of the Holy Spirit on the disciples) offer an interesting and enlightening dichotomy between separation due to self-centeredness and a desire for power versus togetherness that is born out of being united in love of God and compassion for others. In the first, the writer tells us that all people were originally one in origin and one in language. This Hebrew writer understood that such unity was a gift from God. But the people who were one began to believe that their abundance was of their own doing and so they built grand structures that were intended to augment their power at the expense of their dependency on God. And so God caused them to be separated by language, scattered abroad over the face of the earth, isolated and alone.
But scripture does not leave us in this place of isolation because from the Hebrew prophets to the writers of the Gospels and the Epistles we are reminded of God’s desire to draw us all together with God. And so we hear in this wonderful story of the early church how the Holy Spirit came and lit up the followers of Jesus literally and figuratively. They went into the streets telling Jesus’ story to anyone who would listen and they were understood by all except those who chose to be separated and apart. To those who would turn their back on their brothers and sisters the voices were cacophonies of unintelligible sounds.
And so I wonder, when are our voices unintelligible? What is it that prevents us from hearing and being heard? What is it that has the power to touch our tongues so that others might hear and understand? The author of Acts tells us that it is God’s Spirit that fills us with love, compassion, and a willingness to reach out to our brothers and sisters, to listen intently to the stories of struggle, to speak truthfully and openly in telling our own stories. When we open our hearts up to God and allow the Spirit to work in and through us then we are speaking the universal language of Love and we are able to be understood and to understand. That is my prayer for the people of the Church of the Redeemer and the people of Massachusetts, that we will open our hearts and minds to listen to each other and to seek our common ground of being agents of God’s mission in the world.
There are some exciting opportunities this summer. Bishop Bud will lead a group of adults to NOLA in June to engage issues of institutional racism with the people of Trinity New Orleans. Youth groups from Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, and New Jersey are all coming to work in Biloxi and Bay St Louis and to get to know the people of Redeemer. One Massachusetts group is going to specifically struggle with racism and classism. These young people from Marblehead and Lynn have committed to returning to Massachusetts equipped to “Build a Better America”. For a long time now I have been convinced that our young people stand head and shoulders above the crowd in the willingness to lead us to the place of Love and compassion. Lead on guys! You are filled with the Spirit and travelling God’s Highway this summer!
God’s Peace be with you,
Jane+
A Blessed Holy Week
Friday, March 30th, 2007
Greetings from Mississippi,
We are on the brink of Holy Week and the activity is picking up. This is an especially heady time for us at Redeemer as Easter Sunday we will return to our property on the beach for services. Holy Saturday will be a day of beehive activity as we clean up construction debris, place audio-visual equipment, set up 200 chairs, move our “portable church” from the elementary school to a place that we can call our own, and hide Easter Eggs for a mega hunt. A 4 ft by 8ft sign stands in front of our parish house announcing our return and the local news plans to come to Redeemer on Saturday to interview parishioners. We have contracted with a marble company to repair the Camille Memorial and we plan to create a “green space” with the help of 70 or so Massachusetts kids this spring. The site of the old church, twice destroyed by hurricanes, will become our gift to the people of Biloxi as a memorial park, maintained by Redeemer, for visitors to come and sit for a while and take in the natural beauty of the place. It will also be a gift to those who mourn the loss of life and for those who hold out hope for a brighter future.
It has also occurred to me that I have written very little about my work at Redeemer. I am a bit of a workaholic, but today my boss ordered me home to rest. Miss Kitty is glad to have the company. I have focused my work on volunteer coordination in conjunction with the other non-profits in the area, work with the youth of Redeemer, Christian Education, and of course liturgy and preaching. The rector and I have enjoyed having each other as colleagues. We are both comfortable in our work and enjoy what we do. I am developing relationships with many parishioners and I like the parish a lot. I have encouraged them to step outside of the parish and to become more actively involved in the community. That ministry will probably not surprise anyone who knows me. We are beginning to set-up Godly Play for the Church School. Our numbers are small, so we plan to mix ages in revolutionary ways. It is our feeling that the closeness brought about by this cataclysmic loss will make it possible for us to worship and learn in such a diverse mix and will be powerful for both students and teachers. A volunteer group from Maryland has offered to come and do a Bible Camp for us in June. We will offer this program to all the children in the area. For our part we will support the parents by offering a full day of activities so that parents who work will be able to send their children. Our facilities are great as we have a wonderful day care center in our newly renovated DiMiller Hall.
One of the most often asked questions is “how can we help.” One way is to spread the word that this effort down here is not going to be fixed in a year or two. We are facing a 10 year effort just to get back to where we were in August of 2005. And with hurricane season fast approaching the realization that it could happen again is foremost on the minds of residents and relief workers alike. When I come to Boston I will bring pictures and stories about day care ministries, sheet rock ministries, human rights work, housing advocacy, financial counseling for low wealth families, and much, much more. But the most important message I will bring is “Thank you”. From all of us to all of you thank you for standing strong with us through this nightmare. Thank you for praying for us, for your gifts of money and time, and thank you for letting us know that we are not alone. If I have learned nothing else in my work at both Ground Zero and in the wake of Katrina, it is that the message of the resurrection is that God desires life for us – not death. God yearns for us to be fully alive and filled with the joy of this beautiful creation we call our home. Have a blessed Holy Week and a most joyful Easter.
Jane+
Greetings from Mississippi,
We are on the brink of Holy Week and the activity is picking up. This is an especially heady time for us at Redeemer as Easter Sunday we will return to our property on the beach for services. Holy Saturday will be a day of beehive activity as we clean up construction debris, place audio-visual equipment, set up 200 chairs, move our “portable church” from the elementary school to a place that we can call our own, and hide Easter Eggs for a mega hunt. A 4 ft by 8ft sign stands in front of our parish house announcing our return and the local news plans to come to Redeemer on Saturday to interview parishioners. We have contracted with a marble company to repair the Camille Memorial and we plan to create a “green space” with the help of 70 or so Massachusetts kids this spring. The site of the old church, twice destroyed by hurricanes, will become our gift to the people of Biloxi as a memorial park, maintained by Redeemer, for visitors to come and sit for a while and take in the natural beauty of the place. It will also be a gift to those who mourn the loss of life and for those who hold out hope for a brighter future.
It has also occurred to me that I have written very little about my work at Redeemer. I am a bit of a workaholic, but today my boss ordered me home to rest. Miss Kitty is glad to have the company. I have focused my work on volunteer coordination in conjunction with the other non-profits in the area, work with the youth of Redeemer, Christian Education, and of course liturgy and preaching. The rector and I have enjoyed having each other as colleagues. We are both comfortable in our work and enjoy what we do. I am developing relationships with many parishioners and I like the parish a lot. I have encouraged them to step outside of the parish and to become more actively involved in the community. That ministry will probably not surprise anyone who knows me. We are beginning to set-up Godly Play for the Church School. Our numbers are small, so we plan to mix ages in revolutionary ways. It is our feeling that the closeness brought about by this cataclysmic loss will make it possible for us to worship and learn in such a diverse mix and will be powerful for both students and teachers. A volunteer group from Maryland has offered to come and do a Bible Camp for us in June. We will offer this program to all the children in the area. For our part we will support the parents by offering a full day of activities so that parents who work will be able to send their children. Our facilities are great as we have a wonderful day care center in our newly renovated DiMiller Hall.
