Archive for the 'New Orleans' Category

Betting on Helping New Orleans

Published January 4, 2008 in ECUSA and New Orleans. 0 Comments

This story is from the NOLA Times-Picayune. It reminds everyone of the good work still being done by the church in New Orleans.

Heavens! Bishops taking game bets

But proceeds to go to Katrina relief
Friday, January 04, 2008
By Bruce Nolan
The Good Book states the battle is not always to the strong, nor the race always to the swift, but dubious Episcopal bishops in Louisiana and Ohio nonetheless are betting on the power and speed of their opposing Tigers and Buckeyes, inviting their flocks to join in — and promising the proceeds to Hurricane Katrina relief.

That said, there isn’t much smack talk involved — not yet at least, these being Episcopalian clergy.

But there is a promise by Bishop Thomas Breidenthal to put up $250 for every Ohio State touchdown and $100 for every Buckeye field goal in Monday’s Bowl Championship Series game. He is inviting more than 25,000 Episcopalians in his Diocese of Southern Ohio to make similar pledges.

Breidenthal’s call went out Sunday to 82 Episcopal congregations, including those in Columbus, Ohio State’s hometown. Diocesan spokeswoman Richelle Thompson said the invitation likely will be widened in the next few days to target Buckeye Episcopalians wherever they might be found.

In response, Bishop Charles Jenkins of the Diocese of Louisiana has called on Tiger fans to pledge similar dollars for LSU points. That announcement will go out from 54 Episcopal pulpits Sunday, the day before the game, but the call to ante up pledges against Ohio State is posted on the Louisiana diocese Web site now.

The bishops said all the money will go to Katrina relief administered by Jenkins’ diocese in southeastern Louisiana. The Louisiana diocese raises money for Bundles of Hope, with donation levels of $20 to $1,000 that buy goods and relief services in metropolitan New Orleans.

Breidenthal is new to Ohio. His biography suggests a cerebral churchman who last served as a chaplain at Princeton and before that as a seminary professor in New York.

“St. Paul tells us we are called to outdo each other in doing good,” he said. “Competition is sanctified when it does good things for communities and brings people together.”

In truth, though, the idea for the challenge came from a Breidenthal aide “who’s a big Buckeye fan,” Thompson said.

“Clearly, the Buckeyes are going to win. This is just going to make it a little easier for Louisiana to bear,” she said. “If you want smack, we’ll just leave it at that.”

Jenkins, a Louisiana native whose wife, Louise, once taught agronomy at LSU, said he willingly took the bet.

“I am concerned Buckeye fans won’t have to buy very many Bundles of Hope,” the Louisiana bishop said. “We know they will have a hard time scoring any points against our Tiger defense.”

. . . . . . .

The Diocese of Louisiana Web site is www.edola.org. The Diocese of Southern Ohio Web site is www.episcopal-dso.org.

Bruce Nolan can be reached at bnolan@timespicayune.com or (504) 826-3344.

‘2 Years On’ and who can stand it?

Published August 27, 2007 in New Orleans. 0 Comments

I spoke to a friend in New Orleans this afternoon who left work early to go home and drink. She was so overwhelmed and depressed by the relentless “2 Years On” footage and anger she couldn’t function anymore.

What are we remembering by watching the footage, the trauma of that time? When a loved one passes away do we remember them by watching tapes of their bypass surgery? Or, do we watch video of the beautiful times? Photos of them healthy and alive, the way they would want to be remembered.

For me, I remember the strangest most exotic sensation of sitting in the French Quarter watching the tops of the cruise ships glide by. Because, lest we should forget, the city is 20 feet below sea level you actually have to walk up a few flight of stairs to see the Mississippi River. Once you are up on the River Walk there is usually a solo sax player and if you look to the right, the Crescent City Connection is lit up and there might even be a breeze along the river.

Just remembering you today, New Orleans.

Dated perceptions don’t just plague Africa

Published August 7, 2007 in Africa, New Orleans, Relief & Development and Social Justice. 0 Comments

In this article from the Washington Post online Ms.Uzodinma Iwela writes from an African’s perspective on the disdainful idea that the West wants to “Save Africa.” It is an important reminder to us who have a “heart for Africa” (as people say) that we are reminded that Africa is full of real people living daily lives.

But, I would say to Ms. Iwela that this simplified perception of Africa is no different than other causes that make its way through the glamour pages of popular culture and society. The media perception that develops is often completely disconnected from the reality, but it is the perception that sticks and somehow moves people more effectively than the reality.

Another excellent case in point: New Orleans. The city continues to struggle to come out from under a persistent perception of decay and racism, particularly since Katrina. But many of us know of the bridges that have been built across ecumenical and racial lines since the storm, which would have never happened before.

There have been many people who have looked at me, shrugged their shoulders and asked, “But why should we rebuild New Orleans? It’s just going to flood again.”

“Well,” I normally respond, “The New Orleanians will rebuild New Orleans because it’s their home and they love it. They will come back. They will rebuild.” And so they are.

