Recently, the Rockland Congregational Church received extensive news coverage and comment regarding a family of two adults and three children found living on property owned by the church. Because arrests resulted from the situation, it was reported in the press. The reporting was limited, as were statements on behalf of the Church, in order to not sensationalize an unfortunate situation where a family that has been homeless needed help. The mission and covenant of the Rockland Congregational Church calls us to share and to help those in need whenever we can, and however we can. Finding those people in the woods behind the church has given us an opportunity to try to help them move their lives forward. Our pastor, Rev. Seth Jones, is involved in organized efforts to help people in need find food, shelter and support.  He has been working in that area for several years with the hearty support of our whole congregation.

The assistance provided by the Rockland Congregational Church to people in crisis takes many forms, including counseling, networking and, sometimes, financial support. We are limited in what we can do, and because all of the work we do in this way is of necessity done privately to respect the dignity of those involved, we understand when others who criticize us cannot understand the situation. Our church helps people one at a time, and each situation is unique. Yet, our limited ability to help is multiplied by our faith in the unlimited support of the One in whose name we gather. We take these responsibilities seriously, but also with great joy at what we can do in this troubled world.

Philip Anderson is president/moderator of the Rockland Congregational Church