By Rev. Donna Manocchio
BILOXI, MS (04/07/2006) -- We are definitely back in ministry! This resounding affirmation is the good word from Rev. Shari Prestemon, Executive Director of Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, Mississippi. The days, weeks, and months following Hurricane Katrina have been difficult ones for the staff and Board of Directors of Back Bay and for the people of Biloxi. But they have been days not without hope or new possibility. We are so very grateful to individual churches and the conference in Connecticut, for their prayers, financial support, and commitment to partnership together, says Rev. Prestemon, anticipating the working and walking together on the long journey of renewal, restoration, and rebuilding that is ahead.
Rev. Prestemon reports that 60-70% of the debris in Biloxi has been cleaned up. Where fallen trees, broken boards and half-standing structures once covered the streets and community, scarred neighborhoods now dominate the landscape. Some of the relief groups that initially went to Biloxi have departed, easing traffic and other logistics. Some businesses have reopened, and each day seems to bring a little more order and organization to the city.
After working for a few months out of Sharis house, Back Bay Mission has returned to its property on Division Street. For the last two months, they have been working out of two trailers. Soon there will be three trailers to accommodate additional staff and to continue their ministry. There is temporary housing on the campus that can accommodate 30 work team members at a time, including several church groups from Connecticut, some of whom have already been to Biloxi, and others who will be there later this year.
Back Bays direct assistance ministry continues, with the needs among the community in Biloxi now greater than ever. Disaster Response groups are involved in deconstruction, rehabilitation, and reconstruction of homes in Biloxi. Back Bay is working with other community organizations in rebuilding efforts, as well as with former clients. Work days for both staff and volunteers are long and hard.
A great amount of work has also been done by the Board of Directors of Back Bay Mission. Rev. David Taylor, senior pastor at First Church in Glastonbury, serves as the president of the board. At its February meeting, the Board voted to tear down all buildings except the main building, which will require significant rehab, and to rebuild in a new and more effective configuration the work crew and community service facilities, at an anticipated construction cost of $1.5 million.
Because of the commitment and dedication of a gifted staff, Back Bay Mission has been able to re-establish its ministries of emergency service and outreach in temporary facilities, says Taylor. But the Board of Directors is committed to ensuring that the needs of the poor on the Gulf will be served by the mission for another 80 years, so we have enthusiastically implemented a plan to rebuild the mission campus. Thanks be to God for the outpouring of support from the United Church of Christ family!
The partnership between Back Bay and the Connecticut Conference is in its beginning stages. At the Conference Annual Meeting last October, delegates voted a tithe to Back Bay from the Now For the Future capital campaign. A letter has been sent to all churches from the members of the Hurricane Response Team, with the hopes of conversation and connection as we work in partnership with Back Bay Mission. As team leaders, Lorelle Foulds and I welcome your questions, suggestions, and stories. And please read ConnTact and visit the Conference website (www.ctucc.org) for updates and partnership opportunities!
Rev. Donna Manocchio is the Associate Pastor at the Rocky Hill Congregational Church. She and Lorelle Foulds serve as co-chairs of the Conferences Back Bay Mission hurricane response group.
