Healing two years after a church tragedy
Thursday marked two years since a fatal fire took the life of a beloved Ocean City pastor, Reverend David Dingwall of the St. Paul’s By The Sea Episcopal Church.
Ocean City Police say John Sterner, who frequented a food pantry in connection to the church known as Shepherd’s Crook, doused himself in gasoline and lit himself on fire before walking into the pantry.
Bruce Young, a volunteer coordinator at Shepherd’s Crook, says he was five feet away from Sterner.
“I was looking at John Sterner…didn’t know who it was.” He recalled Thursday.
The flames spread. It seriously injuring a volunteer and claimed the lives of Sterner and Reverend Dingwall.
Joe Fisher, a manager at Shepherd’s Crook, credits Dingwall to much of the success of the food pantry.
“I think in the early days, he gave us a lot of his personal support as we dealt with difficult committees and concepts and ideas.” Explained Fisher.
Since the tragic night, the church reluctantly had to tear down their rectory due to fire damages.
Young tells 47 ABC that with every tragedy, comes growth. In 2014, Shepherds Crook moved to a new home on the 200 block of South Baltimore Avenue. Thursday marked the second month they have been offering food five days a week to the public. That’s compared to just three days a week in years past.
Young says there’s also about 15 new volunteers. He says the overall expansion was made possible by the financial and volunteer support from St. Paul’s and five other Ocean City churches.
“O.C. Baptist, Presbyterian, Atlantic Methodist, St. Peter’s Lutheran and the Holy Spirit Episcopal Church…” He says.
According to Young, Reverend Dingwall would be proud to see Shepherd’s Crook is more than just a food pantry. Instead it’s a sign of community, solidarity and healing.
“We’re more than that day.” Explains Young, ” I think we have the core of wonderful volunteers that are serving the lord and are serving our community.”
Young says anyone who would like to donate to Shepherd’s Crook can write a check to any of the six contributing churches. Be sure to include “Shepherd’s Crook” in the memo.
