Diocesan Youth Take Part in World Vision's 30 Hour Famine

At Midnight on Friday, March 23 twenty-five young RI Episcopalians began a 30-hour fast to raise awareness and funds to help the hungry of this world.  As of this writing, their efforts have raised almost $7,000 in pledges which will be sent to World Vision to support children in the Horn of Africa. This fantastic endeavor will feed over 230 children for a period of 30 days.

Saturday at noon these youth from St. Luke’s in East Greenwich, St. John’s in Barrington, St. George's in Central Falls, and St. Peter’s-by-the-Sea in Narragansett began arriving at Christ Church in Westerly, the host parish for the event.  Another group of Diocesan youth met in Newport. 

At Christ Church Westerly they spent the day engaging in activities to raise their awareness of the reality of poverty and hunger which affects so many young people. The youths made a large banner proclaiming, “We will overcome hunger.”  Each youth placed a painted handprint on the banner signifying that our hands are the hands God uses to do his work in the world.

At 8:00 p.m. the Rev. Jim Bocchino celebrated Holy Eucharist with Mrs. Caryl Frink providing music for the service.  The Eucharistic table was covered with an altar cloth painted by the youth.  In place of a homily they were asked to reflect on and share how this experience was impacting their lives, and how it might continue to do so.  A movie was watched and all retired to their cots and sleeping bags. 

On Sunday morning they awakened to a breakfast of pancakes, fresh fruit and juice provided by the Christ Church Men’s club. 

Those taking part in the fast were:

From St. George's Central Falls: Jose Santos

From St. John's, Barrington: John Cavanaugh, Liz Pavant, Cassidy Costa, Chris Ray, Casey Turgeon, Abigail Ray, Julia Piper and chaperones Donna Casanova, Greg Piper and Tristan Tavares

From St. Peter’s-by-the-Sea: Lea Nelligan, Kathryn Casey, Megan O’Neill, Matt O’Neil and chaperone Linda O’Neill

From St. Luke’s, East Greenwich: Julia Godwell, Amber Perez, Irena Sparhawk and chaperone Balmore Alvarez ;

From Christ Church, Westerly: Kevin Knowles, Nate Cherenzia, Lexie Galluci, Joe Cherenzia, Maggie Spano, Annalise Roy, Greg Holt, Ashley Kiss, Peter Kelmelis, Grace Dunham, Heather Chipperfield and chaperones Rebecca Cherenzia, Judy Kelmelis, Trené Galluci, and the Rev. Jim Bocchino  

Shirley Andrews, Chris Ogley, Wendy Walsh, Mary Bonville and Emily Knowles from Christ Church served as nurses and activity leaders.