John Totter Goes Back to New Orleans

This weekend I will attend a “summit” meeting of the partner churches and individuals of St. Anna’s Church in New Orleans. This is the second summit they have held. The first was in December of 2005. During this meeting, with grace and favor, a new vision for St. Anna’s Mission to Musicians will be cast.

Two years on from Hurricane Katrina and the forming of the Mission to Musicians the situation and needs have changed. The population is moving from the recovery stage to rebuilding. As we have seen in the news, government action towards rebuilding is stuck in its own bureaucracy. (The only part that moves quickly is the part that discontinues funding and services. FEMA is now evicting thousands of people from trailers, dumping them on the streets.) Individuals, churches and private organizations have taken up the leadership to rebuild homes and lives. St. Anna’s is one of those local leaders.

Emmanuel, as a partner church, is also one of the leaders in the rebuilding efforts. Keep the Music Alive! was the beginning of our efforts to aid the musicians and people of New Orleans. This Christmas we will send gifts to over 100 children in the Lower Ninth Ward. Next April, Emmanuel will send 20 individuals on a mission trip to physically participate in the rebuilding.

Please keep us in your prayers this weekend as representatives from churches all over the country gather to work, pray and talk towards a renewed vision for St. Anna’s Mission to Musicians. I will try to post up to date information on the blog, so please visit. SGD

– John