One of the most often asked questions is “how can we help.” One way is to spread the word that this effort down here is not going to be fixed in a year or two. We are facing a 10 year effort just to get back to where we were in August of 2005. And with hurricane season fast approaching the realization that it could happen again is foremost on the minds of residents and relief workers alike. When I come to Boston I will bring pictures and stories about day care ministries, sheet rock ministries, human rights work, housing advocacy, financial counseling for low wealth families, and much, much more. But the most important message I will bring is “Thank you”. From all of us to all of you thank you for standing strong with us through this nightmare. Thank you for praying for us, for your gifts of money and time, and thank you for letting us know that we are not alone. If I have learned nothing else in my work at both Ground Zero and in the wake of Katrina, it is that the message of the resurrection is that God desires life for us – not death. God yearns for us to be fully alive and filled with the joy of this beautiful creation we call our home. Have a blessed Holy Week and a most joyful Easter.
Jane+
Blessings and Peace
Thursday, March 22nd, 2007
It has been awhile since I have written, but that should definitely not be construed as my not holding you and your snow in my heart! By the way it is hitting the 80s here now! But all this will change when it is 100 here and 80 in New England.
This week a group of students from Tufts have been working in one of the free clinics here. One of the students is a parishioner at Old North Church. We had emailed briefly prior to their arrival, but not set up any definite plans to connect. So Tuesday as I headed back from the beach (working not playing) I decided to swing by the clinic and say hello. We had a great time talking. I invited the group to join us for the midweek Eucharist with healing prayers. They expressed the same outrage at the slow pace in getting resources to the poorest of the Gulf Coast residents and the same admiration for the resilience and perseverance of the people here. I really do wish each of you could come down (even if not to work) and just see the look of despair on the faces of those who have stood in line, filled out paperwork, and who are just simply exhausted from the process of trying to state their needs. I am reminded of the Psalm… “There is no hope in me” Of course we, like the Psalmist, know that our only hope rests in God and that hope is not in vain.
In the Epistle for Wed Paul reminds us to rejoice. As we talked each person had a story of their struggle with loss but could also talk about the moments where a hand reached out or someone said just the right thing to help them see the joy, the reason to rejoice in the midst of the hardship. I think this is what Paul means when he talks about the Peace of God that passes understanding. This Peace is not freedom from trouble, it is being engaged in all of life, the painful and the joyful, and being aware of god’s presence through both. That is one of the most wonderful things about being with the volunteers. People standing with people and both being aware of God standing there too.
On the work front, I am happy to say that House Bill 1227 passed. This bill expanded the continued government assistance to Mississippi , Texas, and the rest of Louisiana. Among other things it will improve the tracking of recovery money, allow at least some of those living in FEMA trailers to get a Section 8 voucher to keep the trailer longer, clarify the use of the already allocated funds that are sitting idle, and provide for support for those who were living in public housing and low income housing. This is a good bill for all of the areas hit by Katrina and Rita.
There is a lot of energy here. We are about to complete the work on DiMiller Hall which is the old parish house on the beach. We are talking to several non-profits about using the space as Redeemer stands to take its place as a force for justice in the recovery process. There will be more to follow on this later. We are really excited as this Easter our parish will worship in Dimiller Hall. It is not the perfect palce for a worship service and we will be crowded, but we will be in our own space as a whole parish for the first time since the storm. It is a huge move and we ask that you pray for us and with us as we celebrate this occasion.
I heard today that one parish, St Mark’s, is going to designate its Easter Sunday loose plate offering to the ministry here. I spread the word quickly to others at Redeemer. We are grateful and humbled by this gift. There have been so many gifts that it seems overwhelming sometimes. In April I will return to Boston for Clergy Conference. I will be in several places over the week, preaching and offering pictures and stories from the Coast and from New Orleans. I also invite you to check out my pictures of Redeemer’s dedication of our office space and my trip to New Orleans at flickr.com.
Blessings and Peace as we move toward Holy Week and Easter. You are always in my prayers.
Jane+
It has been awhile since I have written, but that should definitely not be construed as my not holding you and your snow in my heart! By the way it is hitting the 80s here now! But all this will change when it is 100 here and 80 in New England.
This week a group of students from Tufts have been working in one of the free clinics here. One of the students is a parishioner at Old North Church. We had emailed briefly prior to their arrival, but not set up any definite plans to connect. So Tuesday as I headed back from the beach (working not playing) I decided to swing by the clinic and say hello. We had a great time talking. I invited the group to join us for the midweek Eucharist with healing prayers. They expressed the same outrage at the slow pace in getting resources to the poorest of the Gulf Coast residents and the same admiration for the resilience and perseverance of the people here. I really do wish each of you could come down (even if not to work) and just see the look of despair on the faces of those who have stood in line, filled out paperwork, and who are just simply exhausted from the process of trying to state their needs. I am reminded of the Psalm… “There is no hope in me” Of course we, like the Psalmist, know that our only hope rests in God and that hope is not in vain.
In the Epistle for Wed Paul reminds us to rejoice. As we talked each person had a story of their struggle with loss but could also talk about the moments where a hand reached out or someone said just the right thing to help them see the joy, the reason to rejoice in the midst of the hardship. I think this is what Paul means when he talks about the Peace of God that passes understanding. This Peace is not freedom from trouble, it is being engaged in all of life, the painful and the joyful, and being aware of god’s presence through both. That is one of the most wonderful things about being with the volunteers. People standing with people and both being aware of God standing there too.
On the work front, I am happy to say that House Bill 1227 passed. This bill expanded the continued government assistance to Mississippi , Texas, and the rest of Louisiana. Among other things it will improve the tracking of recovery money, allow at least some of those living in FEMA trailers to get a Section 8 voucher to keep the trailer longer, clarify the use of the already allocated funds that are sitting idle, and provide for support for those who were living in public housing and low income housing. This is a good bill for all of the areas hit by Katrina and Rita.
There is a lot of energy here. We are about to complete the work on DiMiller Hall which is the old parish house on the beach. We are talking to several non-profits about using the space as Redeemer stands to take its place as a force for justice in the recovery process. There will be more to follow on this later. We are really excited as this Easter our parish will worship in Dimiller Hall. It is not the perfect palce for a worship service and we will be crowded, but we will be in our own space as a whole parish for the first time since the storm. It is a huge move and we ask that you pray for us and with us as we celebrate this occasion.
I heard today that one parish, St Mark’s, is going to designate its Easter Sunday loose plate offering to the ministry here. I spread the word quickly to others at Redeemer. We are grateful and humbled by this gift. There have been so many gifts that it seems overwhelming sometimes. In April I will return to Boston for Clergy Conference. I will be in several places over the week, preaching and offering pictures and stories from the Coast and from New Orleans. I also invite you to check out my pictures of Redeemer’s dedication of our office space and my trip to New Orleans at flickr.com.
Blessings and Peace as we move toward Holy Week and Easter. You are always in my prayers.
