In June, Deacons Peggy and Linda and our Community of Hope members were asked to help with an event (a multi-agency site called MARC for short) in Conway. Consequently, on June 24-25, thirteen volunteers, representing Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church along with members of the Episcopal Diocese of Arkansas Disaster Relief Team, partnered with other faith-based groups, community organizations, and governmental agencies to respond to needs of persons affected by historic flooding in the Faulkner County area. These volunteers delivered 90 hours of service over the two-day period and served at least 143 individuals and family members who attended the Conway “one-stop shop” or MARC (Multi-Agency Resource Center).
The mission of our Saint Peter’s group was and continues to be serving others through compassionate listening. Community of Hope members have received specialized training in the skills and practices of spiritual life to prepare them to respond in disaster relief efforts through the provision of pastoral care to those affected by the flooding disaster.
In addition, Walmart gift cards were distributed by volunteers as additional support towards recovery. The gift cards were made available through a national grant from Episcopal Relief and Development and Bishop Benfield. We recognized immediately the likelihood of a number of additional persons residing in Faulkner County who were not in attendance at the Conway MARC event. These individuals and families were in need of both short-and-long-term relief and recovery assistance.
The Saint Peter’s family and clergy are still helping some of those individuals. One Hispanic family was adopted by the Daughters of the King who gave them an additional Walmart Card as well as gathered school supplies for the children. The clergy are also trying to help a man and his wife who lost everything in a mobile home located at Toad Suck along the river. Please be on the lookout for how you can help this family in the near future.
Thank you, Saint Peter’s Family, for always being the congregation who welcomes the needy and downtrodden.
Grace and Blessings to all,
Linda+
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.Hebrews 13:2