MILLBROOK — Rain did not dampen the enthusiasm shown at the Millbrook Library on Saturday, Oct. 14, as patrons visited the many exhibits set up in the lobby and gallery at the second annual Volunteer Fair.
Library director Courtney Tsahalis and her staff were pleased with the turnout, which began at 11 a.m. and ended at 1:30 p.m. The event was designed to help those who are interested in volunteering meet some of the people and the organizations that need their help in areas including animal care, local ecology, food banks, immigration services and literacy.
A huge red fire truck welcomed visitors, and personnel of the Millbrook Fire Department (MFD) and the Rescue Squad greeted them, and they explained what their work entails, showing some of the equipment they use in their lifesaving work. MFD Vice President Kara Granger was there, with, among others, Beattie Hays, MFD’s education officer.
The Millbrook Rotary Club exhibit was situated near the Community Fridge in the library lobby, reminding all that the club had been instrumental in getting that up and running. Rotary member Stacey Langenthal ran the table.
The Dutchess Land Conservancy was situated on the library porch, and Julie Hart, at the table, said it is actively seeking volunteers in trail development, preservation and maintenance. It also seeks those who can educate, lead, and are interested in outreach. Photography and videography skills are always needed, as are those who are willing to collect data, and work in administration.
North East Dutchess Immigrant Services had fliers that told what its greatest needs are. It is looking for Hispanic culture foods and essential foods; Maseca flour, vegetable oil, white rice, dry black peas, plain oatmeal, corn tortillas, canned corn (no other vegetables, please) and the seasonings cilantro, cumin, paprika.
Also needed are razors, toothbrushes and paste, shampoo, body wash, dish and laundry detergent, toilet paper, and lightly used or new winter clothing, especially for children ages 4-10. The drop-off location is Grace Church, 3330 Franklin Ave. Mark Clizbe, program director, and Ben York, operations coordinator, manned the booth.
Compassionate Animal Rescue Efforts of Dutchess County attended with three volunteers as well as three kittens and three puppies. The organization is available for adoptions, animal rescue and wildlife rehabilitation. Located in Wappingers Falls, it is a nonprofit pet adoption agency that provides temporary shelter and medical care for stray and abandoned animals in the Poughkeepsie area.
Hope Rising Farm provides equine-assisted services to all at its therapeutic riding center, a 501(c)(3). for adults and children of all abilities located in Amenia. Sheila Rabideau provided the information.
Angels of Light is looking for gifts for children, sippy cups, coloring books, crayons, pacifiers, pajamas and sketchbooks, for newborns to youth age 18, said director Lori Decker. It gives gift bags to children in six local hospitals. Donations and volunteers are always welcome at Angels of Light, whose base is at 28 Front St.
Friends of the Millbrook Library Sharon Mahar and Joan Burgess were looking for volunteers in helping them serve others in hospitality, events, public relations and fundraising. Helping the community in various ways, including pool and museum passes, candy and book giveaways, adult literacy programs, and voter registration, it has given the Millbrook Library a front-entrance renovation, chairs, paintings, a sound system and projector remote to aid in its many programs.
St. Thomas Episcopal Church Food of Life/Comida de Vida Pantry serves eastern Dutchess County and northwest Litchfield County in Connecticut. Gifts large and small from individuals, both in money and in-kind, are hugely important foundation for the pantry’s operations. Helen Hale, Christine Birnbaum, John Sheedy and Maire Sheedy handed out information.
Literacy Connections of the Hudson Valley Inc. helps adults and families to become functionally literate. The exhibit was handled by Barbara June, who said it helps with basic reading, English as a Second Language, and also volunteer by reading aloud, working with individual students in math and reading, and creating positive experiences between children and books.
