As evacuees continued to fill Vicksburg over the weekend, local churches were called to the fore to aid spiritual needs.

“The response of the community has been phenomenal,” said Susan Ivins of the United Way of West Central Mississippi. “But the needs are great, and not all of them are being met.”

Mayor Laurence Leyens asked the United Way to gather representatives from local churches Saturday to figure out a role they can play in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

More than 700 evacuees from Louisiana and Mississippi coastal areas continued to fill four shelters in Warren County Saturday. Others were in private homes.

Ivins said more evacuees are on the way and no one knows when – or if – they will leave. Many have no homes to which to return.

“We expect as many as 1,500 people in the next week,” Ivins said Saturday at a meeting for local churches.

Twelve people, representing eight Christian denominations, attended the meeting to organize efforts to provide evacuees with detailed lists of local church services, mental health training to volunteers and a chapel at shelters.

“We’re in need of chaplains – both lay people and clergy,” said the Rev. Michael Nation, rector of Church of the Holy Trinity Episcopal.

Nation was asked by Beverly Connelly, director of the Vicksburg chapter of the American Red Cross, to be the head chaplain for evacuees.

Evacuees, many who lost family and their homes, have been asking for prayer services and want support from churches.

“People would love to just be able to pray,” said the Rev. Chan de Anaya, rector of Christ Episcopal Church. “They just want an opportunity to worship.”

Other spiritual concerns include those of the community.

“We have to take care of ourselves – this is a long term issue,” said Walter Frazier, director of Grace Christian Counseling Services, who is assisting Nation.

It was suggested by church representatives that counseling be done in the public schools, where 300 or more evacuees are expected to register and begin school Tuesday when classes resume.

Churches will provide meals to community members who are without power every day next week and until power is restored throughout the county. The meals will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily at Crawford Street united Methodist Church, 900 Crawford St.

Nation said a chapel will be set up at the convention center and the churches are joining forces to provide transportation to evacuees wanting to attend church services in the community.

Vicksburg has about 200 houses of worship.