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Dec 12, 2012

New Jersey Episcopalians Still Countering Sandy's Wrath

[Episcopal News Service] While Hurricane Sandy dealt a devastating blow to homes, businesses and church buildings six weeks ago on the night of Oct. 29, Episcopal Church congregations along the New Jersey Shore have been determined since the first hours after the storm to care for their communities and help them rebuild.

 

They are doing so, in many cases, with help from congregations farther west in the diocese where the damage from Sandy was less severe. And many churches are working in their communities through already-established or new, post-Sandy ecumenical ties.

 

In Point Pleasant Beach, for instance, the Roman Catholic parish became a center for clothing distribution when its priest suggested to the Rev. C. John Thompson-Quartey, rector of St. Mary’s by the Sea Episcopal Church, that division of duties. St. Mary’s is already known in the community for the St. Gregory’s Pantry, which operates out of the church. Point Pleasant Presbyterian has become the coordination point for work teams coming into town to help with long-term recovery.


A statue of Jesus appears to be keeping watch over donated food in the boiler room of St. Mary’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey. ENS photo/Mary Frances Schjonberg

 

“Each church finds [itself] doing something unique and different that they didn’t anticipate prior,” said Thompson-Quartey, who said he told a recent meeting of the local ministerium that “sometimes God throws us a curve ball and creates opportunities for ministry in the midst of that.”All ministerium members agreed, he said, that “they displayed skills they didn’t think they had. One person said, ‘I’m now an expert on mold. If you ever want to talk about mold and drying, I’m your guy.’”

 

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