In attendance at the Millbrook Library’s Volunteer Fair on Saturday, Oct. 14, was the St. Thomas Episcopal Church Food of Life/Comida de Vida Food Pantry with, from left, Helen Haye, Barbara Birnbaum, John Sheedy and Maire Sheedy, 13. So far this year, the pantry has given out 115,902 meals. Judith O’Hara Balfe
"They had this in mind from last year," girls varsity head coach Les Funk of Pine Plains said. Funk said the young team wanted the sectional title and "never gave up," until they won it Wednesday, March 5, at Mount Saint Mary College.Photo by Nathan Miller
Naveah Rennie, no 34 of Pine Plains, was the Bombers' dominant scorer, racking up 20 points by the end of the matchup against S.S. Seward Institute during the Section IX Class C finals at Mount Saint Mary College on Wednesday, March 5.Photo by Nathan Miller
Lent: Time to consider social gospel movement
We are entering the annual Christian season of Lent this week.With its 40 days of contemplation and “little Easter” Sundays, it is a time to remember the healing ministry and the sacrifice of Jesus.During this season, we are invited to think deeply about our role as agents of grace and love in our hurting world.
There is a long history of making sacrifices and commitments for Lent, modeling our discipleship and hopes for a more heavenly world. It is through this lens that I invite you to join us in considering what gifts and services the community needs that we can commit to bringing forth in the weeks leading up to Easter.While many lean into solitary introspection during Lent, it may be particularly advantageous to use our meditations and sacrifices for the greater good this year.
John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, advised his followers centuries ago that “The gospel of Christ knows of no religion, but social; no holiness but social holiness. Faith working by love is the length and depth and breadth and height of Christian perfection.”These words are connected to the firm belief of Wesley that a Methodist was fundamentally one who loved God with all their heart, mind, strength, and soul, along with loving one’s neighbor as oneself.He believed that being in love with God naturally also required loving other people, as every person was a beloved soul coming from the same source of life that we are.
Consequently, Wesley stood against slavery long before it was a popular view, prioritized caring for those who were poor and imprisoned, and made a point to do good to as many as he could for as long as he was physically able.
Indeed, the Methodists are not the only Christians who believe such things.These thoughts are primary messages of the Christian faith.In more recent history, we can note that during the time of the Golden Age, at the end of the late 19th century, the Christians mobilized to counteract the abject poverty, child labor, dangerous working conditions, and lack of education of the time.Famous theologians such as Washington Gladden, Walter Rauschenbusch, and W.E.B. DuBois began the Social Gospel movement, enacting with new verve the passion of Christ that empowers the community toward building the Kingdom of God.As Christians, they believed in uplifting the downtrodden and creating a community where all had a chance to thrive.Child labor laws were enacted, better working conditions were secured, Sunday School helped provide education, settlement houses were created, and the Salvation Army was born.
The social gospel movement continued in another wave of reforms and empowerment through the Civil Rights era.Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his intellect, energy, and life to help secure the reforms that enabled persons of color to vote, go to non-segregated schools, and have the right to share public spaces without discrimination.Like Christ, he paid the ultimate price for his prophetic vision.However, his impact on our society was formidable, lasting far beyond his short lifetime.
As Christians, it is very clear what to do in times of hardship, crisis, or challenge.Throughout the centuries, our call has been to help heal the world, doing whatever we can to uplift and transform loneliness into community, reminding each one how precious they are and how important it is to unite for the sake of the whole.Individually, the challenges can be overwhelming, even too much to bear.Collectively, we can do all things through the One who strengthens us.As they say, “We have the receipts!” We can do it again.
This Lent, let us give up our pessimism and fear, replacing it with a commitment to community and hope.Yes, things can seem dreadful, but our souls are not served by allowing ourselves to descend into the dark.We are keepers of the light.Let us do all within our power to create brightness so that its warmth may strengthen all as we live into the Social Gospel movement for our time.Chin up, friends, we can do this.We simply must be willing to get serious about doing it together.
Rev. Dr. Anna Crews Camphouse is pastor of Canaan, Lakeville, Millerton, and Sharon United Methodist Churches
Lead Pastor of the Northwestern Hills Cooperative
Parish UMC