Jane+
Photos on Flickr
Tuesday, March 6th, 2007
Jane is now posting photos on her Flickr account:
www.flickr.com/photos/12934147@N00
Jane is now posting photos on her Flickr account:
www.flickr.com/photos/12934147@N00
A Time to Build Up
Wednesday, February 28th, 2007
“A time to build up” Eccl 3:3
This scripture reference is on a lot of store fronts around here. There is a lot of building going on for sure. Today, riding along Hwy 90, I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of debris that still covers empty lots where houses once stood. All up and down the coast there are machines and people working to build up that which was torn down. There is a sense of urgency and at the same time some hesitancy. One of the Redeemer parishioners told me that she had not unpacked the last six boxes of stuff that she had saved from the water. We talked about why she was reluctant to unpack them. With a bit of an embarrassed smile she said “once they are all unpacked I will know for sure that what is not here was lost. As long as they are packed I can still imagine that I saved some particular item.” We talked for awhile about the finality of knowing and the difficulty in going on with life after such loss and grief. She wondered if the boxes were in fact allowing her to stay with the disaster and not move on with her life. A couple of weeks later in the Sunday morning Eucharist I heard this in the prayers of the people, “I offer thanksgivings for empty boxes”. I looked up and she was smiling broadly. It is indeed a time to build up.
It has been awhile since I have written. No, I have not been on vacation, although, the weather has been stellar so it has felt that way. We have been working on our new Parish House. The youth/adult group from Epiphany, Winchester finished the painting for us. They spent most of the week working in Bay St Louis. I will let those folks tell their own story, but I will say that they were phenomenal. The gnats were way more than annoying and the accommodations left a bit to be desired, but the energy and the passion of the group did not flag. They erected a Quonset (sp?) hut, perhaps 2 (I missed their last two days). For Mardi Gras we went to a parade in BSL that was pretty small, but we all had a great time. They also came over to Biloxi and shared the Ash Wednesday Eucharist with us. We all gathered after at my house for a “Lenten Meal” (gumbo, pizza, salad, and cookies). All in all a great week for both Epiphany and Redeemer.
Our PH is pictured at www.flickr.com (contact = janebbearden). There are lots of other pictures there also. Some from today are of some modular houses in Pass Christian (pronounced chris’/chee/ann). These houses come in sections and are assembled on site. That is no small feat as they are assembled 18ft in the air. The FEMA guidelines for building in that area call for 18ft. In addition, the pilings on which the structure sits are either these HUGE wooden pilings or cinder blocks, reinforced with steel and poured concrete. The foundation adds $20,000 to the cost of the home. I suspect that you can predict the next issue… how does someone in a wheelchair get in the house? Elevator of course – which adds another $8,000 to the cost.
One effort underway is finding funds to support these building projects. Low income home owners often need financial counseling in order to get and to keep their home. Frequently, they would have been able to afford a replacement mortgage, but with the new building codes there is a gap in their available funding. Enter ERD and others. Gap money comes in grants from individuals and from institutions like ERD and is used to buy down the mortgage to a reasonable level for the homeowner. Many of these loans are forgiven if the owner does not sell for ten years. All of this is income dependent. The help is going to those who need it the most. The smiles on the faces of the families who have just moved from a FEMA trailer into their new home are the greatest reward. Check out a website called STEPS. It is an interfaith coalition that is a great model for what we could do in Massachusetts. These guys are organized!
Parish life moves on too. We are in the midst of Lenten Study, youth group spring activities, choosing SS curriculum and all of the rest of the stuff that makes parish life so great. The Red Sox tied the Twins tonight. I caught the last couple of innings. That is my connection to New England when all else fails. I love my team. One of my 5th graders came into SS with a Red Sox hat. We grow ‘em up right down here!
I pray for my brothers and sisters in Massachusetts daily and hope you do the same for me.
Blessings on you Lenten journey,
Jane+
“A time to build up” Eccl 3:3
This scripture reference is on a lot of store fronts around here. There is a lot of building going on for sure. Today, riding along Hwy 90, I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of debris that still covers empty lots where houses once stood. All up and down the coast there are machines and people working to build up that which was torn down. There is a sense of urgency and at the same time some hesitancy. One of the Redeemer parishioners told me that she had not unpacked the last six boxes of stuff that she had saved from the water. We talked about why she was reluctant to unpack them. With a bit of an embarrassed smile she said “once they are all unpacked I will know for sure that what is not here was lost. As long as they are packed I can still imagine that I saved some particular item.” We talked for awhile about the finality of knowing and the difficulty in going on with life after such loss and grief. She wondered if the boxes were in fact allowing her to stay with the disaster and not move on with her life. A couple of weeks later in the Sunday morning Eucharist I heard this in the prayers of the people, “I offer thanksgivings for empty boxes”. I looked up and she was smiling broadly. It is indeed a time to build up.
It has been awhile since I have written. No, I have not been on vacation, although, the weather has been stellar so it has felt that way. We have been working on our new Parish House. The youth/adult group from Epiphany, Winchester finished the painting for us. They spent most of the week working in Bay St Louis. I will let those folks tell their own story, but I will say that they were phenomenal. The gnats were way more than annoying and the accommodations left a bit to be desired, but the energy and the passion of the group did not flag. They erected a Quonset (sp?) hut, perhaps 2 (I missed their last two days). For Mardi Gras we went to a parade in BSL that was pretty small, but we all had a great time. They also came over to Biloxi and shared the Ash Wednesday Eucharist with us. We all gathered after at my house for a “Lenten Meal” (gumbo, pizza, salad, and cookies). All in all a great week for both Epiphany and Redeemer.
Our PH is pictured at www.flickr.com (contact = janebbearden). There are lots of other pictures there also. Some from today are of some modular houses in Pass Christian (pronounced chris’/chee/ann). These houses come in sections and are assembled on site. That is no small feat as they are assembled 18ft in the air. The FEMA guidelines for building in that area call for 18ft. In addition, the pilings on which the structure sits are either these HUGE wooden pilings or cinder blocks, reinforced with steel and poured concrete. The foundation adds $20,000 to the cost of the home. I suspect that you can predict the next issue… how does someone in a wheelchair get in the house? Elevator of course – which adds another $8,000 to the cost.
One effort underway is finding funds to support these building projects. Low income home owners often need financial counseling in order to get and to keep their home. Frequently, they would have been able to afford a replacement mortgage, but with the new building codes there is a gap in their available funding. Enter ERD and others. Gap money comes in grants from individuals and from institutions like ERD and is used to buy down the mortgage to a reasonable level for the homeowner. Many of these loans are forgiven if the owner does not sell for ten years. All of this is income dependent. The help is going to those who need it the most. The smiles on the faces of the families who have just moved from a FEMA trailer into their new home are the greatest reward. Check out a website called STEPS. It is an interfaith coalition that is a great model for what we could do in Massachusetts. These guys are organized!
Parish life moves on too. We are in the midst of Lenten Study, youth group spring activities, choosing SS curriculum and all of the rest of the stuff that makes parish life so great. The Red Sox tied the Twins tonight. I caught the last couple of innings. That is my connection to New England when all else fails. I love my team. One of my 5th graders came into SS with a Red Sox hat. We grow ‘em up right down here!
