Virginia Episcopalian Magazine Spring 2012 Issue | Page 18

IT TAKES A DIOCESE

Funding for earthquake repairs
FRANCES CALDWELL

What will it take to help our community in
the Diocese of Virginia recover from major
earthquake damage, to see their spaces
brought back to health?

August 23, 2011 was a beautiful, sun-filled day when
the earth began to move in central Virginia. The windows
rattled, the ground rumbled and the phone rang on my
desk at Mayo House. A voice said, “Mom, I think we’re
having an earthquake. I’m on the 53rd floor in my New
York office building, and I can see us swaying.” While
most of us were identifying what was happening,
some of us knew quickly how that day was changing
church buildings and church families in our diocese.

Together, four of our historic churches
sustained $800,000 in damages. Four churches
shared their shock, their damages, their fears
and their hopes with their diocese and the Jessie
Ball duPont Fund. The duPont Fund listened to
the stories and responded with a grant of $100,000 to the
Diocese of Virginia to be used to help the four churches –
Aquia, Stafford; St. George’s, Fredericksburg; St. Peter’s,
Port Royal; and St. Stephen’s, Culpeper – make their repairs.
The only stipulation was that the duPont Fund money must
be matched dollar for dollar.

So what will it take? It will take each and every one of us
writing checks. Together we will match the $100,000 from
the Jessie Ball duPont Fund. We know how to help people
who suffer from disasters and this is our opportunity to help
our own family here in Virginia. Thankfully, our families are
safe and sound in mind, spirit and body, and we are blessed
for that. Now is the time to help them rebuild their churches.
HERE’S WHAT IT WILL TAKE:
Your prayers
Your generosity
Your checkbook

Imagine if we received 20,000 checks, one per household.
Imagine if you were a part of rebuilding our churches in 2012.
Imagine if you sent a check in gratitude for our churches’
safety and the Jessie Ball duPont Fund’s belief that together
we can make a difference.

Send your check now to Virginia Earthquake Relief using
the envelope in the center of this magazine. You can also
donate online at thediocese.net. t

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VIRGINIA EPISCOPALIAN / Spring 2012

Photos: Frances Caldwell

(Top–bottom)
St. Stephen’s, Culpepe