“Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up.” — Ecclesiastes 4:9-10.

Help our neighbors by attending a Flood Relief Concert at 6 p.m. on Tuesday at New Covenant Presbyterian Church, 130 Homochitto St. There is no charge for the evening of entertainment, but we ask for donations of supplies to help our friends in Baton Rouge.

We have all experienced it: heartache, physical loss, the need of intervention. Those moments of extreme suffering are lifted by the helping hands of others, sometimes friends, neighbors, or even strangers. Though I have had moments, I cannot imagine what our brothers and sisters are dealing with in Baton Rouge and other flooded areas in Mississippi and Louisiana. There are so many in need. This is our opportunity. We can be those hands that turn a hopeless situation into a blessed one.

My husband Seth was a part of a Christian group in college called RUF: Reformed University Fellowship, a PCA-based organization that greatly impacted his life and led him into pastoral ministry. During his time at Delta State, Josh Martin was one of the RUF Directors. Flashforward to today, Josh is the assistant pastor at South Baton Rouge Presbyterian Church. The tug at each of our hearts to help our friends and neighbors led to Seth calling Josh and asking, “What can we do?” In the spirit of joining together as a community as Christian brothers and sisters, New Covenant Presbyterian is partnering with the church in Baton Rouge to help their efforts in cleaning up and providing relief. We invite our community of Natchez to be a part of this movement.

At 6 p.m. Tuesday, there will be a relief concert led by Burnley Cook, with performances by Derrick Burt of First Baptist, Seth Duhs and myself at New Covenant. Burnley will recreate the famous seven-minute magic act of Clarence Ferguson known as Clarence the Magician, and musical numbers will range from jazz standards to sacred favorites. Instead of charging admission, we are asking for items for the church, such as generators, extension cords, shop vacuums, masks, cleaning supplies, etc. A more extensive list of supplies can be found on our website at www.NewCovNatchez.org. Cash and check donations are welcomed. Any funds received will be used to purchase supplies. Checks should be made out to New Covenant Presbyterian Church, memo line “Baton Rouge Flood Relief.” These items will be taken to South Baton Rouge Presbyterian on Saturday, Aug. 27, by a volunteer team.

God works in our lives, puts people in our paths for a reason. You can be a blessing. Our community of Natchez can be a blessing. We would love for you to be a part of our small effort to bring healing to our neighbors. We hope you can join us at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

For other ways to help, check our website at www.NewCovNatchez.org, email newcovnatchez@gmail.com or call us at 601-445-5010.

 

Roberta Duhs is a member of New Covenant Presbyterian Church.