Katrina Anniversary Reunion
July 29, 2015
Dear Friends,
We are approaching the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina which brought so much devastation to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. But in the wake of the destruction there came a wave of compassion and caring that brought thousands of volunteers who helped the people of the Gulf Coast begin to recover and rebuild.
This summer, on August 22-23, St. Paul United Methodist Church in Ocean Springs, MS is hosting a 10 Year Katrina Observance to remember and give thanks for those volunteers who came to the Gulf Coast. Many of these disaster relief volunteers were housed at St. Paul or flowed through St. Paul on their way to worksites. We are inviting all who helped with the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts to be our guest at a 10 year reunion.
This event will be held at St. Paul United Methodist Church, East Campus located at the intersection of Highways 57 and 90 in east Ocean Springs, Mississippi.
Some of the activities planned include:
- Saturday, August 22: Lunch with a presentation by Kathleen Koch, who will share her experiences as a CNN reporter in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Koch, a Native of Bay St. Louis, MS authored, Rising from Katrina: How My Mississippi Hometown Lost It All and Found What Mattered. Also present will be Ocean Springs Mayor (both then and currently serving) Connie Moran.
- Saturday Afternoon: Tours to the neighborhoods and places that were served by disaster response volunteers. We will be able to see how the Gulf Coast has rebuilt in the last 10 years.
- Saturday Evening: Seashore District worship service that will include stories of God’s working through the volunteers who came to serve in the rebuilding.
- Sunday Morning, August 23: Worship at St. Paul UMC and a reception following. We will spend time sharing stories of rebuilding and taking time to say “thank you” to the volunteers who worked to rebuild the Gulf Coast.