I am continuing my thoughts from last month’s newsletter.  I am extending the same offer I gave you last month - after you read these words I invite you to let me know what you think.

I am writing this the day after our Rally Day fun.  Michele Huhner, our new Christian Education Director is a gift.  She is filled with endless ideas.  The D.J. with music from the Disney Network was fantastic.  Randy the D. J. added the traditional chicken dance, bunny hop and hokey pokey.  The kids loved it.  The snow balls, pizza and cake were loved by all ages.  This is the first of many fellowship activities being planned.  I will be leading the Blessing of the Animals Service on October 4 at 7:00 PM.  We are planning a Church Picnic on Sunday, October 21 at Audubon Park from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.  Our shelter is right across from the entrance to the Zoo.  Karen Nauck is starting a Fellowship Team to plan church family gatherings of all ages.  It seems that finally, two years after Katrina, we are ready to support one another through fellowship activities.

I have just returned from my visits to seven churches in Massachusetts and Maine. I wish every one of you could have been with me to see the enthusiasm, excitement and support those people have for us in New Orleans. It was great to speak to new people, but the deeper joy was found in being with those who have come to work with us.  It was like meeting old friends. The hugs and tears we shared were worth the experience of this thing we call life post Katrina. They kept reminding me to tell you that they are praying and thinking of you often. They are listening to God’s direction for the ways they can continue to support us as we work at restoring some sanity to our lives. To know we are never alone is what I want to talk about.