National and Global Ministries
New Orleans Disaster Relief. Three mission trips to New Orleans have been conducted over the past two years, There were two adult trips and one youth journey. Gutting and rebuilding houses was the physical work involved, but the real labor was rebuilding lives. This is truly "resurrection work", and we have been privileged to participate in it.
Community of the Cross of Nails. At the beginning of World War II, Coventry, England, and her Cathedral were fire-bombed by the Germans. Near the end of the war the City of Dresden was fire-bombed by the Allies. Following the war, Christians in both communities reached out to one another to break the cycle of violence and revenge by seeking for reconciliation. Centered at Coventry Cathedral, the Community of the Cross of Nails (CCN) promotes reconciliation efforts throughout the world. They have reached out to people in Hiroshima, Japan, Northern Ireland, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, the Holy Land, Cuba, and Iraq.
Christ Church was recognized as a Centre of Reconciliation in the late 1970’s for work in Dayton on racial reconciliation. We continue as a Centre and pray weekly for other centres around the world. Our Chapel is the “Chapel of Reconciliation.” The chapel cross and our processional cross are crosses of nails formed with square, forged nails taken from the ruins of the 14th Century Coventry Cathedral following its destruction.
Miami Valley Episcopal Russian Network (MVERN). Along with eleven other Episcopal parishes and one Orthodox congregation, Christ Church is a member of MVERN. This is a companion relationship with St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Parish in Sablino, Russia, which is near St. Petersburg. A rich relationship has evolved from youth and adult exchanges and visits, financial support for community ministries in Sablino, and expert consultations to assist in the establishment of AA and adult educational programs there. We also support an orphanage, community center and chaplaincy at Russia’s largest women’s prison. Numerous Christ Church travellers to Sablino have helped to build and landscape the Church and community center.
Sierra Leone. Christ Church became involved with Sierra Leone through a member of our parish who is a native of that land. In 1988, the Society for the Advancement of Culture and Welfare in Sierra Leone (SACSL) was organized with members of Christ Church and others in Dayton. More formal ties between Christ Church and St. George’s Cathedral began in 1992. Initially the relationship involved exchanges of letters and visits back and forth.
Connections were established with the Cathedral School where a eight-foot perimeter wall was built with funds raised in Dayton. In 1995, a new school was built at a cost of $95,000. The school serves 1600 students, with 104 scholarships provided by members of Christ Church annually. The school has historically educated the leadership of the church, state, and other institutions in Sierra Leone.
Kenya. The Sule Foundation ministers in Nyobera, Kenya, caring for A.I.D.S. orphans, providing H.I.V./A.I.D.S. education, and promoting economic development. Through special offerings and many individual and family gifts, Christ Church people have supported students, providing scholarships and other assistance in Nyobera. Members of the Sidigu family (Kenyans living in Dayton and members of Christ Church) have been instrumental in advocating for care of the orphans. Recent political turmoil and violence in Kenya has closed schools and caused many to flee the country. Our work with the orphans is on hold at the moment. The next few months will require us to discern how we can be most effective and helpful in the midst of a very fluid and changing reality. Many members of the Sidigu family have fled the country out of fear for their lives. We pray for them and are searching for ways to be of concrete assistance.