Today there is a pair of stories about Episcopal churches working with other organizations to support both relief and medical efforts around the pandemic.
Trinity, Wall Street has given a large grant to Episcopal Relief & Development to assist with the organization’s ongoing work in 43 countries.
Episcopal Relief & Development and Trinity Church Wall Street are partnering on a response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The partnership, supported by a $1,021,683 grant from Trinity Church Wall Street, will reach an estimated two million individuals with expanded relief efforts and strengthened resilience activities.
“COVID-19 has had a profound impact on the communities where we work, both as an immediate health threat as well as a longer-term threat to the livelihoods and health of the vulnerable populations we serve,” said Rob Radtke, President & CEO, Episcopal Relief & Development. “We are deeply grateful for Trinity Church Wall Street’s generous support which will catalyze our efforts to respond to an increased number of vulnerable people around the world.”
The partnership is addressing the effects of COVID-19 in 43 countries, with a priority focus on Bangladesh, Brazil, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Madagascar, Pakistan, Philippines, Puerto Rico, South Africa, South Sudan and Sri Lanka. The specific priority countries were chosen in order to best leverage both organizations’ existing partnerships for the greatest long-term, sustainable results.
“Trinity believes it is our responsibility to help our brothers and sisters not just here in New York City, but those around the world who are harmed by the pandemic, especially those in the most vulnerable regions,” said the Rev. Phillip A. Jackson, Priest-in-Charge and Vicar of Trinity Church Wall Street. “We are proud to partner with Episcopal Relief & Development and know that through their network, millions of people in need will be helped.”
Local TV news in Baltimore reports that Christ Church in Columbia, Maryland is one of several area churches assisting with COVID-19 testing.
Howard County General Hospital is partnering with local churches to make more testing available to everyone.
Not only are they reaching more people, they are getting them their results lightning fast through Johns Hopkins rapid testing.
The first test site at a church in Columbia was this past Sunday. Members had results Monday.
“Our church is a Hispanic church,” says pastor Jose Ocasio of Iglesia de Dios Pentecostal MI. “Some of the people don’t have insurance. This was a very good help for our church.”
116 of their 400 members came out Sunday.
Pastor Ocasio says many may not have been tested otherwise.
“Probably not. They feel comfortable coming here because it was at the church, a place they know. I think it was easier for them to come,” he says.
…”The faith community has such a strong impact on health and advancing health,” says Elizabeth Edsall Kromm, vice president of population health and advancement at Howard County General Hospital.
“We’re targeting to do about one a week over the next several weeks. I don’t think there’s really an end in sight for it,” she says.
Photo: Trinity, Wall Street exterior, trinitywallstreet.org.