Episcopal Church Foundation Vestry Papers - for leading congregations

The headline reads “Churches respond in many ways to help storm-battered communities;” reading the article, it is very clear that people are the church.

In this time of declining church attendance and the pressing need for money to maintain our aging buildings, it is easy to think about church as institution, as someone else. “Why isn’t the church doing more to recruit new members?” is an oft heard refrain as if the clergy or the vestry or the diocese, or someone, anyone, other than the speaker is responsible for bringing things back to the way they were.

As after any devastating storm, fire, or other disaster, people step up in service to others. Today, it is happening in the areas affected by Hurricane Sandy as people – paid and volunteer – work together to bring relief to those for whom ‘normal life’ has ceased to exist.

I encourage you to read this article by Sharon Sheridan, a reporter for Episcopal News Service. The people of her parish, St. Peter’s in Morristown, NJ answered an early call to serve as a warming and recharging station for people who had lost power. Recognizing that many of the people who were coming were hungry, the parishioners organized and began serving meals.

St. Peter’s is one of many churches in the area that is making a real difference.

Reading about how our churches are making a difference, it is clear that we – the people – are the Church. I think about the many volunteers, including Sharon, living without electrical power for days and sustaining damage to their homes, who choose to go to the church and share what they can with others. They are responding to God’s call to serve the least among us.

My question is this: How are we, as people of faith, sustaining a public response to serving the least among us? What are you doing, day by day, quietly and without the media coverage brought on by a disaster, to help alleviate hunger and poverty or to ensure that all of us have access to quality housing, education, health care, or jobs that pay a living wage? How are you meeting the spiritual needs of people in your community who have lost hope or who feel lonely or abandoned?

Let’s share our stories of how we – Episcopalians – are healing a hurting world.

Editor's note: Episcopal Relief & Development is coordinating relief efforts in areas affected by Sandy. Click here for more information or to make a donation.