Welcome to the Future With Hope Press website!

Here you will find written materials and resources about the Katrina recovery ministries of the clergy of the Bayou Conference of the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

We are grateful for your prayers and support!

Click here to visit our synod's website dedicated to Katrina recovery efforts for more information and ways to help.

Blessings!

Voices of Faith Voices of Faith in the Midst of the Storm

On Monday, August 29, 2005, the city of New Orleans was hit by the raging waters and winds of hurricane Katrina, forever changing the city and its people. All aspects of life – including church communities – were affected.

Voices of Faith in the Midst of the Storm is a collection of reflections, journals, and sermons from pastors and faith leaders serving South Louisiana congregations of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The voices articulate the loss and suffering experienced from the storm and its aftermath; yet resonating throughout is the sound of a resilient faith and hope for the future.

Information about the book:
Length: 96 pages
ISBN: 1-4276-0472-X


Click here or on the cover photo above for ordering information.

Below the Water Line Video: Below the Water Line

Below the Water Line is the video being shown and distributed to ELCA synods in their assemblies across the country. It chronicles through music and images the destruction as well as the beginning recovery work in New Orleans.

The video is produced by John McCullough Bade, an ELCA pastor living in Baton Rouge, LA.

Music in the video is by Paul Soniat (www.paulsoniat.com) and David Nevue (www.davidnevue.com). Thanks to both of these great musicians for providing the hauntingly beautiful music for the video!

Click here or on the photo above to view the video. Or if you would like more information about the video, click here to send an email.

Voices of Faith Being the Church in a Post-Katrina World

This document is a grassroots report from the New Orleans-Baton Rouge area ELCA clergy written February, 2007 and presented to the Conference of Bishops of the ELCA March 3, 2007.

The report summarizes the disaster response of the ELCA as it has been experienced by the local clergy "on the ground." It also articulates the lessons learned in the disaster and offers recommendations for future disaster response.

Information about the document:

Length: 8 pages
Available NOW as a PDF file.
Cost: Free to download

Click here or on the logo above to view and download the document.
Voices of Faith A New Orleans Area Prayer Pilgrimage

A self-guided prayer pilgrimage has been developed for those visiting New Orleans.

The pilgrimage offers a driving tour of New Orleans and the surrounding area. Neighorboods and ELCA churches most dramatically impacted by Hurricane Katrina and the resulting floodwaters are included on the journey.

Participants will be encouraged to stop at various "prayer stations" to reflect and pray. Bidding prayers are available below for download and are formatted to be copied as a half-fold bulletin for participants.

Ideas for planning the trip, map and directions, prayers, and "Ways You Can Help" are available for participants to download and copy. A journal from a group who went on the pilgrimage in March, 2007 is also available. Click here to read the journal.

Click on the links in the box below for the prayer pilgrimage resources (in pdf format):

How-To Guide
(ideas for planning your trip, lodging, etc)

Prayer Pilgrimage
(driving directions and maps)
NOTE: If you have trouble viewing this document, or if you would like a high resolution copy, please right-click here and choose "Save Target As ..." This will save the document on your computer.

Prayers
(a bulletin-styled format to be duplicated on two sides)

Ways to Help
(suggested ways you can help in the recovery and rebuilding)

Pilgrimage Journal
(a journal from a participant in the pilgrimage)