Fox Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship & Community Church Unitarian Universalist |
How the Connection Between Fox Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship & Community Church Unitarian Universalist Was Made
On August 29,2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall at New Orleans causing massive destruction when levees were over-topped and four levees breached. Located just three blocks from the 17th Street Levee breach, the Community Church New Orleans building was damaged beyond repair.
In the following days we all heard about the hurricane, watched its aftermath unfold, and felt a need to do something for the people in Louisiana.
Roger contacted the UUA, and found out some congregations in New Orleans were looking for partner churches. Roger knew we would be a great fit to be a partner church. We had good experience as a partner church with Deva, and Roger was confident our members would want to make this long-term commitment again. As other churches around the country volunteered to partner with Community Church, we became a managing partner church, helping these other congregations to develop their work and connection to Community Church.
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Brief Background
Aftermath of Storm & Levee Breeches
Where Community Church members are now
Community Church Transitioning
What We Do as a Fellowship
What We Can Do as Individuals
Link to Photo Gallery
- Cleanup of Church Grounds, Feb. 2006
Link to Photo Gallery 2 - Partner Church Weekend
Link to Photo Gallery 3 - Inside Two Community Church Members' Homes
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Community Church's Home Page
Photo Gallery of Community Church, Aftermath
Photo Gallery of Community Church, After the Water left
Photo Gallery of the Ninth Ward, Seven Months after the Flood
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Brief Background |
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Community Church, Unitarian Universalist, New Orleans, Louisiana (NOLA) was formed in 1969. The Rev. James (“Jim”) VanderWeele began his ministry with Community Church in 2002. The church met in several locations before finding a permanent home and constructing it’s present building in 1973.
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The building is located in the Lakeview community of the northwest area of the City of New Orleans, in Orleans Parish---three blocks from the 17th St Levee breach.
(Click on image for full size map)
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Aftermath of Storm & Levee Breaches |
Sentiments Expressed At Post-Katrina Community Church Unitarian Universalist Congregational Meetings
“We are a congregation of rational humanists; we are a friendly and caring congregation and our support and love for each other have been very important during this crisis; we hope to continue as an independent congregation, and we want to explore all possible ways to cooperate and coordinate with First Church, NO in a mutually beneficial and supportive relationship; we need to become more visible, by marketing and by being active in the community; we need a program for children.”
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“We have discussed ways to advocate for affordable housing in the city, and that this is a place where we can make a difference.“
“A large number of Community Church members are planning to train to be election commissioners, to make the elections possible.”
“... I felt like a plant violently torn from its roots, and contact with the church was a major stabilizing factor in my life.”
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Damage Assessment Map
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Where Community Church Members Are Now |
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Prior to Katrina, Community Church had 96 members and 35 friends of the congregation.
The best estimate (as of May 2006) is that 56 members are in the area and three more may be able to return within the year. Of the 56, age and health problems may prevent four from participating in church programs. Community Church also has 14 friends, 9 of whom are in the area.
Several of the members are living in trailers or upstairs in damaged homes. The average age of the congregation has increased significantly, as the families with young children have had to relocate to find jobs and schools.
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Community Church Unitarian Universalist Transitioning |
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In February, Community Church members cleaned up their grounds and planted flowers as a sign of hope.
Those members and friends who have returned are working.
A significant number of members who had retired pre-Katrina are volunteering in various ways, contributing to the rebuilding of our lives and our community.
Since early November '05, Community Church and First Church, NO have been holding joint Sunday services at Jefferson Presbyterian Church, in neighboring Jefferson Parish.
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A merger with First Church, New Orleans, is being explored.
Community Church leased office space in the World Trade Center, in a central business district office tower, N.O. for 6 months.
The City celebrated Mardi Gras with fewer, smaller parades than usual; participants dressed as levee inspectors, houses with FEMA tarps on roofs,and chocolates had a marvelous day.
Community Church Spokesperson Suzy Mague commenting on the New Orleans newspaper story:
"The Times Picayune headline this morning is 3 inches tall - two lines of 1.5 inch letters: 'FINALLY, RULES FOR REBUILDING'. The long awaited FEMA flood maps have finally been released, which means people can now evaluate their options and begin to make decisions. They have left the flood plain elevations at their 1984 levels; according to the TP, that is an acknowledgement that the flooding was caused by levee and canal wall breaches, rather than the storm."
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What We Do as a Fellowship |
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We have sent Target Gift Cards, will raise funds, worked with Roger to have lay ministers available, track the progress of N.O., keep the Fellowship updated through displays and newsletters, shared stories, well wishes, and Mardi Gras celebration with them.
As managing partner, we facilitate communication between Community Church and the other partner churches; helped each partner church establish their own committee, set up online Forum where people can talk to each other directly, stay in close contact with Community Church needs and help that may be out there.
Partner Churches: Pacific Grove in Palos Verdes, CA;
West Hartford Universalist Church, CT;
UU Church of Montclair, NJ
Other Interested Churches: Community Church of New York City
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What We Can Do As Individuals |
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Contact your elected officials at www.firstgov.gov (it’s easy & quick!).
Rev. Jim VanderWeele’ has requested we stay informed about N.O. news. Join the Community Church Email List at www.focol.org/fvuuf/ to receive email news bites about progress in New Orleans.
Go to www.focol.org/fvuuf/, FVUUForums, join the Community Church Forum, and get to know Community Church members.
Check the Display Board in our FVUUF Lobby for notice of current and future Community Church needs as they emerge.
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Map of One Recovery Plan: 
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