Eighth District Responds to the Jackson, Mississippi Water Crisis
In mid-February 2021, unprecedented frigid weather swept through Jackson, Mississippi, and surrounding cities and communities, forcing residents to stay in their homes for at least four days because of ice- and snow-packed roads and highways. Weather conditions even forced the closing of parts of interstates 20 and 55.
This ice storm, which also swept through Texas, froze plant equipment and burst many water pipes that lead from water treatment plants, making it extremely difficult to provide water to the homes across the city of Jackson and surrounding communities. The impact this had on the residents was not fully known until the streets were cleared of the ice and snow and some small semblances of daily routines were restored. It was then discovered that most homes across the city had little low water pressure or no water and were not able to flush toilets. Jackson established water centers or tanker trucks across the city from which residents could fill their water buckets or flush containers with non-potable water.
Jackson’s Mayor Chokwe Lumumba, responding to critics said this, “was an act of God—extreme weather that sent our old systems into havoc and caused this trauma for our residents. This crisis was not caused through incompetence; it was not a failure to act from any individuals and was not a failure to act from the administration.”
During this month-long water crisis that was punctuated with a boil water alert, faith communities, civic organizations, individuals, and many others responded by donating cases and pallets of bottled water to distribution centers across the city of Jackson. Under the leadership of Bishop Julius H. McAllister, Sr., Water Distribution Centers were established at the five AME Churches in Jackson: Pearl Street, Pastor Samuel H. Boyd, Sr.; New Bethel, Pastor Lorenzo Neal; Bonner Institutional, Pastor Caroline Claiborne; Hopewell, Pastor Karen Porter; and Greater Allen Temple, Pastor Edwin B. Mullen. The general coordinators were Pastors Boyd and Porter. Presiding Elder Michele R. Goodloe served as the assistant executive coordinator.
While the presiding bishop did not make any requests to the Connectional Church for assistance, he knew that had he made such a request, the church would have overwhelmingly responded as it has done so many times. Several bishops, organizations, and churches did send donations and we thank them for their thoughtfulness.
After contributing $15,000 to the Texas Ice Storm Relief Ministry, members of the District—the bishop, supervisor, presiding elders, presiding elder districts, pastors, congregations, local missionary societies, Sons of Allen, Women in Ministry, and friends of the Eighth District in Louisiana and Mississippi—responded to the Jackson Water Crisis by donating cases and pallets of bottled water, personal protection equipment (PPE), and financial donations totaling over $12,000. With the Eighth District’s partnership with a food distribution company, they also distributed over 1,200 boxes of food to families impacted by the water crisis.
In addition to the strong leadership provided by the bishop, general coordinators, executive coordinator, water distribution center pastors, persons serving as volunteers including the Rev. Timothy Stallworth, who provided outstanding service. Volunteers were in place at all five of the AME Distribution Centers.
A list of donors and their donations from our AME family members and friends beyond the Eighth District follows:
Fifth Episcopal District, the Rt. Rev. Clement W. Fugh & Episcopal Supervisor, Mrs. Alexis Fugh ($5,000)
First District Lay Organization, Mr. Simeon Rhoden, President ($500)
Eleventh Episcopal District, the Rt. Rev. Adam J. Richardson, Jr. & Episcopal Supervisor, Mrs. Connie S. Richardson (Four large trucks with bottled water)
Bethel AME Church in Tallahassee, Florida, the Rev. Dr. Julius H. McAllister, Jr., pastor ($2,000)
Immanuel Temple AME Church in Pembroke Pines, Florida, the Rev. Dr. John White II, pastor (Four pallets of bottled water)
Allen Chapel AME Church in Lynn Haven, Florida, the Rev. Darryl Hooks, pastor (24 pallets of bottled water)
Connectional Women’s Missionary Society, Dr. Deborah Taylor-King, president ($1,000)
Saint Matthew AME Church in East Orange, New Jersey, the Rev. Dr. Melvin Wilson, pastor (four trucks filled with bottled water via Amazon)
Bethel AME Church in Bloomfield, Connecticut, the Rev. Dr. Daylon K. Greer, Sr., pastor (six pallets of bottled water)
New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, the Rev. Dr. Jamal H. Bryant, pastor ($5,000 with an 18-wheel refrigerated truck of bottled water, large individual boxes of perishable and non-perishable food, cleaning supplies, sanitary wipes, and PPE
First Baptist Church in Vienna, Virginia, the Rev. Vernon Walton, pastor (24 of bottled water)
We appreciate all the donations and so many others for prayers and words of encouragement. We thank the Connectional church for its caring and magnanimous spirit.
Eighth Episcopal District Disaster Relief Ministry Members
Mr. Melvin Davis, Coordinator
Rev. Dr. Herman O. Kelly, Jr., Vice Coordinator
Presiding Elder Michele R. Goodloe
Presiding Elder Bland Washington
Rev. Dr. Samuel H. Boyd, Sr.
Mrs. Brenda Hurst
Ms. Earline Blackmore
Ms. Della Archie
Mr. Robert Chambliss
