The letter below was written by the Rev. Fred Lindstrom (Greenville, Alabama) to the Right Rev. Philip Duncan, Bishop of the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast.
Greenville and the people of St. Thomas Church are being proactive in the crisis following Hurricane Katrina. As Chaplain to Law Enforcement, I have helped developed a Response Plan which addresses all key areas: food, shelter, communications, information, financial donations, fuel, supplies, education, and volunteers. Our city budget includes a hurricane expenses item.
As of September 1st, there were 500 evacuees here in Greenville. Eleven displaced students have enrolled in our schools and one displaced teacher has been hired.
We have learned that churches trying to do good on their own without coordination is not effective. I urge the other clergy in the diocese to be in contact with their local Department of Human Resources (DHR) and Red Cross Offices. They are the folks on the front lines. I also urge them to stop by the distribution centers and be there for pastoral contact which I have found is crucial.
A community also needs to understand its limits. Larger cities have the resources to provide long-term help. Smaller communities are limited. They can provide short-term assistance to help people move on to long-term help. Perhaps, as here, some will fall in love with the small city and decide to call it home, find permanent housing and jobs, but others need to move on. Dependency is not what a help effort needs to foster. Independence and a new beginning is the key.
In Butler County, all displaced people must contact the Police or Sheriff’s Dept. and be authorized to receive food, fuel or lodging from the Ministerial Association. Registering with the local authorities ensures that both the displaced person and those providing relief services are protected.
What needs to be remembered is that help for help's sake is not good. The right kind of help is what is needed.
Thank you for your support, Your Grace. It is greatly appreciated.
In Christ,
The Rev. Fred Lindstrom
Rector, St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Greenville, Alabama
