Q: How has Hurricane Katrina impacted the Episcopal Church's ministry in Mississippi?

A: To begin with, six churches were destroyed, and seven clergy lost their homes. That was out of 12 coastal churches. They were, every one of them, good, healthy, solid congregations. Our first reaction was to deal not with bricks and mortar but with those affected personally. The church had begun a formal relationship with the Lutheran Church (ECLA) six months before. Lutheran Episcopal Services in Mississippi (LESM) became the relief wing of the two churches. It set up seven relief centers on the coast - some in churches, some elsewhere. The largest, our flagship, was Camp Coast Care in the gym of the Coast Episcopal School in Long Beach.

We've handed out material goods, opened clinics and offered housing. We're now in a different time. To fast forward, we're now looking at concentrating our efforts in offering affordable housing, partnering with the Hope Credit Union to help with loans, and we are opening up another center for housing volunteers in partnership with Habitat for Humanity in Bay St. Louis, called Mission on the Bay.

Long term our niche is housing volunteers and doing case management for whole families. Nationally, our church has funded this case management system so we can dig deeper. In terms of rebuilding churches, Louisiana and Mississippi have partnered in a campaign called "Darkness into Day" to raise money for priests' salaries and rebuilding church buildings. We've had great response nationally to the tune of several million dollars. Raising money nationally is a big part of what I've been doing as bishop.

Q: What are your thoughts about the church's new presiding bishop, the Rt. Rev. Katharine Jefferts-Schori.

A: I was elected the same year as Bishop Katharine. I say that because those in the same class get together socially to help create a community within a community, so I know her well. Even though we disagree on many things theologically, I know her to be a woman of extraordinarily keen intellect, a clear sense of mission and a person passionate about those on the margins of society. I've already seen in her remarkable leadership examples during difficult moments where she has claimed her authority gently.

Q: How does the controversy over the election of homosexual bishops in the Episcopal Church affect Mississippi?

A: That controversy is challenging us. As we wrestle with the value of traditional understandings in light of new insights, scientific and otherwise - and where does tradition, reason and Scripture intersect - I think there's an openness in Mississippi to be willing to talk about anything in an imperfect community of faith and trust. In other words, I may disagree with you, but I went to Ole Miss with you. There's an intimacy of personal relation that holds us in good stead. Because I have maintained a more traditional view of how we do church, some of the gays and lesbians in our church have struggled with my decisions. But we're in constant communication, which is how it needs to be. Some think I'm not traditional enough. The bishop is meant to represent and live out the unity of the church. The bishop has to embrace all. That is what, in my best moments, I seek to do.

Q: What is the current state of the Episcopal Church in Northeast Mississippi?

A: It's quite vibrant. The Episcopal Church in Tupelo is one of the fastest growing in our church, definitely in Mississippi. It's as healthy, vibrant, forward-looking and mission-conscious as any church in Mississippi. It ranks right up there with any church in our denomination. Oxford's St. Peter's and All Saints' are the two fastest growing congregations in Mississippi. They are both in need of expansion. Directly north, St. Paul's in Corinth has petitioned me to become a parish, which means it is on its way to becoming self-supporting.

Daily Journal religion editor Charity Gordon can be contacted at 678-1586 or charity.gordon@djournal.com

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