Desire Street Ministries Update

From Rev. Mo Leverett, our 2006 Urban Missions Conference speaker: Thank you for your prayers during this very difficult time. It is now official and confirmed, all of our staff members are accounted for and are living with friends and family from California to Florida, but most remain between Houston and Atlanta! Many staff evacuated with youth from the community and will serve as surrogate families for the time being. We are working hard to provide them with resources they need and continue to search for our students and members of our community. We have found about 40% of our 190 Desire Street Academy students. We have established a new office in the Atlanta area and are rebuilding our adminstrative infrastructure in order to be effective in our relief and recovery efforts. Churches and individuals have offered many resources, from housing and supplies to funds and ready workers. We are very grateful and hope to corral these resources to impact the families we are called to serve. As you know, it will be quite some time before we can get back into the city of New Orleans to start any type of recovery process. In the short term, we are building a network of sister ministries and relief agencies so we are ready when the time comes. In the long term, we look forward to linking arms with the body of Christ as we work to rebuild our community. Our greatest immediate needs are for prayers and funding. We are determined to keep as many of our staff members as possible, so operational support is critical. Job descriptions have certainly changed, but our calling to minister to the children and families of Desire remains the same. For all the updates, please visit http://www.desirestreet.org/ . Send all donations to Desire Street Ministries Fund, Whitney National, Northwest Branch Mail Teller, Attn: Loveda Lockey 1716 Mangum RoadHouston, TX 77092.

Materials needed in gulf area

PCA Disaster Relief needs the following items (please refrain from sending any items not on the list): Hand Sanitizer, Bug spray, Food -- nonperishable; non heated, Manual can openers, Diapers -- all sizes, Pull-ups, Baby formula, Baby wipes, Paper products (plates, napkins, plastic ware, cups), Feminine products, Toothpaste, Toothbrushes. When you have gathered your donated supplies, please call Disaster Response at 636-299-1424 or 636-299-1422 for directions on where to ship your supplies. Because areas of need change daily, this will allow us to make sure that supplies get quickly to the area of most need.

Help evacuees relocated in Philly

Food gifts are being collected and distributed by Philabundance. For information, call Martha M. Buccino at 215-339-0900, Ext. 253. The greatest needs: canned meats, soups, tuna fish and chicken, bar soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, diapers and wipes, plates, cups, spoons and paper towels.

The Salvation Army needs help sorting clothes. Call 215-787-2800.

Prayer Service Friday, 9/16

On Friday, September 16, Tenth Church will observe a prayer service from 12:00-1:00 in the sanctuary. Please feel free to invite friends, neighbors, and colleagues.

9/12 Relief update

We are beginning to build a databank of Tenth folk who are able to go to the hurricane-affected areas. Please email David Apple (dapple@tenth.org) and indicate 1) specific skills, 2) resources such as tools, truck, large van) as well as dates you are free to travel. We will plan appropriately as we receive adequate information.

For all information on MNA coordination of PCA Disaster Response, go to: www.pca-mna.org. Donations as of Friday, September 9, MNA has received a total of $435,000 in actual gifts or notification of gifts on their way. To date, 107 volunteers have actually served, working at least 10,500 hours, and helping at least 155 families. 2,720 have been served from the distribution center. Volunteers report many opportunities to pray and share the Gospel with people, as well as the joy of serving with other members of the Body of Christ. New volunteers are needed but must wait for permission to go down. Many areas are still without power and phones. PCA disaster relief specialists will send people in only when it is safe to do so. For other important updates see Sept. 10 .

Prodigal Sermons

If the third sermon follows the quality of Phil's first two sermons on the Prodigal Son parable, then we will be in for a treat indeed next Sunday. If you are missing these messages, be sure to access them on the webcast. You can get there through the church website. Outstanding sermons - convicting, uplifting, insightful.

Events New and Renewed

Sunday's bulletin is loaded with announcements of Bible studies, fellowship groups, and ministries starting up this or next week. Be sure to check it out on the church website (see link on the side).

Prayers Answered

Sunday's bulletin asks prayer for 11 year old Hunter Stolzfus who was seriously injured in a car accident. Actually, it was questionable if he would live, or, if he did, was likely to have brain damage. He has "miraculously" recovered with the efforts of quick, skillful medical care.

While I Am Away

I will be away this week, but may still do some postings. David Apple may also post information related to hurricane relief efforts. All questions and comments related to the hurricane should be steered his way. Paul Duggan and Joel Garver will keep up the Proverbs devotions (see "A Proverb a Day" link on the side).

Two Events

Take note of two events this week.

Phil's booksigning at Barnes & Noble's on Rittenhouse Square, Thursday night at 7:00. Nehemiah Project folks are going to that in place of meeting at the church.

Prayer service Friday at noon (12-1:00) in the sanctuary for Hurricane Katrina victims.

Maranatha Kick-Off

Maranatha kicks off the school year next Sunday (18th) will a Sunday afternoon rally for 7th-12th graders. Bring bag lunch, comfortable clothes and shoes. They will be running around the city (under supervision) doing some kind of fun stuff that Carroll and his team dream up.

Eleanor Lummis

Longtime Tenth member, Eleanor Lummis, died Saturday at the age of 99. Her funeral will be Thursday at DuBois Funeral Home, 700 S. White Horse Pike (Rt 30), Audubon, NJ. Visitation from 10-11 and the funeral at 11:00. Carroll Wynne will lead the service.

TenthWoman Breakfast

TenthWomen's fall fellowship breakfast is Saturday, September 17, 9-11. Ginger Clark will speak. RSVP to Elizabeth van Bastelaar. You may email her at vanbastelaars@hotmail.com. Her phone number is in the church directory, or you may call into the church to register. Please get the word out, as this did not appear in Sunday's bulletin.