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Featured in the July 29, 2010 edition of the eNewsletter...

A Message from Karen Carns
Deacon

When planning to retire in May 2008 I knew I wanted to take the summer off, visit grandchildren, and then begin some serious volunteering come September. Little did I know an August article in the church bulletin would appeal for help at The Parsonage, a branch of Love INC of Greater Hershey. Since I knew nothing about The Parsonage or Love INC, I made the call to find out more information.

Responding to that request was the beginning of another great experience in my life’s journey. It has been a blessing in my life but I hope much more of a blessing in the lives of our guests. Our guests are families with a loved one in the heart/vascular, transplant, oncology or hematology units at the Hershey Medical Center. This is where The Parsonage comes on board and provides short-term accommodations to families in a relaxed, tranquil, and peaceful setting. 

The ministry to guests from check-in to check-out includes listening to ‘their story’, hand holding through tears and concerns, and praying together in a welcoming atmosphere. We also have guest care volunteers who meet with, pray with, and offer support at the hospital to our guest families and the patient. Our guests support each other as well, sharing stories, joys and tears, transportation, and meals. Our ‘elves’ (volunteers) clean a specific area of the house every day of the week, as well as turn over a room when vacated, so it is fresh and welcoming to our new guests. Lodging is on a referral basis from a Care Coordinator, Social Worker, or Chaplain, based on availability.

God’s hand has been in this project from the time Spring Creek Church of the Brethren offered their unoccupied parsonage for use.  The four-bedroom house is furnished with all donated items by the 15 participating churches, including linens, foods and snacks. THANKS DERRY for all your contributions. If a guest is there for an extended period of time, we launder their linens if they put them out, returning them to their door the same day.

On a recent day, a new guest came over to register and was in a hurry to get back to be with her husband. Upon arrival, she mentioned she was ‘frazzled’, tired and lonely. She and I talked and prayed together for a few minutes. As she went to her room, I suggested she take a few minutes to relax before returning to the hospital. A while later she came downstairs, refreshed, looking so much better, and stated she no longer felt alone. We talked some more, and she even took a little time to go over to the outlets. The rest of her stay was filled with the warmth of other guests and God’s arms around her. This is just one example of many love stories we hear.

When God places people in your life who are in need, He is aware of what they lack and He has given you the resources to meet those needs. This is evidenced by the 65-70 elves who spend a few hours each month at The Parsonage, giving their time to help another, and bearing another’s burden as stated in Galatians 6:2, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” When God knocks, listen: offer a ride, deliver a meal, say a prayer for the sick and their families, weed flower beds, be an elf or house manager, even a substitute! Just like God has miraculously provided for your needs, it may be that He has been purposefully building things into your life so that you can now be the kind of person who will help carry the burdens of others.

Editor's Note: Besides Karen, seven Derry members are currently helping out at The Parsonage: Wendy Azzara, Julie Harris, Betty Simmers, Joan Smith, Denise Rix, Ellen Wargo and Jeff Williams. More volunteers are needed: contact Karen Carns for details.