Faith in the Face of Disaster: UU Response to Hurricane Katrina

An Appeal to UU Religious Professionals

September 9, 2005

Dear Colleagues,

Bill Sinkford has announced the creation of a UUA-UUSC Gulf Coast Relief Fund to assist in the recovery from Hurricane Katrina. All funds received will be distributed under the auspices of the Southwest and Mid-South Districts. In order to ensure that the maximum assistance is available for hurricane relief, the UUA administrative fee will be less than 5%. The two districts will establish a panel to distribute funds to local relief efforts, especially for marginalized members of society and for UU congregations so that their ministries in their communities can be restored.

A particular concern among many ministers and other religious professionals is the well-being of our colleagues in the affected area. The extent of the physical destruction and social disruption may challenge the ability of congregations to compensate church staff and of local agencies employing community ministers to compensate them. Administrative structures, office records and equipment, pledge revenue, and church volunteers' energies -- all are likely to suffer for months to come. Yet the need for effective ministry is greater than ever.

With this heart-breaking prospect in mind, the UUA is making it possible for those of us who wish to do so to earmark some portion of our contributions for the benefit of our colleagues. It is in our power to assure that our colleagues' compensation, insurance premiums, retirement plan benefits, and professional expense allowances continue, while at the same time we can provide the gift of significant financial relief to our congregations.

Our hope is that together we will contribute financial resources sufficient to provide our colleagues with full continuation of income and benefits for the balance of the church year, to the extent that it is required. Excess funds will be added to the general Gulf Coast Relief Fund, for the two-District panel to distribute.

Thus, we ask you all -- even as your hearts go out to all who have suffered the aftermath of the hurricane. We hope that many of us will remember our colleagues and the congregations with whom they serve and who support them. Please use this link to make a secure online contribution to this effort.

If you would prefer to make a pledge at this time, please call the UUA Stewardship and Development staff group, toll free 1-888-792-5885.

In faith,

Sandy Leyenaar, President, Association of UU Administrators
The Rev. Susan Archer, President, Liberal Religious Educators Association
|The Rev. Jeanne Lloyd, President, Society for the Larger Ministry
The Rev. Kenneth Sawyer, President, UU Ministers Association
Elizabeth Norton, President, UU Musicians Network

Words for a special offering to benefit UUA-UUSC Aid Fund, from the Rev. William G. Sinkford

Faith in the Face of Disaster: UU Response to Hurricane Katrina

Unitarian Universalist Association
25 Beacon St. | Boston, MA 02108 | 617-742-2100