Loading...On Tuesday, April 16 at 7 p.m., the Lancaster County Episcopal Response Team met at St. Paul’s, Manheim.
There were 13 folks present representing 9 of the 10 Episcopal Churches in the County. The 10th church has been involved since the “Team’s inception, but was unable to attend this meeting. We rejoiced that All the Convocational Churches were on board.
Following prayer, reports were given. It had been determined that we would follow-up on our contact with the barrier reef in N.J. which was so devastated by Hurricane Sandy. Cassandra Vitale of Lavallette, N. J. heads up a group coincidentally named “The Bucket Brigade.” She assured us that they have a continued need for tools to allow residents to assist themselves, where possible, in the restoration of their homes. Cassandra gave us a suggested wish list as a starting point for our consideration. We will go back to our 10 churches and recommend that we continue this possibility. If encouraged, a small committee will perfect a “needs list” as well as perfect the method of ingathering and delivery accompanied by a time line.
Cassandra is also trying to identify an individual family that was affected in such a way that our churches might adopt them and effectively give them a “hand-up” in ways to be determined. Inquiries are also being made of the Diocese of New Jersey relative to St. Elizabeth’s Chapel, Ontley Beach which was totally destroyed. If any of these inquiries looked promising, they, like the tools would be referred to the 10 Convocational Episcopal Churches. We emphasized the need to be sensitive to each of our churches and their programs. It was recognized that every church might not be able to respond to every opportunity. However, if agreed upon, individuals from one parish might join in an effort even if the parish felt that it could not join in as a whole.
While the intent of the Lancaster County Episcopal Response Team is to continue our assistance in New Jersey, it was made clear OUR INTEREST WOULD NOT BE LIMITED to this effort. Serving as an arm of the 10 churches, the “Team” will
1) Assist any of the 10 churches in local efforts that it was engaged in should that church request such
assistance. The local church would maintain the leadership role.
2) Develop an ongoing watchfulness in regards to the county and other situations so as to be better
positioned to effectively respond to emergencies as they arise. The examples were given of the flood
in Manheim and its effect on St. Paul’s as well as how Sandy affected St. James’ and challenged its
need to house and feed folk.
3) The Team would be a vehicle for trust building and learning so that together we might better serve the
community and our Lord.
It was noted that 5 churches in the Convocation for the past 2 years had collaboratively conducted a one day “Work-Mass.” Older, handicapped and otherwise needing folk (not necessarily financial) were identified and their work needs coped with – things such as gutter cleaning, raking, weeding, sorting clutter, discarding, pruning, painting, washing, minor carpentry, etc. The Eucharist was celebrated up to the offering, the work then done as the offering, then the folks returned, concluded the “Mass” and an “Agape” meal followed. This possibility was extended to the entire Convocation in order to assist a larger area and move people within the County and as a vehicle for further developing the reality of all the churches working together and rejoicing in the Lord’s goodness.
The next meeting of the “Team” will be at St. Thomas’ Church, off Oregon Road, on May 21 at 7:00 p.m.
