The Interfaith Climate Action Team includes representatives from 6 churches and the M.V. Hebrew Center.  Along with St. Andrew’s, the churches include: Grace Episcopal (Vineyard Haven), First Congregational (West Tisbury), Federated (Edgartown), Quaker (meets at St. Andrew’s), and Unitarian Universalist (Vineyard Haven).

 

Climate change impacts all of our lives in many ways, including the spiritual struggle of witnessing what we’ve done to the great gifts of God in our natural world and environment. This group focuses on the spiritual impact as well as adaptation and mitigation measures that can be undertaken by our members. The group is a very high-functioning organization that promotes sharing of means and measures among the member congregations. I have enjoyed serving as St. Andrew's first representative. In 2024, Donna Blackburn also began participating. 

 

I am awed by the parish cooperation. We use very little in the way of paper plates and plastic serving ware anymore.  Many of our parishioners enjoyed participating in the ICAT composting program, bringing food scraps to be picked up and delivered to IGI for composting. Most homes waste about 40% of food. Composting keeps this material out of the waste stream, saving money and emissions from off-island disposal. Unfortunately, IGI stopped accepting food scraps, and we had to suspend our collection program for now.  Hopefully, a solution will be found soon.  Watch for news! St. Andrew’s was able to continue to sponsor composting.  We purchased a “Mill” food composter for use by Harbor Homes in serving the homeless.  Harbor Homes staff and volunteers are very happy with the Mill they named  ”Chip”.

 

St. Andrew’s participated, with other faith organizations, in ringing our big bell to welcome the All-Island Climate Fair, where ICAT held a table.                                                           

I am very happy to represent you.  I have found the experience to be rewarding and enjoyable.  Thank you for the opportunity.

 

Jo-Ann Taylor

 

 

2023-2024 Harbor Homes Winter Shelter Shower and Laundry Program

 

 

 

Volunteers from Harbor Homes come to St. Andrews Mondays and Thursdays 2-4 pm to offer the Winter Shelter guests an opportunity to shower and take advantage of laundry service. These services are not available at their current home at MV Community Services. We have between 4-8 guests on average per day. Some of our guests work and are not able to access the services.

 

When guests arrive, we do a basic Covid check and take temperatures. Bags are checked in, pockets are emptied and dirty laundry gathers in the hamper. The laundry cycle starts at 2:10 sharp, and the guests take turns showering.  Some guests come only to shower, or only for laundry, while others come in to get out of the cold.

 

When available, we offer clean or new socks, new underwear, clothing and hygiene items. Our volunteers offer tea, coffee, hot cocoa, juice and/or snacks. These items are usually donated by our volunteers, or from the community and some are provided by Harbor Homes.

 

Once a week, Claire Markell and friend Craig donate their time and practice Reiki and gentle movement for our volunteers and guests. Other days, a nurse comes in to assess any medical concerns, Lisa Belcastro & Sharon Brown from Harbor Homes and Wendy Makada from Dukes County Benefits office check in with our guests to address needs and services.

 

We offer a safe, warm, relaxed atmosphere and shelter from the elements. It’s important for our guests to have a relaxed atmosphere where they just feel like the “average Joe” and not a charity case. Our guests greatly appreciate the services. We are so grateful to Father Chip, Heather Anne and St. Andrews for a full-service space!

 

Respectfully submitted,

Ilona Metell