I pray for my brothers and sisters in Massachusetts daily and hope you do the same for me.
Blessings on you Lenten journey,
Jane+
Carnival is Upon Us!
Saturday, February 17th, 2007
I have a new language. I now speak FEMA. When one goes to a meeting to learn about the process for applying for a fair share of the disaster pie, one needs to be fluent in FEMA. As one might expect, FEMA is largely spoken in mnemonics. Some of them are more familiar than others and I suspect the ECM (another one) folks will be able to rattle them off easily. See how many you know. Answers will appear at the end!
CDBG, MDA, SRPAP, CDC, AMI, MR, ECD, GO-Zone, CDFI, LIHTC
Mnemonics aside the numbers are staggering and the complexity of the distribution program is mind-boggling. Much of the money sits in the hands of government agencies or credit unions waiting for qualified recipients to be identified. But that is just the tip of the iceberg. There are thousands of families in the four coastal counties of Mississippi for whom there is no money. These include condo owners, houseboat owners, trailer owners, and renters. They are not eligible for housing replacement funds because they did not own the land on which their dwelling sat. Many of those who do qualify as land-owners and who meet the income requirement find themselves still waiting because they cannot prove a clear title. Many of the records were destroyed in the same water that took the dwelling. The saying “run in circles- scream and shout” seems appropriate to this situation.
Today, I attended a meeting at the Mississippi Development Authority on the mechanism for the distribution of Phase II funds. The meeting took place at one of the centers where homeowners go to apply for building grants. The center was located in an outlet strip mall off Interstate 10. Opening the door I was greeting by 5 people in t-shirts sitting behind a long table. There room was large, but there were white cloth drapes, hanging like the curtains in a hospital room and separating the room into several smaller areas of “privacy”. I believe there were about 25 people working there. There was also a steady stream of people coming in to get help filling out the paperwork. The noise made it difficult to imagine how anyone could concentrate on their work. The MDA workers were polite and friendly though. People were patient with the process, but I suspect that this had more to do with combat fatigue from the process than from anything else. As I sat in that room with so much going on all about me, I was struck by how much the scene resembled the chaos in Baton Rouge right after the levees broke. In hundreds of over-crowded shelters people used imaginary lines to cordon off small areas for themselves. There are so many people trying to find some place - some space to call their own. Our constitution guarantees us the right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”. Sometimes that “pursuit” is a really twisted journey.
And so we try to reach out to those we can help. The non-profits with whom I have been working are awesome folks who are committed to being hands and voice for those who would otherwise be overlooked. The Rev. Carol Stewart of the Diocese of Mississippi (a Deacon and an outreach missioner by call!) has introduced me to the players on the coast and has asked that I work with her to find ways for the Episcopal Church to enter effectively into the recovery process both with volunteers and with financial donations. That is a part of my job that I can get really excited about.
Another group that is still getting a lot of business is the Interfaith Disaster Task Force (IDTF). This group has a huge warehouse that is loaded with material shipped in from all over the country to be distributed to people who are trying to get their homes back together. They do a great job. When the volunteer groups come down, I try to get the building materials there beforehand in order to have them ready to go. The man who runs the warehouse is from Maynard. He and I chuckled about the weather reports from Massachusetts this week.
Sunday a group of young people from Epiphany in Winchester will arrive to work in Bay St Louis. I plan to join them on Tuesday for some work and for the Mardi Gras parade. On Wednesday the group will join Church of the Redeemer for the Ash Wednesday liturgy and then come to my house for gumbo. I am really looking forward to seeing some folks from home. I am also excited about next week as I have the honor of giving the invocation at the beginning of the Mardi Gras Ball here in Biloxi. Formal attire is not my favorite apparel, but this one should be fun. I will try to get some pictures of the festivities.
OK back to the quiz…
• CDBG – Community Development Block Grant
• MDA – Mississippi Development Authority
• SRPAP – Small Rental Property Assistance Program
• CDC – Community Development Corporation
• AMI – Average Median Income
• MR – Market Rate
• ECD – Enterprise Corporation of the Delta
• GO-Zone – Gulf Opportunity Zone
• CDFI – Community Development Financial Institution
• LIHTC – Low Income Housing Tax Credit
That’s it. Lassez les bon temp rouleaux!.
I have a new language. I now speak FEMA. When one goes to a meeting to learn about the process for applying for a fair share of the disaster pie, one needs to be fluent in FEMA. As one might expect, FEMA is largely spoken in mnemonics. Some of them are more familiar than others and I suspect the ECM (another one) folks will be able to rattle them off easily. See how many you know. Answers will appear at the end!
CDBG, MDA, SRPAP, CDC, AMI, MR, ECD, GO-Zone, CDFI, LIHTC
Mnemonics aside the numbers are staggering and the complexity of the distribution program is mind-boggling. Much of the money sits in the hands of government agencies or credit unions waiting for qualified recipients to be identified. But that is just the tip of the iceberg. There are thousands of families in the four coastal counties of Mississippi for whom there is no money. These include condo owners, houseboat owners, trailer owners, and renters. They are not eligible for housing replacement funds because they did not own the land on which their dwelling sat. Many of those who do qualify as land-owners and who meet the income requirement find themselves still waiting because they cannot prove a clear title. Many of the records were destroyed in the same water that took the dwelling. The saying “run in circles- scream and shout” seems appropriate to this situation.
Today, I attended a meeting at the Mississippi Development Authority on the mechanism for the distribution of Phase II funds. The meeting took place at one of the centers where homeowners go to apply for building grants. The center was located in an outlet strip mall off Interstate 10. Opening the door I was greeting by 5 people in t-shirts sitting behind a long table. There room was large, but there were white cloth drapes, hanging like the curtains in a hospital room and separating the room into several smaller areas of “privacy”. I believe there were about 25 people working there. There was also a steady stream of people coming in to get help filling out the paperwork. The noise made it difficult to imagine how anyone could concentrate on their work. The MDA workers were polite and friendly though. People were patient with the process, but I suspect that this had more to do with combat fatigue from the process than from anything else. As I sat in that room with so much going on all about me, I was struck by how much the scene resembled the chaos in Baton Rouge right after the levees broke. In hundreds of over-crowded shelters people used imaginary lines to cordon off small areas for themselves. There are so many people trying to find some place - some space to call their own. Our constitution guarantees us the right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”. Sometimes that “pursuit” is a really twisted journey.
And so we try to reach out to those we can help. The non-profits with whom I have been working are awesome folks who are committed to being hands and voice for those who would otherwise be overlooked. The Rev. Carol Stewart of the Diocese of Mississippi (a Deacon and an outreach missioner by call!) has introduced me to the players on the coast and has asked that I work with her to find ways for the Episcopal Church to enter effectively into the recovery process both with volunteers and with financial donations. That is a part of my job that I can get really excited about.
Another group that is still getting a lot of business is the Interfaith Disaster Task Force (IDTF). This group has a huge warehouse that is loaded with material shipped in from all over the country to be distributed to people who are trying to get their homes back together. They do a great job. When the volunteer groups come down, I try to get the building materials there beforehand in order to have them ready to go. The man who runs the warehouse is from Maynard. He and I chuckled about the weather reports from Massachusetts this week.
