Hurricane Ida Update

Post-Hurricane Ida Update
 
I lift my eyes to the hills;
  From where is my help to come?
 
My help comes from the Lord,
  the maker of heaven and earth.
 
He will not let your foot be moved
  and he who watches over you will not fall asleep.
 
Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel
  shall neither slumber nor sleep;
 
The Lord himself watches over you;
  the Lord is your shade at your right hand.
 
So that the sun shall not strike you by day,
   nor the moon by night.
 
The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
   it is he who shall keep you safe.
 
The Lord shall watch over you going out and your coming in,
   from this time forth for evermore.

- Psalm 121 NRSV

I hope this finds you safe, comfortable, and a bit closer to life as usual. As in any time of calamity, disaster, and confusion, this is surely a challenging time for each one of us. Some of us are suffering and may be feeling overwhelmed by the work we see ahead of us. I offer the Psalm above to you as reassurance of God’s love for you and for me – a reminder that God is our very present help in times of trouble.

Blessings+
Fr. Brad

Hurricane Ida Update September 7, 2021 from Fr. Brad
 
I returned home Wednesday night September 8 – Power was finally restored at my house on Tuesday. I continue to work remotely, as does Jamee who went by the church office on Tuesday to gather some things to ensure that the administrative functioning of the church continues. Regarding St. Augustine's campus: Blue tarps were installed on the roofs where needed over the weekend; a hired cleanup crew has removed wet carpet in Fr. Benjamin's office, and they were about 2/3 of the way finished with the remaining cleanup of removing limbs, trees and debris, and removing standing water in the church and in Byrd Hall. The roof above the kitchen in Byrd hall leaked, and some of the ceiling tiles have collapsed. The insurance adjuster was on campus today, taking pictures and assessing the damage.
 
Electricity was restored sometime on Wednesday September 8. 
 
There will be no in-person worship services this coming Sunday. I will once again lead the "Liturgy of the Word" on Sunday morning.
 
Obviously, the school will also remain closed until such time as utilities are fully functioning, the campus poses no safety concerns, and enough teachers have returned from evacuation. It is also not known how many of the students' families have returned at this time.
 
All that said, we will continue operating and planning on a day-to-day basis. Take care of yourselves, and take care of one another. Please contact me if you need anything.

Blessings+
Fr. Brad
 
Sunday Online Worship
 
While we are unable to gather in church this coming Sunday, we will have Online Services available through Facebook Live as usual. If you do not already follow St. Augustine’s on Facebook, simply go to Facebook and search St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church Metairie.
Service Times:

8:00 am – Fr. Brad (English)
10:30 am – Fr. Brad (English)
12:30 pm Fr. Benjamin (Spanish)