Network Blog

The Lutheran church has always had, I thought, a kind of a strange link to the city of New Orleans.  When I started in ministry 21 years ago, the old ALC (pre-merger) was just a few years from their most recent national youth gathering in New Orleans.  Just a few years later, we were there ourselves for an ELCA Youth Gathering.  The Extravaganza has been there, and our sisters and brothers in the Missouri Synod have been to New Orleans for youth gatherings at least twice.   Since Katrina, countless ELCA groups have been to New Orleans to assist in clean up and rebuilding, and of course, in 2009 the both the Extravaganza and the Youth Gathering will be back there.

That's why I've paid special attention to the news in the last 48 hours.  I know that city.  I've been to the spots where the national reporters are reporting from. 

Many of us will be in New Orleans next summer for the gathering, and to serve.  We've had in our mind what it's going to be like, and the kind of work that will need to be done.  But we forget:  nature is still at work.

Gustav is, as I write this, spinning through New Orleans and the gulf coast region. 

And we, as a community, are connected.

Please pray.  For the city...for the people...please pray.