Area church members using coronavirus crisis to practice what is preached | Nancy Eshelman

Epiphany Lutheran Church

Over at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Harrisburg, volunteers have been set up to observe social distancing in the sewing room. About 10 church volunteers have made and distributed 200 washable masks to three senior residences for use by staff and others.

While talking to a pastor’s wife the other day, she said to me, “Some people prefer to hear the gospel and some people prefer to do the gospel.”

Molly Wirick, whose husband Pat is pastor at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Lower Paxton Twp. wasn’t implying that one path is better. It’s simply a preference, she said, and one that is obvious during the current pandemic.

Many people who prefer doing the gospel are finding the means through volunteer activities at local churches. In fact, so many people want to help that some local pastors say volunteers outnumber the need.

But that could change.

Scott Kelly, pastor at Community Alliance Church in Swatara Twp., noted we are still in the early stages of this crisis, and he expects needs will grow as time passes.

His church has two forms on its website (cacharrisburg.org/covid-19-assistance/), one for people who need assistance with errands and another for those willing to help them.

To date, he’s seen more volunteers than people asking for help. His church is trying to spread the word that volunteers will pick up groceries or medicines, drop off meals or undertake outdoor projects. Their target is senior citizens or anyone with medical conditions or other needs.

Grace United Methodist Church in Lemoyne also is linking volunteers with people in the community who need help with errands and such. Pastor Jason Schwartzman also has more volunteers than tasks.

Grace United Methodist Church

Grace United Methodist Church in Lemoyne is serving up brown bag lunches from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays. Each bag contains a sandwich, side and dessert.

“It’s amazing how quickly people volunteer because people want to do something,” he said.

The Lemoyne church also is serving up brown bag lunches from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays. Each bag contains a sandwich, side and dessert.

Although they are free to anyone who needs or wants them, Schwartzman said people should call or email the church ( 717-763-7632 or www.graceumlemoyne.org/lunch) to reserve the lunches so volunteers know how many to prepare.

Over at Epiphany Lutheran Church, volunteers have been in the sewing room rather than the kitchen.

Molly Wirick said sewing for missions has been a routine activity for some of the church members for years. When the sewers heard that several local senior residences were in need of masks, they quickly switched their focus.

In a room set up to observe social distancing rules, about 10 church volunteers have made and distributed 200 washable masks to three senior residences for use by staff and others.

Wirick said they are offering masks to members of the congregation and any others who want or need them. She noted that Joann Fabrics has instructions for making masks on its website (www.joann.com) and a nationwide goal of having volunteers make 100 million masks countrywide.

While they are contributing to that effort, the church ladies add something extra to the masks they make.

“We pray over them as we make them,” Wirick said.

It never hurts, after all, to add an extra layer of protection.

NANCY ESHELMAN: columnist1@verizon.net

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