WYPR: Local Church Attempts to Help Maryland Citizens Weather the Recession (2009-06-03)

Maryland is holding up better than the nation as a whole in this recession, but with unemployment approaching 7 percent, there's still pain. Thousands have lost jobs, or are enduring cuts in hours and pay, or have been forced into early retirement. The Episcopal Diocese of Maryland is looking for ways to lend a hand. WYPR's Georgia Samios reports.

Both clergy and lay people are gathered at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin in west Baltimore on this sunny Saturday. It's the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland's Summit on the City, and the focus is unemployment. The problem isn't confined to city limits, says the Right Rev. John Rabb, Bishop Suffragan of Maryland.

"The issues that concern urban American also concern rural America, small town America. It's not just a matter of the city. ..And some may say, well, what can the church do? We obviously aren't a job fair, we're obviously are not an employment agency. But we have, we believe significant resources that we can bring to bear."

That includes help with resumes, interviewing, networking and upgrading skills, Bishop Rabb says. More fundamentally, it's about creating communities of support, and hope, at a time when recession has pushed many to the brink.

"We have a lot of people who when they are faced with job loss, it's an economic tragedy.
But now it's becoming catastrophic for many people, because they don't have resources, and how we respond to that is going to be very critical."

The summit's co-planners come from different worlds. The Rev. Gerald "Jay" Collins is rector of St Mary's, a small, urban church a few blocks off North Avenue. The Rev. Charlie Barton is rector of St James, a large affluent parish in rural Monkton. What's the same, the two priests say, is the fear that grips those faced with job loss, and the need for help. Father Collins:

"This is what the summit is about - to develop ways of ministering to people in more than just saying, I'm sorry you lost your job. I'll pray for you,' but to also say I'm sorry you lost your job, I'll pray for you, and we will work on helping you in any way that we can."

That can include questions about identity and self-worth, says Father Barton.

"There s a great deal of pain and confusion people experience when they lose whatever it is they've been doing for a paycheck, but in that is an opportunity, because we can say to the person, Yes, you have the skills, you have the experience of fulfilling this particular function. But what else are you? Who else are you?' "

Carolyn Dillon is a human resources veteran. She came from Pittsburgh to describe the extensive Web site she created at her church. It's called the Career Corner @ Calvary. Less than a month old, it's already gotten results, she says.

"The Web site talks about where there are real jobs, right now, where there are likely to be opportunities for jobs some suggestion for people on how they might meet this crisis in their own families some suggestions on how to get a little extra money."

That's the kind of practical response people like Diane Tomlinson and Frank Coakley came to hear about. Tomlinson says people pass by her downtown church, Emmanuel Episcopal, daily asking for help.

"As a practical person, I'm looking for ways that we can actually help people instead of just talking about things, and be an advocate for change in people's lives ."

Coakley, who attends St. Mary's, echoes that sentiment.

"Prayer's good, but I think we need a little hands-on on this one."

Coming up with down-to-earth solutions for the unemployed fits in with the Church's tradition of ministering to people's material as well as spiritual needs, Bishop Rabb says.

"The Church has been doing this for centuries, and we just say, let's get back to doing what we're called to do."

With more than 200,000 Marylanders officially unemployed in April, and thousands more so-called discouraged workers not even counted, the Church has its work cut out for it.

I'm Georgia Samios, reporting in west Baltimore, for 88-1, WYPR.