Territory Clergy to support those traumatized
by Fort MacMurray fires

~ posted by Ken Gray to the Territory of The People website November 11, 2016

Six months after fires ravaged the town of Fort MacMurray Alberta, two Anglican clergy from the Territory of the People will travel to the still recovering community to offer support to both adults and children who remain traumatized by the events of May 2016.

The Revs. Danny Whitehead and Isabel Healy Morrow are both experienced clergy with strong pastoral gifts who also possess professional skills as social workers. At the invitation of the Bishop of Athabasca, the Rt. Rev. Fraser Lawton, and with the support of Bishop of the Territory of the People, the Rt. Rev Barbara Andrews (a former resident of Fort Mac).

The work is funded in part by the Diocese of Athabasca and through contributions from territory Anglicans to Bishop Andrews’ emergency response fund specially setup for this purpose.

When asked “why now” Bishop Andrews notes the longterm effects of trauma which continue well after the fires and initial re-settlement and the ongoing needs especially of children who see the lives of their families, church and community still in turmoil. Clergy are also fatigued.

Read more here.