Sunday a group of young people from Epiphany in Winchester will arrive to work in Bay St Louis. I plan to join them on Tuesday for some work and for the Mardi Gras parade. On Wednesday the group will join Church of the Redeemer for the Ash Wednesday liturgy and then come to my house for gumbo. I am really looking forward to seeing some folks from home. I am also excited about next week as I have the honor of giving the invocation at the beginning of the Mardi Gras Ball here in Biloxi. Formal attire is not my favorite apparel, but this one should be fun. I will try to get some pictures of the festivities.
OK back to the quiz…
• CDBG – Community Development Block Grant
• MDA – Mississippi Development Authority
• SRPAP – Small Rental Property Assistance Program
• CDC – Community Development Corporation
• AMI – Average Median Income
• MR – Market Rate
• ECD – Enterprise Corporation of the Delta
• GO-Zone – Gulf Opportunity Zone
• CDFI – Community Development Financial Institution
• LIHTC – Low Income Housing Tax Credit
That’s it. Lassez les bon temp rouleaux!.
Deep Waters
Saturday, February 10th, 2007
“Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.”
John 5:4
Hello from Mississippi,
We have finally had a week without rain. I would tell those of you who are frozen in Massachusetts that “I feel your pain”, but alas – I do not. It has been in the 60s and 70s here and absolutely beautiful. I noticed a tan line where my watchband rides.
This week we worked on the old building that is to become our new office. It is great to have a place to go to work. It comes complete with mice, insects, bats, and cats. Sounds like a few of the churches in New England that I have seen. The group from Maryland helped us paint it on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday the members of Redeemer invited them to the newly painted office for a first Eucharist in our new space. The space was a bit tight, but since we had no chairs we were all able to fit. Supper to follow was Red Beans and Rice. Ya gotta love the food in the South!
On Thursday I joined our new friends at Camp Biloxi for dinner and a movie that was made by a local TV station. It tells the story of Katrina and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. It is the most powerful presentation I have seen. In particular, there are some images of driving down Highway 90. Side by side are images taken before and after the storm. What is strikingly apparent in the movie is the unbelievable power of water to overcome and overpower anything in its way. What is strikingly apparent in the faces of both Mississippians and volunteers from other places alike is the unbelievable power of God to love and to care for all, to restore to wholeness that which is broken. Jesus sent the disciples into deep water to fish. It was certainly the most difficult and dangerous place and yet it was also the place where they would find abundant reward. During our Wednesday Eucharist I asked if anyone would like to share their experience of being called by God into the deep waters of mission. Many spoke of the satisfaction of doing a job and helping others. One though spoke of having no choice. “God is persistent” he said. “God will not let me rest in the shallow places.”
One of our parishioners called today to ask about Redeemer sending some money to Florida to help those who had been devastated by the tornados there. As money came to Redeemer in grants from parishes far and wide after the storm, the vestry had voted to put aside 10% of the money to share with others. And so it goes. God calls us out of the shallow places and into the deep waters of sharing our abundance with others. If you or your parish feels the tug, please contact me. There is much to be done and much southern hospitality here to be shared.
God’s Peace,
Jane+
“Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.”
John 5:4
Hello from Mississippi,
We have finally had a week without rain. I would tell those of you who are frozen in Massachusetts that “I feel your pain”, but alas – I do not. It has been in the 60s and 70s here and absolutely beautiful. I noticed a tan line where my watchband rides.
This week we worked on the old building that is to become our new office. It is great to have a place to go to work. It comes complete with mice, insects, bats, and cats. Sounds like a few of the churches in New England that I have seen. The group from Maryland helped us paint it on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday the members of Redeemer invited them to the newly painted office for a first Eucharist in our new space. The space was a bit tight, but since we had no chairs we were all able to fit. Supper to follow was Red Beans and Rice. Ya gotta love the food in the South!
On Thursday I joined our new friends at Camp Biloxi for dinner and a movie that was made by a local TV station. It tells the story of Katrina and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. It is the most powerful presentation I have seen. In particular, there are some images of driving down Highway 90. Side by side are images taken before and after the storm. What is strikingly apparent in the movie is the unbelievable power of water to overcome and overpower anything in its way. What is strikingly apparent in the faces of both Mississippians and volunteers from other places alike is the unbelievable power of God to love and to care for all, to restore to wholeness that which is broken. Jesus sent the disciples into deep water to fish. It was certainly the most difficult and dangerous place and yet it was also the place where they would find abundant reward. During our Wednesday Eucharist I asked if anyone would like to share their experience of being called by God into the deep waters of mission. Many spoke of the satisfaction of doing a job and helping others. One though spoke of having no choice. “God is persistent” he said. “God will not let me rest in the shallow places.”
One of our parishioners called today to ask about Redeemer sending some money to Florida to help those who had been devastated by the tornados there. As money came to Redeemer in grants from parishes far and wide after the storm, the vestry had voted to put aside 10% of the money to share with others. And so it goes. God calls us out of the shallow places and into the deep waters of sharing our abundance with others. If you or your parish feels the tug, please contact me. There is much to be done and much southern hospitality here to be shared.
God’s Peace,
Jane+
On The Ground
Monday, February 5th, 2007
This will be my last entry for this week. As I said it has been a full week of work and fun.
I arrived back in Biloxi from Council around 3 PM and went immediately to Camp Biloxi to greet a group from Maryland. They are a great bunch of folks who have worked on painting the interior of a 100 year old house that we will use as office space for the next two years. You would not believe this place. It is a disaster from the very old wiring to the open flame gas heaters, to the snakes in the shed. Well I haven’t seen one yet, but I know they are there! I feed the cats living under the house every day in hopes that they will discourage other varmints.
Anyway Maryland is helping us today and tomorrow and then they will go to Gulfport to work on a housing project for the remainder of the week. We are planning a Eucharist on Wednesday eve with my own red beans and rice to follow. I am looking forward to Natasha Stewart and company coming down in a couple of weeks. I am trying hard to get all of my boxes unpacked before they arrive.
Only 2 weeks until pitchers and catchers report to Fort Meyers. I await the arrival of the boys anxiously and am planning to take in a game or two before they return to Boston for the summer. Let me know if you are going to any of the games and perhaps we could get together.
I hope to get over to New Orleans soon. Mardi Gras is looming however and I am hesitant to try to get a parking space in the Garden District until Lent. If anyone needs beads or masks let me know. They are really cheap here now and available in every store. The entire city has become green, gold, and purple. They even sell King Cakes at the gas stations.
I would love to have some of you post a comment on the blog. Just register and post. It will not appear right away but the blog administrator will make sure it gets on the site. I would love to hear your thoughts on our mission here on the Gulf Coast.
One note of caution. My old email address at Comcast is gone. I know some from the Merrimack Deanery had written to me on it but I cannot retrieve those mails. Please resend them to that same address but use janebbearden and then @gmail.com” instead of comcast.
May God bless you this week,
Jane
This will be my last entry for this week. As I said it has been a full week of work and fun.
