CHURCHES SUPPORTING CHURCHES
OUTLINE FOR RESPONSE TO KATRINA

Churches Supporting Churches (CSC) is a comprehensive strategy to assist at least 36 African America congregations in twelve areas of New Orleans where Katrina destroyed or seriously damaged their facilities to "Restart, Reopen, Repair or Rebuild the Churches” in order for them to become “Agents for Community Development” in a comprehensive way. The strategy is designed to go beyond food and shelter issues and focus on expanding the capacity of these congregations to rebuild their communities. Churches Supporting Churches is concerned about the total Gulf Coast area. The New Orleans project is seen as the beginning and a model for work in other areas of Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. The CSC includes the Bishop for Louisiana and Mississippi of the African Methodist Episcopal Church; the American Friends Service Committee; the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America; the Church of the Brethren; Every Church a Peace Church; the Mennonite Church USA; the National Council of Churches; Presbyterian Church-USA; and the Progressive National Baptist Convention. Episcopal and United Methodist churches are also involved. The three-fold initial strategy included first, to strengthen the health and unity of the pastors, spouses and members as they try to return to New Orleans. The first meetings beginning in October, 2005, focused on helping pastors and their families process their own losses in relation to the trauma and destruction of their churches and homes. This was preparation for them to be able to help their members deal with the reality as they return to rebuild their lives. Since then, monthly 1 ½ day Pastors' Institutes have both conducted CSC business and dedicated at least two half-day sessions for education in relation to Capacity Building, Advocacy and Community Re-Development skills and strategies. Second, the strategy is to rebuild the bricks and mortar and spiritual life of these congregations and to make the pastors and their members socially active agents for meeting present and returning peoples' human needs in each community, touching all areas of Community Development. This aspect of the project is designed to partner the initial 36 congregations in New Orleans with 360 local congregations nationally on a ten to one ratio over the next several years to accomplish this goal. The national congregations will also be equipped with Capacity Building, Advocacy and Community Development skills and strategies. Third, the strategy extends and expands the capacity of the historical role of the African American Church as the key agent for community. John Diiulio's research has established that almost 75% of black, urban churches engage in significant community outreach programs, contributing billions of dollars per year to the "social capital" of America's cities through a myriad of programs, from after-school and mentoring programs to affordable housing projects. Central to Diiulio's research is the notion that black churches support their members and their communities in time of trauma and dislocation, a fact borne out by the nation's post-Katrina experience, where we have witnessed the largest "transfer of capital" in black church history, as churches from around the nation came to the aid of their sisters and brothers in the Gulf region. Churches Supporting Churches is seeking 360 partnering/adopting congregations across the country. Contact information for becoming further involved and/or for making a donation, is below. Contributions can be sent to: Churches Supporting Churches 1700 Conti Street New Orleans, LA 70112-3606 For more information contact: Reverend Dwight Webster, President and National Project Director (CEO) (504) 915-4987 cubc89@bellsouth.net Reverend Donald Boutte, Executive Director (COO) 504-931-5689 dpbtte@yahoo.com Rev. Charles Duplessis, Chair, Board of Directors (504) 943-6326 cduplessis@bellsouth.net Dr. CT Vivian, National Working Group Chair 404-505-8521 Fax 404-505-0472 dvmorse@bellsouth.net ctv@comcast.net David C. Jehnsen, National Working Group Vice Chair and Board Treasurer 740-965-5118 Fax 740-965-6793 ihrr@columbus.rr.com Reverend Aldon Cotton, Area Coordinator and Board Member 504-931-5689 ACE62268@aol.com