The diocese’s second annual Jubilee Celebrates Africa party was just getting underway at the Church of Our Redeemer in Lexington on May 1 when the police showed up with a shut-down order.
The major water main break that for 2 1/2 days compromised the water supply for Boston and 29 other communities, including Lexington, had just happened, and the police were concerned about public health.
Even though Jubilee’s meal for 150 had been prepared elsewhere the day before and was known by organizers to be safe, it could not be served. The group was told it had to be out of the building by 7 p.m.
Still, about 80 people stayed, and in the time remaining, continued with the planned auction and sale of African handcrafts.
The dinner and auction event is the primary fundraiser for the diocese’s mission projects in East Africa devoted to health care, education and economic development.
“Church, we’re fasting tonight, but we’re also feasting,” Bishop Bud Cederholm told the group, according to the Rev. Maggie Geller, Jubilee’s coordinator.
“There was a lot of fellowship and rallying to support Jubilee,” she said. “People were faithful and generous.” She estimated that $10,000 was raised, about half of last year’s total.
“There are people in the world with real, lasting problems, so this was nothing in comparison,” she said.
The unserved food was donated to a shelter.
--Tracy J. Sukraw
Learn more about Jubilee Ministry’s work and how to support it at www.diomassjubilee.org.