Spring Update from New Orleans
If the city of New Orleans was to recover successfully after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, it needed to depend on the heart and soul of the city: its churches.
It wasn’t until April 2006, that I found the right opportunity to donate my services to the city. That month, I read in an e-mail that Community Church Unitarian Universalist-New Orleans was seeking help with internal organization before taking the steps of rebuilding. A smart strategy, I thought, one that could aid in the overall process of restoring their heavily damaged church, physically scattered and emotionally battered congregation, and the place it had earned in the community’s life.
My work in 2006 took place over two long weekends—one in June and one in December—during which I presented customized workshops for leaders and the entire congregation. To reinforce and support their processes, I returned to NOLA a few times since then to lead groups. Additionally, I provide coaching and consulting services for leaders via telephone and e-mail.
“It is really a time of hope here,” wrote Suzy Mague, former Chair of the Board of Directors of CCUU-NOLA and now friend, in the April 2010 update she sent out. “The congregation has decided to rebuild on the site of the former structure and we have begun the process to clear the ground, hire an architect, and negotiate with a contractor to take on the work.”
Draft of Plans for New Church
What was exciting is that the city itself is alive in a way that it has not been since 2006. Suzy writes, “…we are actually still savoring our football championship. I was amused the other day to pick up some cleaning and find a fleur-de-lis and “Saints – World Champions” printed on the cleaner’s bag. Of more long-term significance, the Super Bowl victory was followed by a real landmark election. Mitch Landrieu won a landslide victory for Mayor, carrying all but one precinct in the City. Although incumbent Mayor Nagin tried to play the race card, voters crossed color lines in droves–in both directions. Citywide offices of Mayor and Councilmember were won by white candidates with strong black support, and important citywide offices were likewise won by black candidates with strong white support. Mayor-elect Landrieu has appointed task forces during his transition to advise him on myriad issues, from hiring a new police chief to better customer service in city hall. The display of energy and the citizen involvement across all neighborhoods has all of us feeling very hopeful that a new day is coming.”
Continuing her report, Suzy lets us know that, “In an odd sort of way, the activities of the federal prosecutor have also inspired hope. Following confessions and/or convictions from several ‘political operatives’, including Congressman Bill Jefferson, he has broken a police cove-up of misconduct following Katrina, obtaining two confessions from police officers involved. There is tremendous determination here that corruption will not be tolerated in our public life, and having an active, effective pursuit of wrongdoers is very heartening. The new police chief will have a good basis to begin re-making the department. The new city inspector general is also very well focused and presenting reports that are relevant and influential. Feels like a new day–and it couldn’t come at a better time.”
I hope that the spring spirit of renewal and rebirth continues and flourishes for not just the congregation but for the entire city of New Orleans.