I arrived back in Biloxi from Council around 3 PM and went immediately to Camp Biloxi to greet a group from Maryland. They are a great bunch of folks who have worked on painting the interior of a 100 year old house that we will use as office space for the next two years. You would not believe this place. It is a disaster from the very old wiring to the open flame gas heaters, to the snakes in the shed. Well I haven’t seen one yet, but I know they are there! I feed the cats living under the house every day in hopes that they will discourage other varmints.
Anyway Maryland is helping us today and tomorrow and then they will go to Gulfport to work on a housing project for the remainder of the week. We are planning a Eucharist on Wednesday eve with my own red beans and rice to follow. I am looking forward to Natasha Stewart and company coming down in a couple of weeks. I am trying hard to get all of my boxes unpacked before they arrive.
Only 2 weeks until pitchers and catchers report to Fort Meyers. I await the arrival of the boys anxiously and am planning to take in a game or two before they return to Boston for the summer. Let me know if you are going to any of the games and perhaps we could get together.
I hope to get over to New Orleans soon. Mardi Gras is looming however and I am hesitant to try to get a parking space in the Garden District until Lent. If anyone needs beads or masks let me know. They are really cheap here now and available in every store. The entire city has become green, gold, and purple. They even sell King Cakes at the gas stations.
I would love to have some of you post a comment on the blog. Just register and post. It will not appear right away but the blog administrator will make sure it gets on the site. I would love to hear your thoughts on our mission here on the Gulf Coast.
One note of caution. My old email address at Comcast is gone. I know some from the Merrimack Deanery had written to me on it but I cannot retrieve those mails. Please resend them to that same address but use janebbearden and then @gmail.com” instead of comcast.
May God bless you this week,
Jane
Council
Monday, February 5th, 2007
After the housing conference, I headed to Vicksburg for diocesan convention (called Council here). Rumor had it that this event is a much loved family reunion and that I would have a wonderful time. Hmmmm…
After registration I went to the hotel. The convention did not actually begin until 7 PM Friday night. For this evening the attire was cassock, surplice, tippet, and hood. Incense wafted to the ceiling and our prayers rose with it. Our sermon was a 47 minute address by Bishop Gray via recording as he was away due to a death in the family. By the time it ended my Massachusetts weight cassock was soaked through with perspiration and I was not the only one. Evening prayer ended and we moved right into the opening business of Council still in our vestments. Thankfully there was a lot of iced tea once the refreshments came around.
The following day was much the same as MA. There was some heated debate around a couple of resolutions, but the sense that I got (driven largely by Bishop Gray’s address) was that they want to be a reconciling bridge, not taking sides but welcoming all to the Table. Each voice had an opportunity to speak and each received a respectful audience. In the end one contentious resolution asked for restraint from the National Church in speaking on pro-choice and another required all clergy and lay leadership to complete anti-racism training. The resolution is almost a duplicate of our requirement. One of the Redeemer parishioners made an articulate statement on why the resolution needed to use the word “required” rather than the proposed “invited”. In the end a resounding voice vote drove home the commitment of the Episcopal Church in Mississippi to the hard work of telling our stories and changing the institutions and the hearts that foster racism. Council was adjourned 30 minutes late. But it did not end.
We returned that night for Etouffee, Jambalaya, and Gumbo, lots of music, and much southern merry-making. On Sunday we gathered again for Eucharist. This time we were decked out in albs and white stoles. I could not count the deacons, there were 8 vergers, dozens of acolytes and lay ministers, and more than enough priests. Our own Shannon Johnston, bishop-elect of Virginia, preached. Incense once again filled the hall. It was a great way to end a full but fun weekend. I ran into many old friends including Andy Andrews who was at EDS with me, some old school buddies, and a couple who had been at EDS and who turned out to be related to a good friend of mine. I also ran into some who I believe would prefer that I return to Massachusetts and take the other women clergy with me. They were in the smallest minority though and all in all I felt warmly welcomed and appreciated. Harold (the rector of Redeemer) made sure that I had everything I needed and met the people I needed to meet and he misbehaved in church almost as much as Jane G. I keep getting these bosses who get me into trouble!
More to follow…
After the housing conference, I headed to Vicksburg for diocesan convention (called Council here). Rumor had it that this event is a much loved family reunion and that I would have a wonderful time. Hmmmm…
After registration I went to the hotel. The convention did not actually begin until 7 PM Friday night. For this evening the attire was cassock, surplice, tippet, and hood. Incense wafted to the ceiling and our prayers rose with it. Our sermon was a 47 minute address by Bishop Gray via recording as he was away due to a death in the family. By the time it ended my Massachusetts weight cassock was soaked through with perspiration and I was not the only one. Evening prayer ended and we moved right into the opening business of Council still in our vestments. Thankfully there was a lot of iced tea once the refreshments came around.
The following day was much the same as MA. There was some heated debate around a couple of resolutions, but the sense that I got (driven largely by Bishop Gray’s address) was that they want to be a reconciling bridge, not taking sides but welcoming all to the Table. Each voice had an opportunity to speak and each received a respectful audience. In the end one contentious resolution asked for restraint from the National Church in speaking on pro-choice and another required all clergy and lay leadership to complete anti-racism training. The resolution is almost a duplicate of our requirement. One of the Redeemer parishioners made an articulate statement on why the resolution needed to use the word “required” rather than the proposed “invited”. In the end a resounding voice vote drove home the commitment of the Episcopal Church in Mississippi to the hard work of telling our stories and changing the institutions and the hearts that foster racism. Council was adjourned 30 minutes late. But it did not end.
We returned that night for Etouffee, Jambalaya, and Gumbo, lots of music, and much southern merry-making. On Sunday we gathered again for Eucharist. This time we were decked out in albs and white stoles. I could not count the deacons, there were 8 vergers, dozens of acolytes and lay ministers, and more than enough priests. Our own Shannon Johnston, bishop-elect of Virginia, preached. Incense once again filled the hall. It was a great way to end a full but fun weekend. I ran into many old friends including Andy Andrews who was at EDS with me, some old school buddies, and a couple who had been at EDS and who turned out to be related to a good friend of mine. I also ran into some who I believe would prefer that I return to Massachusetts and take the other women clergy with me. They were in the smallest minority though and all in all I felt warmly welcomed and appreciated. Harold (the rector of Redeemer) made sure that I had everything I needed and met the people I needed to meet and he misbehaved in church almost as much as Jane G. I keep getting these bosses who get me into trouble!
