Summer has arrived in earnest on the East Coast. Temperatures hover in the 80s and 90s, humidity dampens plants and people alike. Flowers and vegetables are ecstatic with the combination of sun and rain, and everywhere we look, life abounds.

The work and compassion of faithful people abound as well, as you will see in this month's articles.

 

Visit from St. Hilda's & St. Hugh's Alumni
Faith Margaret, CHS

 

Minot ND: Two years later
Claire Joy, CHS

Last year I wrote about a trip I was privileged to make to Ghana in Africa. There I observed first hand how the poorest of the poor are often the richest in faithfulness, generosity and welcoming.

This year, my second year as staff chaplain for Episcopal Relief & Development, took me to Minot, North Dakota. I had not realized this before, but in the United States, the work is all disaster-related. And two years ago in late June, Minot was definitely a disaster area.

[Photo courtesy of FEMA]

A combination of events -- extreme weather conditions and subsequent decisions relating to those conditions -- created a flood that wiped out much of the city. Over four thousand homes were lost.

The area was already waterlogged from snowmelt and late winter rains. Excessive spring rains then caused Canadian reservoirs to discharge their excess water or risk overtopping their spillways. This additional water emptied into the Souris River -- which flows straight through Minot.

 

Katie Mears, the National Disaster Coordinator for Episcopal Relief & Development, had already been to Minot twice. This trip was to see the recovery work in its final stages, to talk to flood victims who were beneficiaries of the grant money, to hear the stories of heartbreak and outreach, and once again to be reminded that if you want something done, you ask a busy person, or in this case, a small but busy church.

 

All Saints Episcopal Church already had a full schedule of community outreach when the flood waters hit. They added more. They hosted volunteer clean-up teams from across the country, sheltered a family who had fallen through the bureaucratic cracks, continued with their everyday work with the hungry, coordinated, assisted, supplied, and promoted the rebuilding efforts in cooperation with various agencies and religious groups.

 

As we drove through the city, we saw first hand the high water marks on homes, and buildings that had been gutted, rebuilt and restored.  

 

Hardest hit were trailers.You can see the water mark where the flooding stopped. [Photo credit: Joanne Slanger]

John Williams and friends in front of his flooded condo. His downstairs possessions sit alongside the gutted remains of walls and flooriing. [Photo credit: Joanne Slanger]

We talked with those who had lost a lifetime's worth of possessions, who had been displaced for over a year, and in every case, gratitude was the first sentiment expressed. The stories were uplifting and the people faithful and inspiring -- ordinary people doing extraordinary acts of service. As with my time in Ghana, I came home humbled and inspired, and grateful to be associated with Episcopal Relief & Development, an organization that is dedicated to healing the broken areas in our world.

 

 

Capital Campaign

Any of you who have been involved with a capital campaign (and I'll bet that's a lot of you!) will know it's those last few dollars that are the hardest to come by. We are within $25,000 of our goal; anything you can do will be deeply appreciated!

If you have any questions please let us know.

Your pledge will help us upgrade the plumbing and electrical systems in the large house currently being used as the convent, help the sisters focus more deeply on our ministries here, and model good stewardship of the buildings in our care.

You can donate via PayPal here, or use one of the methods below.