From: "Saved by Windows Internet Explorer 8" Subject: Faith community gears up for disaster Date: Sat, 1 May 2010 08:41:46 -0600 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/related; type="text/html"; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_0000_01CAE90A.221EF780" X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.0.6002.18005 This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0000_01CAE90A.221EF780 Content-Type: text/html; charset="utf-8" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: http://www.calgaryherald.com/Faith+community+gears+disaster/2974180/story.html =EF=BB=BF
The idea to establish Bridges of Love came to Marg Pollon a few years = ago out=20 of a book she was reading.
It was called The Church of Irresistible Influence and was written by = a=20 pastor in Little Rock, Ark.
"The whole book, every chapter starts with a bridge story and talks = about the=20 different bridges that have been made and the structure. And then they = go into=20 how churches need to be bridge builders into their communities, to build = those=20 relationships of love that perhaps we haven't been as strong as in the = last=20 years," says Pollon, who has been working on the local organization for = the past=20 six years.
"So it's just a matter of building bridges, no matter if it's in the = church=20 or in the public sector or wherever it is. It's building relationships = of trust=20 across the different sectors so that we can work together and complement = one=20 another so that we're not in competition."
Bridges of Love's mandate is to prepare the faith community to stand = in the=20 gap in the event of a disaster. Pollon says this is a wonderful = opportunity for=20 churches to care for their communities.
Its latest project is May 8 as it presents its Carpe Vita (Seize the = Life)=20 benefit auction for Haiti. This takes place during Emergency = Preparedness Week.=20 The auction will raise funds for the continuing relief and recovery = efforts of=20 Samaritan's Purse in Haiti plus emphasize the importance of emergency=20 preparedness.
"I came across Carpe Vita in a book written by Chuck Swindoll called = Living=20 Beyond the Level of Mediocrity," says Pollon. "Chuck told the story of = Moses and=20 how he asked the people to give their finest when God asked him to build = a=20 tabernacle in the desert. The people gave their best and so abundantly = he had to=20 say 'that's enough.'
"This was my desire for this event. For me, Carpe Vita symbolizes = those who=20 wish to make a difference in helping others and truly live to serve with = God's=20 love."
The benefit auction will take place May 8 from 7 to 10 p.m. at = Samaritan's=20 Purse, 20 Hopewell Way. N.E. It will feature Jim (Bearcat) Murray as = emcee and=20 auctioneer. The Corpus Christi Male Chorale will be showcasing its = talents.
For more information, check out the organization's website at=20 www.bridgesoflove.net.
Also from 2 to 4 p.m. that day a series of emergency preparedness = sessions=20 will be held by Briden Solutions while Public Safety Canada and Alberta = Health=20 Services provides emergency resources.
And Bridges of Love will be on hand to offer information on the Faith = Emergency Preparedness Initiative.
"It started out to connect the church with the community," says = Pollon of=20 Bridges of Love. "I felt, being a church-goer, that we were becoming = very=20 inwardly focused. . . .
"Four years ago we started working on a plan to mobilize the churches = across=20 Canada to be ready to stand in the gap in the event of a pandemic. So, = little=20 did we know that we would have a real-life scenario this past year."
The organization put on a summit two years ago inviting the public = sector to=20 be part of this.
From that, a coalition was formed. Now an advisory council continues = with=20 Pollon as the coordinator. It encompasses representatives from public = safety and=20 health organizations to people in the Christian community.
"We're breaking down barriers and building trust between the sectors, = so it's=20 been good," she says.
In Calgary, about 45 churches have so far signed on to the = project.
Pollon believes that in a time of disaster and tragedy, a grassroots = response=20 by faith-based organizations focusing on people living in the same area = as the=20 people they serve could have the greatest impact.
"These people have first-hand knowledge of their own community and = the=20 commitment necessary for a response offering hope and healing," says = Pollon.=20 "The church community, an often underutilized group, cannot only provide = needed=20 services, but can do so in an environment of love and support.
"Could you imagine the positive impact the faith sector could have if = properly integrated, trained and coordinated?"
Pollon says that as faith communities are trained and mobilized, they = will=20 know their roles and responsibilities and will act according to the = needs of the=20 people.
"Helping others in times of natural chaos or in urgent emergencies is = indeed=20 a privilege that runs through the hearts, minds and spirits of these - = she=20 says.
"Faith-based organizations have historically stepped in to fill the = gaps when=20 disasters have overwhelmed the existing disaster response resources. = They have=20 provided shelter, food, medical services, hygiene services, mental = health,=20 spiritual -physical reconstruction, transportation, children's services = and case=20 management. It would be a great asset for faith-based organizations to = be=20 included in planning, co-ordination, integration, training - exercises = as they=20 make a significant contribution when there is an overwhelming need."
mtoneguzzi@theherald.canwest.com