More to follow…
Affordable Housing Conference
Monday, February 5th, 2007
Last Wednesday I left Biloxi and drove to the Gray Center north of Jackson. It was considerably colder up there. In fact the temperature dropped to 30, but I won’t rub it in…… Oh by the way did I tell you about the camellias? Azaleas are also about to bloom. I believe we will have Easter flowers on Ash Wednesday! But I digress…
As I was saying I went to the Gray Center to attend a conference on affordable housing. The second phase of monetary awards is about to begin and the group that gathered wanted to be sure that the money goes where it is most needed by those who have the least ability to recover. Our targets include those who make about 80% of the average median income or less. Under the present plan 80% of the funding will go to those who make 80%-120% of the AMI. We poured over statistics on rental units, public housing, modular home builders, and much more. I won’t try to recreate the details but the gist of the message is that nonprofit entities, including churches, must come together immediately to advocate for those who are on the margins and still living in FEMA trailers. (That number is about 30,000 as of last week) Our advocacy will be to the governor’s office and the legislature. We will address these and more:
• the 80/20 split of available money making more available to low income,
• the failure of the state to require insurers to provide wind and flood insurance as a prerequisite to doing business in the state,
• the need to include small rental properties
• the need to keep current public housing open and available (cities have given up and are closing the units and the soup kitchens)
• the reliability of the statistical data- this is to be done by asking volunteers to go door to door and survey in the areas hardest hit as to how much of the Phase 1 money was used to reestablish a permanent dwelling and how much went to daily living expenses,
• the extension of the affordable unit requirement when receiving tax credits or Katrina money from the current proposal of 2 years to 10 or more. This will delay low income folks losing their apartment to market rates.
I could go on about this but suffice to say that it was a great conference. We faced many of the same issues that we in MA addressed on Lobby Day. They do not have a Lobby Day here, but Carol and I are considering ways to address that missing cog. I will meet with the group again this week or the next. More to come on these developments.
Last Wednesday I left Biloxi and drove to the Gray Center north of Jackson. It was considerably colder up there. In fact the temperature dropped to 30, but I won’t rub it in…… Oh by the way did I tell you about the camellias? Azaleas are also about to bloom. I believe we will have Easter flowers on Ash Wednesday! But I digress…
As I was saying I went to the Gray Center to attend a conference on affordable housing. The second phase of monetary awards is about to begin and the group that gathered wanted to be sure that the money goes where it is most needed by those who have the least ability to recover. Our targets include those who make about 80% of the average median income or less. Under the present plan 80% of the funding will go to those who make 80%-120% of the AMI. We poured over statistics on rental units, public housing, modular home builders, and much more. I won’t try to recreate the details but the gist of the message is that nonprofit entities, including churches, must come together immediately to advocate for those who are on the margins and still living in FEMA trailers. (That number is about 30,000 as of last week) Our advocacy will be to the governor’s office and the legislature. We will address these and more:
• the 80/20 split of available money making more available to low income,
• the failure of the state to require insurers to provide wind and flood insurance as a prerequisite to doing business in the state,
• the need to include small rental properties
• the need to keep current public housing open and available (cities have given up and are closing the units and the soup kitchens)
• the reliability of the statistical data- this is to be done by asking volunteers to go door to door and survey in the areas hardest hit as to how much of the Phase 1 money was used to reestablish a permanent dwelling and how much went to daily living expenses,
• the extension of the affordable unit requirement when receiving tax credits or Katrina money from the current proposal of 2 years to 10 or more. This will delay low income folks losing their apartment to market rates.
I could go on about this but suffice to say that it was a great conference. We faced many of the same issues that we in MA addressed on Lobby Day. They do not have a Lobby Day here, but Carol and I are considering ways to address that missing cog. I will meet with the group again this week or the next. More to come on these developments.
Beginnings
Saturday, January 27th, 2007
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life,1 and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. John 1:1-5
Nor did the water overcome it. Everywhere I go, as I begin my ministry in Mississippi, I am reminded of the power of God’s Love to overcome the darkest of human tragedy. Make no mistake, there is dire need here. Even those who have found the resources to put their physical homes back together struggle to maintain a sense of hope for the future. Those who have not found those resources, those who wait in FEMA trailers (and there are thousands of trailers), those who are disabled or sick – these folks show the strain and the sadness on their faces and in their voices as they watch for God’s Light to rekindle their hope.
Today was a beautiful day. The sky was clear and the temperature was mild. I am sitting in my home office looking out the window at a single star hanging brightly in the sky. The sun has just about gone. The days are longer here. It is already after 6PM. I have begun to get to know the people. I have been welcomed with a warm hospitality that I know is typical of the South. They are patient with me even when I remind them for the umpteenth time that I do not need nor want to be addressed as “Miss Jane”
I stopped at Walmart yesterday. The cashier was a young, attractive African-American lady who was curious about the white collar around my neck. After I had satisfied her curiosity, our conversation turned to the storm. Having recently heard that State Farm (the largest insurer in the area) had settled with some homeowners to pay 50 cents on the dollar for the damaged homes, I wondered what her reaction would be. I began with “Were you affected by the storm?” She gave me an incredulous look. An elderly Caucasian lady behind me, who turned out to be a Redeemer parishioner, said “That is like asking if we got up this morning…We were all affected by the storm.” There was an uncomfortable silence as the three if us considered my question and then the young cashier looked up and said, “I lost my home and all that was in it. But I am alive and I have a job. I am living in a trailer where my house was until April. Then I will lose my trailer. I am not sure what will happen then.” The elderly lady behind me said, “This is our new Associate Rector from Massachusetts. She is here to help.” At once I felt proud of what we are trying to do here and overcome by the enormity of the task and the difficulties we face in our effort to alleviate such pain. I expressed my concern, offered to keep them both in my prayers, and left the Walmart.
That bright star has almost moved out of sight in the now darkened sky. Clouds are moving in. There will be rain tomorrow. I know that many of my new neighbors will have water in their houses when the blue tarp covering the roof gives way. I pray for them and with them. I am going to Jackson next week to meet with several advocacy groups from the Coast to plan a coordinated approach to the housing needs here. Alone I cannot make a difference, but I with many others can. You are part of those many others. We need your prayers, your financial support, and your time. If you would like to come to work, please let me know. There is lots to be done and my new friends will welcome you with the same warmth as they welcomed me. If you cannot come down, then please consider getting involved with the Task Force work or supporting it with your dollars. Together we will be God’s torches in the darkest of places.
God’s Peace be with you,
Jane+
PS. A federal judge in Gulfport refused the State Farm settlement. I think the judge feels that they should pay more, but the general consensus is that something is better than nothing and there is a great fear that the longer the insurance companies are allowed to hold the money the less likely they will be to pay. More to follow on this…
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life,1 and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. John 1:1-5
Nor did the water overcome it. Everywhere I go, as I begin my ministry in Mississippi, I am reminded of the power of God’s Love to overcome the darkest of human tragedy. Make no mistake, there is dire need here. Even those who have found the resources to put their physical homes back together struggle to maintain a sense of hope for the future. Those who have not found those resources, those who wait in FEMA trailers (and there are thousands of trailers), those who are disabled or sick – these folks show the strain and the sadness on their faces and in their voices as they watch for God’s Light to rekindle their hope.
