Clearly, the devastation along the Gulf Coast of the US is unprecedented in our nations's history. There are hundreds of thousands of people who need assistance and are in danger from lack of clean food and water as well as problems finding places to stay.

Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) has a list of advice and contacts for people who wish to help.

I would like to mention the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance which has consistently helped in areas hit by disaster around the world. They have established a page specifically for donations to help hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

Let us all keep the victims of this disaster, the people working to help them and restore order, the friends and families of all of those people, and our country in our prayers.