Katrina – Four Years Later 

            August 29, 2009 was the fourth anniversary of Katrina, the hurricane that hit the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 2005. We cannot begin to give enough thanks to all of the ones that helped us survive during these four years through prayers, volunteers and donations (financial & material). You name it; we got it.
            We moved back into our church (without a Fellowship Hall) in April 2008. Our food pantry for the homeless and needy families opened in May and has now expanded under the auspices of the Seashore Mission and received USDA approval and is housed in the Annex (the church’s former office). This allows food to be received from USDA and Twelve Baskets at reduced prices.
            Wesley Academy, our preschool, never missed a beat. Through a grant from Mississippi State University, everything we needed was furnished including school supplies, computers, all equipment and a brand new playground complete with a jungle gym, sand box and tricycle barn with tricycles. Graduation was held in May 2009 for six students who will transition to Kindergarten. Presently, 16 students are enrolled in the academy, and the staff includes two teachers, one substitute and one music director. 
             On May 18, Heritage Sunday and the Recognition of Graduates were held for five high school graduates with a potluck that followed. This was the first time that we ever used the back of the sanctuary as a fellowship hall. Food was on tables in the hallway and once the plates were served, the tables and chairs for seating were arranged in the back and in the Narthex so everyone could get comfortable. Everything was close by, and the desserts were set up in the Adult Sunday School room.
             In July, 2008 we received 150 chairs for the sanctuary. They were donated to us by the Tennessee Conference of the United Methodist Church in Nashville. These chairs replaced our mismatched chairs we had been using. And for the first time since Katrina Vacation Bible School was held without any outside help. The theme was “Friendship Trek”, and there were 35 children in attendance.
             We continued our long-standing special worship services: the Blessing of the Bookbags, the Presentation of Bibles to students entering the third grade, All Saints Sunday, and special programs during the Advent Season with two Christmas Eve worship services.
              We also continued our time of fellowship with the Welcome Back Pastor potluck. The church sponsored Casual Sunday, the United Methodist Women’s Membership Tea, and the Welcome New Members lunch at China Star. Not to be forgotten are the yard sales (three during the year) hosted by our beloved Esther Circle.
               In November 2008, after the Sacrament of Holy Baptism of an infant, we reaffirmed our Baptism, Remember your Baptism and be Thankful, as we dipped our fingers in the Baptismal bowl on our way to take Communion.
               During 2008, we had 12 new members join the church, 8 members to die and 2 members transferred out of the area.
               In January, 2009, Pastor Rod and his wife, Dorothy were invited to preach and tell our Katrina story at the Woodlawn United Methodist Church in Derby, Kansas.
               2009 has been a year of change for us. We have a new minister of music and accompanist. The governing body of the church has been realigned in concurrence with the United Methodist Discipline. It has been renamed Administrative Council instead of the Stewards. Two new committees are also now working to fulfill their duties and responsibilities: the committee on finance and the board of trustees.
            As the Lenten Season began, we celebrated Ash Wednesday through the imposition of ashes, and we had reverse Advent services for each Sunday in Lent which meant the extinguishing of a candle rather than the lighting of one. Then we had our traditional Easter Sunrise service on the beach.
            We learned that Pastor Rod was being transferred and that we would have an interim pastor, Rev. Clint Gill, for six weeks. In June, Pastor Rod was assigned to his home town church in Long Beach, Mississippi and Dr. Denise Donnell was assigned to us. On May 3rd, we had our Farewell Reception for Pastor Rod and his family and on July 28th, a Welcome potluck for Dr. Donnell.
             Dr. Denise Donnell was born and reared in Jackson, Mississippi. A product of the Jackson Public School District,     she graduated Murrah High School in May 1990. Subsequently, she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Jackson State University (1994), a Master of Arts degree in Secondary Education from the University of Mississippi (1996), a Master of Divinity degree from Perkins School of Theology on the campus of Southern Methodist University (2003), and a Doctor of Philosophy in Education Administration and Supervision (2008) also from Jackson State University.
            Denise is the youngest of three children born to Mr. L V and Mrs. Brenda Donnell.  Dr. Derrick Donnell, her older brother, is a principal in the Lee County School District in Cape Coral, Florida. He also serves the city as the first African-American elected to its council. The middle child, Dwayne Donnell, is the head coach of the girls’ varsity basketball team at Dunbar High School in Fort Myers, Florida. 
            Whenever she can find the time, Denise enjoys reading strictly for enjoyment, jogging, singing, dancing, practicing American Sign Language.    
            The former pastor of Revels Memorial United Methodist Church in Greenville, Mississippi, Denise was appointed as pastor to Mississippi City United Methodist Church in Gulfport on June 28, 2009.
            In July, the pastor began to make home visits to some of our shut-ins and others by request.
            In August, the church hosted its Casual Sunday potluck and the Blessing of the Bookbags. A prayer group was formed to pray for and contact those on the prayer list. A reaffirmation of baptism for the congregation was available after the Sacrament of Baptism for an infant. Our stewardship campaign began on August 23rd and will end September 27th. On August 29th, volunteers from the church helped package meals for hungry children at Camp Love on the campus of Nugent UMC.
            Dr. Donnell started a new members’ class for the four members who have joined the church thus far this year. “Covered”, special worship service, was held September 13th in support of our sisters and brothers who struggle daily in the battle against cancer. Katrina Work Days are planned for September 21st – 23rd when Bishop Hope Morgan Ward and her cabinet will be here to continue the work of recovery from Hurricane Katrina. Again, many thanks to all!!
            Our Pipe Organ is in the process of being installed. It was donated to us by the Baltimore-Washington Area Conference. We have established a Fellowship Hall Fund with donations to move even further toward complete recovery.
            We know that God has been with us and will continue to guide us as we move forward in our faith. Scars still linger, but day by day they are slowly disappearing. Thanks be to God.