Sunday 15 February

On Sunday morning we were up early. The coffee was great and we figured out how to get hot water and schedule showers for everyone. Then we were off to the Lower Ninth Ward by 8:15 a.m. We met Rev. Lonell Wright and his parishioners at All Souls Episcopal Church - which is meeting in a partially renovated Walgreens drug store. We were not the only visiting group. Another group of students from Ottawa, led by Andrew Rainey joined us as did a large number of teenagers from New York, representing Jews for Justice. There were assorted other visitors - a retired Episcopal minister from Madison, WI and the architect who is doing the renovation pro bono. We also met Willis, who is a friend of Alan Hayes and a professor and church historian from a university in Hawaii. He had just sent home the third group of folks that he has brought to New Orleans to help with rebuild. He hung out with us for the rest of the day. Once at All Souls we joined a Bible study group, which met prior to the worship service. Everyone participated. During worship, Peggy read a lesson and John preached. Sam, Dave and Bob joined the musicians and led some of the music. We met in semi-darkness with only spotlights available. The building has not yet met the inspection code for electrical connections, so we could not turn on the lights. But that did not detract from the joy of the service. This was one service where having acolytes really made a difference - helps you understand why they were needed in the first place. It was red-letter day for All Souls. After we left they were meeting to make a decision as to whether they will apply to the Diocese for mission status. They are currently classified as a "mission station."

After church we ate lunch at a Lebanese restaurant. One group toured devasted areas and another group went to the French Quarter - where the "Barkus" parade was in progress - dogs dressed in Mardi Gras costume. Look for a great picture coming another day.

Tonight we met with students at the Tulane Chapel of the Holy Spirit - a beautiful chapel with great sound effects. Our musicians were on tap again and John did an abbreviated sermon which fit the situation. We joined the students for pizza, spinach salad and KING CAKE (HOORAY) after supper. One of the students has helped us get logged onto the net - giving us a tour of the Tulane campus in the process - quite a spacious and lovely place.

Tomorrow most our group will be out at the rebuild site. We do not know yet where that will be. A smaller contingent will go out with the Trinity Church Loaves and Fishes program and then help St. George's church do some cleaning following renovation.

Everyone is enjoying the balmy weather. The impressions are so rich that we are still sorting them out. We feel your prayers. Keep them going!