Written by: Phil Hallen, Vice President, EECM Board of Directors
On a superb sunny Sunday afternoon, members of EECM's Council of Congregations and Board of Directors gathered in the newly restored Victorian Gate House at Chatham College to celebrate the creation of a new Council and Board structure as a way of marking a forward step for EECM toward the challenges awaiting us as we enter the 36th year of service to the East End community. Mark Bibro, President of the Board, and Myrna Zelenitz, Executive Director, welcomed the group, and commented on the new energy generated by this reorganization (which took place in 2005), as well as the expanded role of the member congregations in planning and carrying out new programs and ideas for service to the neighbors we care for (blog to follow).
Pam Smith, a former client and present coordinator of EECM's PennFree program, spoke on the meaning of EECM’s program throughout her life and struggle with addiction, and how becoming a staff member has changed her life journey into one of hope and service to others. Her moving comments captured the history and the promise of our work, and the new beginnings being celebrated daily.
I likened the gathering and the location to what was a well-known part of Victorian family life at the turn of the century - visiting friends on Sunday afternoons to share conversation and refreshments. The fifty people gathered did just that, renewing friendships, sharing stories of the early days of EECM, remembering past volunteers and staff. I closed the afternoon with a toast, asking the gathering to join me in a poem used by fellow Pittsburgher, Larry Mellon, founder of Hopital Albert Schweitzer in Haiti, as a reflection on the way EECM could live out its vision of "United by Faith. Dedicated to Service.”
Go to the people
Live among them
Learn from them
Serve them
Plan with them
Start with what they know
Build on what they have
0 comments:
Post a Comment