Others say that it’s not the role of the federal government to rebuild New Orleans. And, I say, that’s good because the checks that the federal government have sent are sitting in Baton Rouge because the legislation doesn’t know how to begin to spend the money.

So, the recovery in New Orleans is happening by New Orleanians. And, volunteers from across the country, mainly through their churches, who come and help out. I have seen sweaty college students with dust masks and sawzalls take three houses down to the studs in one day.

The contents of the house is then tossed into a 15 foot pile on the curb, and most of those piles are still sitting there because there is no one to pick it up. And, so it goes.

The people of New Orleans - and many other cities around the world for that matter - are fighting against the same frustrations that Ms. Iweala has voiced. Unfortunately, the true poverty of the situation is the people working in refugee camps in Nigeria or the relief centers in New Orleans are dependent on the help the “outside” world can give them and resign themselves to the continued misperception and true misunderstanding of their situation.

The local workers roll their eyes, accept the aid, and wave as the planes fly away with the generous donors so they can all get back to work.

“Those People” in New Orleans

Published March 6, 2007 in Christian, ECUSA, Mission, New Orleans and Social Justice. 0 Comments

The Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana gathered for their annual convention last weekend. I have attached Bishop Jenkins’ sermon which speaks candidly about the identity crisis of many in New Orleans since the storm. And, the renewed mission that has come out of tragedy.

One of the sections that stood out to me was Bishop Jenkins’ explanation as to why he is committed to staying in the Episcopal Church:

I call upon you and this Diocese to display toughness (not meanness, insensitivity or stubbornness) and a persistence that speaks of our true nature as partakers of the divine nature. I am weary of the tactic of who is the most injured. It reminds me of a game show my mother used to watch on our black and white television set. It was called “Queen for a Day.” Whoever told the most heart-wrenching story won a wringer washing machine. Do you remember it? I would love to have the applause-o-meter (I remember watching that meter ascend and descend as the studio audience applauded the saddest sob story) that determined the winner! What is the place of emotional sensitivity in our discernment of God’s will? A Thomist will note that the heart, as the seat of emotion, is not to be trusted. A Jesuit would counsel that private perception needs be tested in community. Even we test an individual’s perception of vocation in the local and diocesan community.

(Via The Bishop’s Blog)

“Bundles of Hope” - Help New Orleans & Louisiana

Published December 10, 2006 in ECUSA, New Orleans, Relief & Development and Social Justice. 0 Comments

The Bundles of Hope program is a great way to help folks who are still affected by Katrina and her aftermath. I am once again helping out the Communications office of EDOLA (by LOOOOOONG distance) and this is very important to us. If you can help, please check out this link.

Bishop Charles Jenkins and the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana are pleased to announce “Bundles of Hope,” an alternative gift giving program this Christmas season.

Give the gift of hope this Christmas to many still in need in New Orleans. Honor family and friends this season and help the diocese in its rebuilding efforts at the same time.

Bundles come in all sizes, from $10 for School Supplies up to $500 for Volunteer Support. Simply purchase one online, or mail in a check, and print out your honor card to mail to friends and family. It’s that simple!

Merry Christmas New Orleans

Published December 5, 2006 in Culture and New Orleans. 0 Comments

Merry Christmas New Orleans

Once again, Studio 60 delivers a great show. This time Matthew Perry’s character is “a Jew and the only one who cares that its Christmas” (paraphrase) and insists on putting on a Christmas show. The finale is a group of NOLA musicians playing Oh Holy Night while images of the City are on the screen at behind them. Wonderful.

From their site:

The 12/4 episode featured musicians benefitting from The Tipitina’s Foundation. For more on how to help those displaced by Hurricane Katrina, click http://www.tipitinasfoundation.org/.

(Via Targuman.)

More notes from New Orleans

Published October 25, 2006 in ECUSA, New Orleans and Relief & Development. 0 Comments

After Katrina hit in August 2005 I joined the Episcopal diocese of Louisiana’s staff as Director of Public Relations. It was great to roll up my sleeves and contribute in such an exciting way.

We have since moved to Pennsylvania, but the good people there continue the hard work of recovery. The latest reflection comes from a former colleague, Dennis McManis who was interviewed by the Disaster News Network, the link is here.

On a personal note, I am realizing the many things I left undone last year because we were so taken with the storm and recovery. Even though we weren’t directly affected (we didn’t lose our home or jobs) we were very involved. I realized the other day that I didn’t really read last year for pleasure, it was too hard to concentrate. I wrote a lot for the diocese but not creatively. I kept up my journaling, but the entries are much shorter and factual, not reflective. I realize that my process is a luxury compared to those who were directly affected, but it is interesting to note that everyone was affected to some degree by living through the experience.

Katrina recovery from the front lines

Published October 23, 2006 in Christian, ECUSA, New Orleans and Relief & Development. 0 Comments

The Episcopal Bishop of Louisiana, for whom I happily worked last year as his Press Officer before relocating to Pennyslvania, is on the front lines of fundraising for Katrina recovery. Check out his blog http://edola-bishop.blogspot.com/where he reflects honestly on the frustration of people not deeming the recovery work in Louisiana “worthy” of financial support.

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