2003 Awards

The Samaritan Community presented its Awards for 2002 at the Annual Meeting on March 20, 2003.

SAMARITAN SERVICE AWARD
Strawbridge United Methodist Church

The Reverend Robert Strawbridge, a Methodist layman from Carroll and Frederick counties established many Methodist churches for mission and ministry in those communities. The church that bears his name moved into its present building at Park Avenue and Wilson Street in 1881, but was actually established in 1849. In keeping with Reverend Strawbridge's focus and mission, today's congregation seeks to find ways of meeting the physical, economic and spiritual needs of residents of Bolton Hill, Reservoir Hill and other surrounding communities.

Under the able leadership of Ms. Susie Hatch, The Bread of Life Food Pantry is open twice each week and provides free food and clothing to low-income families. On Saturdays, Mrs. Bonnie Hoback from Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church operates The Thrift Shop at Strawbridge. It offers low cost household items, small furniture, jewelry, glassware and other necessary items for sale. Church members assist both these outreach efforts in a variety of ways.

Strawbridge frequently offers its facilities for community events, discussions, and public affairs forums. In addition to Strawbridge's own schedule of services, The Christian Heritage Catholic Church also worships at the church each Sunday. An interdenominational Bible Study is offered 32 weeks a year.
We would like to recognize The Reverend Mary Worrel, Ms. Susie Hatch, Mrs. Bonnie Hoback and all the volunteers from Strawbridge United Methodist Church for their generous service on behalf of this and neighboring communities.

Presenter
Daniel Gilbert, President of the Mount Royal Improvement Association

SAMARITAN EMPOWERMENT AWARD
Episcopal Housing Corporation

The Episcopal Housing Corporation was founded in 1995 to involve the Episcopal Church in ministry to develop low-income housing. It "responds to God's call to help people limited by income, economic injustice, or special needs to live in housing where community sustains them in dignity."* It forms community partnerships in which it assists in financing and building housing to which local groups are committed.
EHC is involved in projects as small as the renovation of a single house and as large as several blocks in the Collington Square community. It works with neighborhood associations, parishes, and non-profits such as Sandtown Habitat for Humanity and Episcopal Social Ministries. We are grateful to Dan McCarthy and the EHC for crucial help with financing, renovation, and legal requirements for our Samaritan Residence that opened 3 years ago. The residence provides a home for 4 individuals who live as a family.

EHC's activities go well beyond "bricks and mortar." Its staff members spend significant amounts of time on community building and organization, making sure that representatives of the community are always involved in developments. And its building is not always residential: the future Pimlico Road Arts and Community Center originates in the dreams of two small churches in Park Heights.

May the great work of EHC continue and grow.
* EHC Mission Statement

Presenter
The Rt. Rev. John L. Rabb is Bishop Suffragan of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland

SAMARITAN ADVOCACY AWARD
Jonah House

Jonah House is a nonviolent resistance community, currently located on the grounds of a West Baltimore cemetery. It was founded by Philip Berrigan and Elizabeth McAlister 30 years ago. Jonah House is a sister community and companion to many Catholic Worker Houses on their journey toward peace and justice. This group has developed a theology of resistance to the war culture and economic injustice. They are firmly rooted in the Gospels. Daily prayer and reflection, Sunday liturgies and retreats form the spirituality of Jonah House. They also bring together a larger community called the Atlantic Life Community. They live simply. They are prophets in our world of nuclear madness.

Presenter: Willa Bickham
Willa Bickham and Brendan Walsh founded Viva House 35 years ago. Viva House is a Catholic Worker House of hospitality and resistance in Southwest Baltimore, and is sister community to Jonah House. Catholic Workers are committed to works of mercy and confront the works of war.