For Immediate Relase
 
August 11, 2010

“It Isn’t Easy Being Green”

Ecumenical Worship Service to Assist Gulf Coast Residents

A wide variety of Martha’s Vineyard Churches are planning an ecumenical worship service at the Tabernacle in Oak Bluffs, titled “It Isn’t Easy Being Green”, which will take place at 11:00AM on Sunday, September 5th, to celebrate the fragile beauty of Creation and to raise awareness and financial assistance for residents along the Gulf of Mexico whose livelihoods have been severely affected by the B.P. oil spill.

The Rt. Rev. Barbara C. Harris (http://www.edow.org/diocese/bishops/harris_bio.html), retired Suffragan (Assistant) Bishop of The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts will be the guest Preacher and Celebrant.  The service will feature a jazz ensemble under the leadership of Wes Nagy, Director of Music at Grace Episcopal Church, Vineyard Haven, and an all-Island community choir under the direction of Phil Dietterrich.

The free-will offering will be donated to Community Services of Louisiana to provide direct assistance in the form of food and fuel to fishermen and other workers whose livelihoods have been impacted or eliminated as a result of the oil spill.  Donation checks may be made out to ECSLA and brought to the Tabernacle the day of the event.

The worship service will be followed by a community picnic on the Tabernacle grounds with hamburgers, hot dogs and beverages provided. Attendees are asked to bring a summer dish to share if they are able, as well as blankets and/or lawn chairs to use during the picnic on the grounds.

Free tickets are available from the following sponsoring churches: Grace Episcopal Church, Vineyard Haven; Trinity Episcopal Chapel, Oak Bluffs; St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Edgartown; Trinity United Methodist Church, Oak Bluffs; West Tisbury Congregational Church; The Federated Church, Edgartown; The Unitarian Universalist Society, Vineyard Haven.

Other groups and businesses wishing to take part, donate food, participate or who are seeking additional information are asked to contact Rev. Robert Hensley at Grace Church, 508-693-0332 or via our contact form.