Districts begin reporting collection totals.

Church of the Brethren districts have begun reporting special collections for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. In what must represent just a fraction of the donations that have been received across the denomination over the last month, Southeastern and Virlina Districts combined have contributed more than $100,000. In addition, one of the largest annual fundraisers for Church of the Brethren disaster work—the Brethren Disaster Auction in Lebanon, Pa.—brought in more than $500,000 in one weekend for disaster relief including Hurricane Katrina efforts.

As of Sept. 26 congregations and members in Virlina District have given more than $52,000 to a special offering for Hurricane Katrina relief, collected on Sunday Sept. 18. The District Office is still receiving donations to that offering.

Southeastern District collected a love offering on Sept. 25 totaling almost $35,891, with some churches still sending in offerings. Churches in the district also are purchasing items of need for a small community in Mississippi near Cedar Creek Church of the Brethren in Citronelle, Ala.

On Sept. 23-24, more than 10,000 people attended the 29th annual Brethren Disaster Auction, an event co-sponsored by Atlantic Northeast and Southern Pennsylvania Districts. Auction items have brought in more than $575,000, and organizers expect the total received by year’s end to be over $600,000, said auction co-founder Jay M. Witman. On Saturday, 450 volunteers assembled 30,000 Gift of the Heart Health Kits in just two hours and 25 minutes. In addition to the money and kits collected, a “blitz build” allowed a modular home to be completely constructed in three days. The home will go to an Ohio family as part of the rebuilding work that Brethren Disaster Response is doing around Glencoe, Ohio, following flooding from Hurricane Ivan.

“It was eye-staggering,” Witman said of the health kits assembly line. “There was not a dry eye.” The auction was put on hold at noon on Saturday for a prayer service and hymn sing, he said, as he spoke of the event as the “Lord’s work.” Witman hopes to “pull out all the stops” at next year’s auction, the 30th annual. “I never would have thought 29 years ago we would have had in excess of $10 million to give away to disaster victims. God worked,” he said.

For more stories of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts by Church of the Brethren congregations, districts, colleges, and other organizations, see www.brethren.org/genbd/ersm/HurricanePosting.htm.

Source: 9/28/2005 Newsline
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