November 30th, 2013

By now, few in our area are unaware of the tragic fire at St. Paul's By-the-Sea Episcopal Church on Tuesday, which resulted in loss of life, injury, and damage to the property. We pray for comfort and peace for all those affected.  We deeply mourn the loss of Father David Dingwall, our parish priest and rector, who was a driving force behind the formation of The Red Doors Community Center at St. Paul's By-the-Sea, the newest outreach of the church where he served as rector.  He referred to St. Paul's By-the-Sea as "One Church, Three Ministries" that "Feeds People in Body, Soul, and Spirit".  This refers to the various ways SPBTS is vital in the greater Ocean City community; some examples of this would be feeding the spirit in the worship community of the church, feeding the body through the food and clothing ministry of The Shepherd's Crook, and feeding the soul through creative and educational enrichment offered at The Red Doors.  In the past week, the outpouring of support from the community has been heartwarming, and it is apparent how St. Paul's By-the-Sea has touched the lives of so many in our community through one way or another.  I recognize that many of you share in our grief this week, and I thank you for your kind words on behalf of our entire church family.  

Father David embodied the spirit of loving service, and we feel confident that he would want us to move forward with the work of St. Paul's By-the-Sea in all of the church's capacities, despite the temporary loss of our facilities.  We are hopeful that DeWees Hall (where the majority of Red Doors events are held) and the church sanctuary will be operational very soon, and a winter session of Red Doors programs is planned.  A Sunday service is planned for 9 am at Town Hall, and Father David's funeral mass will be held at 2 pm on Tuesday at St. Peters' Lutheran on 103rd. 

Most fall classes were wrapping up, but below we have listed the programs that had yet to finish.  Thanks to the generosity of CrossWays Church and The Training Station Preschool on Rt 50 in West Ocean City, we will have a temporary space to complete the fall classes.  Thanks also to the many other local organizations that offered space to the parishioners for services and meetings, the Shepherd's Crook for continued ministry to those in need and the homeless, or to The Red Doors for classes.  I am sure I will leave some out, but those that I am personally aware of include the Synepuxent Post of the American Legion in Ocean City, Buckingham Presbyterian Church, Gull Creek Senior Living Facility, The Globe Restaurant, Ocean City Town Hall, the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce, St. Mary's Star of the Sea, Holy Savior Catholic Church, St. Peter's Lutheran, Taylor's Restaurant, DiaKonia, WOC Fitness, Church of the Holy Spirit and St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Berlin.

Thank you for being a part of The Red Doors family.

Kind regards,

Fawn Mete

The Red Doors Community Center | | [email protected] | http://www.facebook.com/thereddoors
PO BOX 1207
Ocean City, MD 21842

410.458.1325 cell