Today was a beautiful day. The sky was clear and the temperature was mild. I am sitting in my home office looking out the window at a single star hanging brightly in the sky. The sun has just about gone. The days are longer here. It is already after 6PM. I have begun to get to know the people. I have been welcomed with a warm hospitality that I know is typical of the South. They are patient with me even when I remind them for the umpteenth time that I do not need nor want to be addressed as “Miss Jane”
I stopped at Walmart yesterday. The cashier was a young, attractive African-American lady who was curious about the white collar around my neck. After I had satisfied her curiosity, our conversation turned to the storm. Having recently heard that State Farm (the largest insurer in the area) had settled with some homeowners to pay 50 cents on the dollar for the damaged homes, I wondered what her reaction would be. I began with “Were you affected by the storm?” She gave me an incredulous look. An elderly Caucasian lady behind me, who turned out to be a Redeemer parishioner, said “That is like asking if we got up this morning…We were all affected by the storm.” There was an uncomfortable silence as the three if us considered my question and then the young cashier looked up and said, “I lost my home and all that was in it. But I am alive and I have a job. I am living in a trailer where my house was until April. Then I will lose my trailer. I am not sure what will happen then.” The elderly lady behind me said, “This is our new Associate Rector from Massachusetts. She is here to help.” At once I felt proud of what we are trying to do here and overcome by the enormity of the task and the difficulties we face in our effort to alleviate such pain. I expressed my concern, offered to keep them both in my prayers, and left the Walmart.
That bright star has almost moved out of sight in the now darkened sky. Clouds are moving in. There will be rain tomorrow. I know that many of my new neighbors will have water in their houses when the blue tarp covering the roof gives way. I pray for them and with them. I am going to Jackson next week to meet with several advocacy groups from the Coast to plan a coordinated approach to the housing needs here. Alone I cannot make a difference, but I with many others can. You are part of those many others. We need your prayers, your financial support, and your time. If you would like to come to work, please let me know. There is lots to be done and my new friends will welcome you with the same warmth as they welcomed me. If you cannot come down, then please consider getting involved with the Task Force work or supporting it with your dollars. Together we will be God’s torches in the darkest of places.
God’s Peace be with you,
Jane+
PS. A federal judge in Gulfport refused the State Farm settlement. I think the judge feels that they should pay more, but the general consensus is that something is better than nothing and there is a great fear that the longer the insurance companies are allowed to hold the money the less likely they will be to pay. More to follow on this…
Arrival
Friday, January 19th, 2007
My sister Anne and I (and Miss Kitty who had tried unsuccessfully to escape at a Starbucks in Atlanta) arrived in Biloxi on Wednesday night. Once we had opened the house and gotten the water turned on, we climbed back in the car and drove to Shreveport, LA - Anne’s home. I returned to Biloxi today (Friday). My “stuff” is in the driveway waiting to be unloaded tomorrow. Horror of horrors - I have NO TV as yet. What’s more Annual Meeting is after church on Sunday! No one seems worried because they will be home in time for the Saints game. They just do not understand my needs! At least it is not opening day at Fenway that I will miss. If anyone is willing to textmessage the score please do so!
On Thursday AM I met some of the local clergy. It is a lively group. I am looking forward to working with them. There is an Hispanic priest (woman) who is associated with Redeemer. I have not met her, but I am excited about the possibility of nurturing a neighborhood congregation that can be more welcoming to the Spanish speaking members.
I will refrain from recounting the experience of having a roach fall out of my face towel in the motel - but it wasn’t pleasant. Where’s Otto the Orkin man when you need him?
Jane
PS Email is most appreciated…. My email account at gmail.com is janebbearden. (I’m writing my email address this way to try to avoid some of the spammers….)
My sister Anne and I (and Miss Kitty who had tried unsuccessfully to escape at a Starbucks in Atlanta) arrived in Biloxi on Wednesday night. Once we had opened the house and gotten the water turned on, we climbed back in the car and drove to Shreveport, LA - Anne’s home. I returned to Biloxi today (Friday). My “stuff” is in the driveway waiting to be unloaded tomorrow. Horror of horrors - I have NO TV as yet. What’s more Annual Meeting is after church on Sunday! No one seems worried because they will be home in time for the Saints game. They just do not understand my needs! At least it is not opening day at Fenway that I will miss. If anyone is willing to textmessage the score please do so!
On Thursday AM I met some of the local clergy. It is a lively group. I am looking forward to working with them. There is an Hispanic priest (woman) who is associated with Redeemer. I have not met her, but I am excited about the possibility of nurturing a neighborhood congregation that can be more welcoming to the Spanish speaking members.
I will refrain from recounting the experience of having a roach fall out of my face towel in the motel - but it wasn’t pleasant. Where’s Otto the Orkin man when you need him?
Jane
PS Email is most appreciated…. My email account at gmail.com is janebbearden. (I’m writing my email address this way to try to avoid some of the spammers….)
On The Road
Tuesday, January 16th, 2007
Hello from Anderson, South Carolina. My sister Anne, Miss Kitty (my cat), and I have been winding our way down the East Coast through some ice, lots of rain and fog, and clouds. Today we made better time. The junior warden from Redeemer called me today to let me know that ice and snow was predicted for Biloxi on Wednesday. It seems that I will be the only car on the road equipped with a snow shovel.
On Sunday afternoon Trinity Topsfield hosted the most amazing Evensong I could have imagined. Everyone who attended has said what a beautiful service it was. I cannot find enough superlatives to express my feelings. I was absolutely overwhelmed. There were people there from all over the diocese. I want to express my appreciation to Bishop Bud and the task force members who have supported me in raising money, organizing, and making the dream a reality. You have my thanks and my commitment to pour my heart and my mind into our work. Bishop Bud charged me to take to heart Jesus’ instruction to Peter to “feed my sheep”. My response is, “with the strength and the grace of God to sustain me, I will”.
We received an email from a parish in Sulfur, LA today. They were hit hard by Hurricane Rita. Both parishes have prayed for each other as both have been on the road for recovery. The youth group in Sulfur is putting together a photo album of before and after stories. Now they want to add the recovery photos. As I work with our youth group I will try to make the photos available to our blog.
I should arrive in Biloxi tomorrow.
Hello from Anderson, South Carolina. My sister Anne, Miss Kitty (my cat), and I have been winding our way down the East Coast through some ice, lots of rain and fog, and clouds. Today we made better time. The junior warden from Redeemer called me today to let me know that ice and snow was predicted for Biloxi on Wednesday. It seems that I will be the only car on the road equipped with a snow shovel.
On Sunday afternoon Trinity Topsfield hosted the most amazing Evensong I could have imagined. Everyone who attended has said what a beautiful service it was. I cannot find enough superlatives to express my feelings. I was absolutely overwhelmed. There were people there from all over the diocese. I want to express my appreciation to Bishop Bud and the task force members who have supported me in raising money, organizing, and making the dream a reality. You have my thanks and my commitment to pour my heart and my mind into our work. Bishop Bud charged me to take to heart Jesus’ instruction to Peter to “feed my sheep”. My response is, “with the strength and the grace of God to sustain me, I will”.
We received an email from a parish in Sulfur, LA today. They were hit hard by Hurricane Rita. Both parishes have prayed for each other as both have been on the road for recovery. The youth group in Sulfur is putting together a photo album of before and after stories. Now they want to add the recovery photos. As I work with our youth group I will try to make the photos available to our blog.
I should arrive in Biloxi tomorrow.
New Blog Site
This is the new site for Jane Bearden's blog about her ministry as the Priest-in-Residence in Biloxi Mississippi and the greater Gulf Coast region.
Jane's previous postings from the original gracebook.org site will be copied here shortly...
Jane's previous postings from the original gracebook.org site will be copied here shortly...
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