Good Works, Inc. is a Christian home repair ministry located in Coatesville, Pennsylvania formed to assist economically disadvantaged homeowners in Chester County. By helping to make their homes warmer, safer and drier, hopelessness is replaced with the hope found in Jesus Christ. Services are provided at no cost to the homeowner, with volunteers - including a growing number of St. Peter's parishioners - doing most of the work. This is St. Peter's report for April 10, 2004.
Good Works Ministry for April 2004
By Roger Thorne, Work Crew Leader
St. Peter’s Good Works ministry is held on the second Saturday of every month throughout the year. For April, 2004 that meant Holy Saturday, April 10th. What better way to anticipate the resurrection of our Lord than working in the service of others in His name.
Since January 2004 the Good Works team from St. Peter's Church in the Great Valley have been simultaneously restoring two Coatesville residences; the home of Dr. Helen Butler, and the home of Mrs. Catherine Robinson. At the completion of every home renovation, Good Works traditionally holds a “Home Dedication”, giving thanks for His protection during the restoration and asking our Lord’s blessing on the home and its owners. So now, as the Butler project drew to completion, our first order of business for the April workday was to dedicate the home of Dr. Butler.
On this Holy Saturday, 12 volunteers, Good Works veterans all, gathered with Dr. Butler to review all that had been accomplished to make her home safer, warmer and drier, and to reflect on the relationships forged through common effort. After a prayer led by new Work Crew Leader Hugh Mc Lennan, Technical Coordinator Art Wrenn reviewed the dozens of safety and comfort improvements completed on this home. Several of our team members, including Sergio Vaisman, Gene Kiley and Tom Brehm shared personal recollections. Roger Thorne presented Dr. Butler with a Bible signed by our entire team, a hand-painted plaque, and a book by Josh McDowell entitled More Than A Carpenter. Karen Joyce closed with an expressive reading of Matthew 6:25-34, encouraging us all that our Heavenly Father will attend to both our physical and spiritual needs. Finally, a group photo was taken including Dr. Butler, all listed above, as well as the other team members Will Gallagher, Steve Rutherford, Brett Vaisman, Carl Weir, and Rob Wiltshire.
As an example of the integration of St. Peter’s Outreach ministries, Lori Wrenn, representing our Prayer Shawl Group, presented Dr Butler with a prayer shawl which was much appreciated and worn immediately. Dr Butler shared her life story with some of the group, and she indicated her wish to visit St Peter’s at a future date. Thanks be to God.