just how closely

Sometimes you get a note that just really covers it all.

specifics: Patti is a church member; Laura is her daughter, a seminary student doing a chaplaincy fellowship at Hanover College. Carmel is a 'burb north of Indy; Southport is - you guessed it - south side of town.

Hi,

I wanted to share with you two a neat connection that took place in New Orleans this past week. My mom called today to let me know that Southport's interim minister just returned from a week of volunteering in New Orleans. It turns out that they stayed at the same DOC church in Covington, LA as Laura and her group and worked along with them. He mentioned Laura in his sermon today (so of course my parents were in tears!) and mentioned he had photos of her in her mask. Evidently the kids left the area yesterday morning, but I haven't heard from her yet. He talked about what an awesome group they were and their high level of commitment to the tasks at hand. (Courtney, can you just imagine my dad and mom sitting there listening to this?) It was a very good connection for them, and I'm glad they made it to church today. They don't make it there so much anymore.

Fred's wife mentioned that the church down there is in need of cookies for all the volunteers. They can't seem to have enough. So SCC is sending some boxes down, and perhaps we might do the same. It might be a neat youth event to collect cookies for DOC churches down there that are supporting/hosting volunteers.

Mom also said that a couple from Carmel is actually heading up this work with that church, and they've been living there, doing this work for some time now. It's become their mission. So it's wonderful to see our denomination take such an active role in this effort. It's becoming more and more obvious that the churches have really made the biggest difference down there.

Anyway, just thought you'd both be interested in this connection. We learn more and more just how closely our faith connects us in ways we never imagined.

Peace~
Patti

And? We're working on the cookie thing. Just to let you know. ;)