Department of Christian Service and Humanitarian Aid meets
The Department of Christian Service and Humanitarian Aid (CSHA) of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), chaired by Donna Karabin, held its annual meeting at the OCA Chancery earlier this month. This is the first meeting since the department’s reorganization to include the programs of the former OCA Office of Humanitarian Aid. The agenda included a review of Parish Ministries Conference resource materials, ongoing projects, new initiatives and planning for the 15th All-American Council.
The keystone of CSHA is The Resource Handbook. New articles written by clergy and laity about their parish charitable outreach programs continue to be sought and readied for posting on the OCA website. Recent and upcoming articles add to the more than two-hundred sixty previous titles available to those looking for inspiring and instructional information for charity programs in their home parishes. Specific articles on Lenten service projects will be highlighted in March and April on the OCA homepage.
Other ongoing programs include the Handicapped Accessibility Project. This survey of parishes continues to identify those that are wheelchair accessible. The information will benefit the temporarily or permanently disabled and their caregivers when looking for an Orthodox Church.
Another program is the collaborative effort with the OCA Medical/Ethics Board to provide information to families and senior adults on complex medical and moral issues of our times.
The annual Christmas Stocking Project was discussed. Citing the high regard that many parishes and individuals have for the project, the extra joy it brings to many children who have little, the bonds of contact that are kept with the Orthodox churches who help distribute the gifts, and the work the project offers to the disabled clients who assemble the stockings here in the US, the consensus of the department members was that the Project be continued for another year. Other programs with national and international scope are the Gift of the Heart Health Kits and CROP Hunger Walks, in association with IOCC and Church World Service.
Under development are two additional programs. The department’s consultant for Orthodox Prison Ministry is available to give presentations to parishes, deaneries or organizations on programs for inmates and their families. A second initiative is the new Visitation Ministry, a direct product of the 2007 “Heart Assured: Works of Love in Deed and Truth” conference. CSHA and the Department of Institutional Chaplaincies are working together to establish guidelines for mentors and participants and to set up a pilot program.
The overall theme of the two-day meeting was “Our Role in the Reconciliation and Rebuilding of the OCA.” The members of the department believe that mutual service to one another within parishes, and charitable outreach to those in need serve as pillars of the Church. The department therefore recommits to its mission statement to provide resources and to promote parish and outreach ministries.
The Scripture reading selected for reflection on the theme was from the Old Testament story of Nehemiah, a lay leader at the time of the Jews’ return from Babylonian exile. When Nehemiah receives word of the distress of his people and the destruction of the wall of Jerusalem, he grieves and prays to God.
“...I sat down and wept and I mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of Heaven. And I said, ‘No indeed, O Lord, the mighty, the great and the awesome God of heaven, who keeps the covenant and mercy for those who love Him and keep His commandments. Let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, that you may hear the prayer of your servant which I pray before you now, day and night, for the children of Israel, Your servants…’”
(Nehemiah 1:4 - 6)
In his prayer and fasting, Nehemiah hears God’s call to lead the people to repent and rebuild. He receives the king’s necessary approval, then goes to survey the damage done. He speaks to the Jews, priests, nobles, officials, and workers:
“...You see the distress we are in, how Jerusalem is laid waste and its gates are destroyed with fire. Come and let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be a reproach. And I told them of the hand of God which is good upon me, and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me. So I said, ‘Let us rise up and let us build!’ And their hands were strengthened for good work.”
(Nehemiah 2:17 - 18)
As part of the theme of “Reconciliation and Rebuilding” the Department members passed a resolution, “to dedicate this Great Lent’s fasting and prayer, to repentance for our sins and weaknesses, personally and as a Church; to repentance, forgiveness, reconciliation and rededication to the up-building of the Orthodox Church in America. We invite our OCA brothers and sisters join with us in this effort.’