 Do not just listen to God's Word, do what it says." These words in the opening chapter of the book of James are the motto for St. James Church. The Fellowship of the Carpenter group seeks to take these words to heart. God is calling us to help one another. We seek to do that in many ways, especially in the area of disaster relief. When upheaval comes in the form of a hurricane, tornado or flood, our goal is to make a rapid and ongoing response. Over the years, we have been to various locations in the United States as well as in Puerto Rico, South Africa, and Sierra Leone. In fact, to date members and friends of St. James have been to 14 different locations and been involved in a total of over thirty trips.
Fellowship of the Carpenter is able to carry out this work because of the following:
God's Call
God is calling us to this ministry. We do not seek to do this work for our own glory, but because God has asked us to be a presence in people's lives. It is God who gives us the strength and ability to carry out this vital work. We simply seek to be the Body of Christ in our world.
Individual Commitment
People of all skills and talents are invited to be a part of the Fellowship of the Carpenter. We have people who work and have worked as professional carpenters, as well as people who have never swung a hammer. All people have something to offer to this work. In fact, training people in building skills is a big part of the Fellowship of the Carpenter. There is a core
group of individuals who are involved in most of the trips. We also have large numbers of people who have joined us on these trips. There are members of St. James as well as their friends and family members. At times we join up with other churches and groups to make a big impact in the work being accomplished.
Community of Faith Support
St. James Church has been a tremendous support to our work. Following Hurricane Katrina a plea for support was put out and in one Sunday over $8,000.00 was received to be used to purchase a tool trailer and supplies that were needed. That allowed us to make eleven trips to help pick up the pieces after that devastating storm. And the support goes far beyond just
financial resources. The community of faith is always in prayer as we and head out to do our work. Those prayers are felt as we tire out from our work, but know that many people are working behind the scenes to support our efforts.
You Can Help
Have you ever wondered how you can help following a disaster? The Fellowship of the Carpenter invites you to join us in our endeavors. You can help in any and all of the following ways:
Pray for our work
Join us on a future trip.
Support our work with a financial gift.
Together we can continue to make a vital difference in the lives of others. And, as we touch the lives of others, our own lives will be changed.
Past Work
Hurricane Andrew - 1993 & 1994
Homestead, Florida
Habitat for Humanity - 1995
Syracuse, New York
Habitat for Humanity House Blitz - 1995
Harrisburg, PA
Habitat for Humanity Presbyterian House - 1996
Harrisburg, PA
Camp Wilmont - 1996
North Wilmont, New Hampshire
Hurricane George - 1999
Ponce, Puerto Rico
Children's Home - 1999 & 2000
Sierra Leone, Africa
Habitat for Humanity Presbyterian House - 2001
Harrisburg, PA
Hurricane Charlie - 2005
Punta Gorda, Florida
Hurricane Katrina - 2005 & 2006
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Ten trips
Chance Orphanage - 2006 & 2008
Johannesburg, South Africa
Sizanani Project - 2006 & 2008
Johannesburg, South Africa
Hurricane Katrina - 2006
Covington, Louisiana
Flood Relief - 2007
Roscoe, New York
Four trips
Resources
Fully Equipped Tool Trailer with nail guns for framing, finishing, and roofing, ladders, generators, compressors, hand and power tools of all types, chain saws, wheel barrows, table saw, chop saws, and various other tools accumulated over the years. Four 30' travel trailers which allow us to make rapid response as well as long term housing for work teams. One trailer is used as a kitchen and command center, the other three for sleeping and showering. Each trailer is fully equipped with refrigerator, freezer, microwave, stove, oven, shower and full bath, and can be self sufficient for days at a time when water and electric are not available.
Email Contacts
Rev. James Reitz (stjamesminister@verizon.net) Church Office (stjamesoffice@verizon.net).
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