a publication of the episcopal diocese of rochester, ny

N ORTH EASTSeeds of Rural Ministry beginning to grow in LyonsBy Rolfi Elivo, RMM Outreach CoordinatorWith snow on the ground and a chill in the air most inWestern New York are not thinking about farms or ruralworkers. Yet even in the midst of winter there arefarm workers pruning trees, making repairs and gettingfarms and machinery ready for another growing season.Rural & Migrant Ministry (RMM) in Western New Yorkis also busy at this time of year continuing to build theprogram and infrastructure for the Liturgia WorkerEducation Center in Lyons, NY. This endeavor is inresponse to Bishop Singh’scall for creative and effectiverural ministry at the 2009 diocesanconvention. NortheastPartners in Episcopal Ministryand Grace Church, Lyonsentered into partnership withRMM to create the educationcenter in the former rectoryat Lyons in 2010. Beginninglast summer RMM’s OutreachCoordinator Rolfi Elivo hasbeen busy making contacts inthe labor camps from Sodus toGeneva.The successful 2010 SummerLeadership Day Camp formiddle school children providedexperiential learningand leadership training. Thisinitial experience has givenuseful ideas for changes andimprovements of the 2011Leadership Camp. This summer’scamp will be greatly assistedby the proceeds from the recent Benefit Concerthonoring the Rev. Don Hill’s fortieth anniversary ofordination.In August 2010 a Sunday Fiesta for the workersbrought together farm workers from various camps foran afternoon of music, fellowship, food and fun. And itwas an opportunity to meet and make connections withother workers and allies.The Liturgia Center has begun the Music for JusticeProgram which provides music instruction for farmworkers. These lessons provide something of value tothe workers as well as an opportunity for them to networkand make new connection with other workers andthe community. Rolfi Elivo is organizing the instructionand leading the Farm Worker Music Team whichplayed at the October Blessing of the Harvest at theFarmers Market in Lyons and at the Benefit Concertin January.Currently in process at Liturgia is the work of finishingthe second floor of the center so it can be an attractiveresidence for interns and for workers whileattending events. RMM isalso networking with othercommunity groups to find theway and the resources to beable to offer survival Englishinstruction for workers whoare not familiar with Englishto help them have basic skillsfor working and living in thearea. Liturgia will be seekingvolunteers in the Spring andSummer to provide this basicinstruction to area workers.Another program in the planningstages is a weekly dinnerat the Lyons Center withworkers being provided dinnerby churches and individuals,as a way to help peoplefrom the local community toget to know workers and puta human face on them. Thedinner program would alsogive the workers more connectionsand provide occasionalspeakers and programs on topics of vital interestto their health and quality of life.In the future other educational, health and legal resourceswill be put into place to provide those who growand harvest our food services they need to provide a lifeand a living for themselves and their families.The seeds are planted, the program is growing and wepray God will being in the bountiful harvest.The Rev. Rolfi Elivo is the Outreach Coordinator forRural and Migrant Ministry in Western New York11