First Unitarian Universalist Church of New Orleans

Deciding to become a Partner Church to First UU Church of New Orleans is to understand that the work of recovery from last summer’s hurricanes and flooding will take several years to complete. Once that reality is accepted and absorbed the process of becoming a Partner Church can be honestly undertaken. The decision to become a Partner Church does not require a monetary donation or fundraising, although both are welcomed (i.e. either raising funds or providing grant writers)! What it does require is a commitment to “walk with us” for several years and to be creative in how you “walk”! Our situation is unprecedented and will require much thought “outside of the traditional boxes”.
     First Church faces a major undertaking, but we have been inspired and spurred forward by the love, support, creativity and willingness of our Partner Churches (PC). Many projects have been undertaken--from projects as “small” as fifth-graders baking cookies for us to as large as fundraising in large sums--and more will appear along the way.
     Our newest project, funded by the UUA/UUSC Hurricane Relief Fund, is the creation of the UU Volunteer Center in our church building, where folks from our PC’s (and other churches) who come to New Orleans to work can be housed while working either in the church building or in the larger community. In the process, work is completed and the volunteers get to know each other and UUs from other churches.
     It is our heartfelt hope that you will consider joining our growing family of churches as we seek to build/re-build the first truly continental Unitarian Universalist church, brought back to life by the hands and hearts of UUs from across the country.

In faith,

Rev. Marta

PARTNER CHURCHES
Click on the church names below to visit their websites.

PROJECTS

Fundraising (even the young ones)
Saving our archive
Providing grant writers
Buying new folding chairs
Fundraising (even the young ones)
Restoring our damaged portraits
Sending volunteers both youth and adults
Sending choirs to sing with
Providing a landscaper/architect
Handmade several stoles
Sponsored a visit from Rev. Valentín to their church
Backpacks for the kids
New hymnals
"Katreats" for some of the leaders/ hardworkers in your congregation.

VOLUNTEER MESSAGES

From: Nathan Ryan <nathantheuu@yahoo.com>
Subject: [Reach-l] CoA Trip Idea, maybe?
To: Discussion and sharing of UU Religious Education <reach-l@lists.uua.org>

REACHers,

Although I serve a church in Austin, TX, I am originally from Slidell and the greater New Orleans area. On this very heart-felt and painful anniversary, I wanted to offer a few words of advocacy for New Orleans and the larger gulf coast.

At the beginning of August, I took a group of youth from my church to New Orleans. It was wonderful! In only three days, we:

* helped rebuild a community center

* volunteered at a back-to-school event for under-privileged kids

* participated in a discussion of the racial and economic implications of Katrina

* took a tour of the hardest hit parts of the city

* cleaned out and planted native plants in bayou St. John to help prevent erosion of City Park's only bayou

* raised $1200 for a non-profit rebuilding group

We stayed on the 2nd story of First Unitarian Universalist Church. There were plenty of air mattresses and cots, clean running (but no hot) water, wireless internet and A/C.

While all of the relief work was planned for us, we were responsible for food (there is a working kitchen at 1st church) and evening activities. Because so much of New Orleans economy is reliant on tourism, we spent off time going into the city for various reasons: to see Romeo & Juliet, to watch a baseball game, eating at some of the local restaurants.

Today is the deadlines for residents who haven't done so to sign up to have their house gutted. Not doing so could result in the city seizing their land. Having your house gutted is essential for moving back and costs, on average, $1 per square foot. If residents want their houses gutted by a non-profit group, the waiting list is at least 5 months. One of the major tasks volunteers do is house gutting. Every house that volunteers gut makes it able for another family to return home.

To make reservations or to ask questions about bringing a group of youth/adults, contact uukatrina@bellsouth.net.

This city is very close to my heart, and it means the world to me to hear about and see the hard work Unitarian Universalists from all over the country have done.

Warmly,

Nathan A. Ryan
Director of Religious Education
Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Church Austin , TX
(512)219-9008 ext 17