There have been several pastoral changes since the hurricanes in United Church of Christ congregations in New Orleans and nearby communities, and many members of those churches have not returned or do not intend to return.  A new congregation, Freedom Fellowship UCC, was welcomed into the association in 2008.  Little Farms UCC and St. Paul’s UCC both provide space for volunteer groups coming to do recovery work.  Beecher Memorial Congregational UCC has just called the Rev. Juan Thomas as its new pastor.  JWM, in cooperation with funding from the Hope Shall Bloom Fund, will partner with Beecher’s pastor as a community organizer who will supervise two interns as well as reach out to the other UCC churches to find common cause for advocacy.   Our Team is also looking for ways to involve members of our churches in New Orleans and surrounding area in the Sacred Conversations on Race with a particular look at issues relevant to this area.

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