By Jennifer Krok, who assists the editor of the Pastoral Staff.
Even though it poured rain throughout the annual Alleluia Fund Golf Tournament, a record number of 68 golfers came out to support the cause.
Winning wasn’t the objective of this golf tournament, held in May at the Southwick Country Club, but rather having fun and supporting a worthy cause. With the increased number of golfers participating in the tournament, the Diocese was able to raise $2,700 toward Alleluia Fund 2007.
Money raised through the fund, in its fifth year, supports the newest church in the Diocese, the Southwick Community Episcopal Church, and 10 percent – a tithe – is sent to Liberia for mission work.
“The most satisfying part of the tournament is seeing people from the Diocese energetically support this cause,” the Rev. John DeBonville, organizer of the tournament, said. “The folks at Christ Church, Sheffield, and St. Francis, Holden, have been a part of the tournament from the beginning, and they bring a good number of people. It is also nice to see people in a social context; we rarely come together as a Diocesan family, and this tournament is like that; a big family coming together to play some golf and have fun.”
The teams played an 18-hole game in scramble format, meaning the holes are not played in order by each team. Every player tees off, and they use one teammate’s best score for each hole, so at the end of the game each team has one score.
According to John, the tournament was almost cancelled due to rain, but the country club discouraged the idea. With help from Joyce Lewis, the bishop’s administrative assistant, and Webmaster Curt Hahn, everyone was contacted and told that the tournament was still on, and an announcement was posted on the Diocesan Web site.
“The weather was miserable,” John said. “It rained lightly throughout the day, but the spirit of the golfers was wonderful.”
A reception, hosted by the Rev. Taylor Albright, was held after the tournament at the Southwick Community Episcopal Church. Parishioners were also on hand to greet the golfers.
John organizes the tournament every year along with Paula Tonelli, an administrative assistant at Diocesan House, although he gives most of the credit to Paula. “My job is really limited to making arrangements with the course and for the dinner; Paula does everything else,” he said.
John has been a member of the Diocese for more than 30 years.
Originally from Keene, N.H., John now lives in Agawam. He is currently a part-time priest at the Church of the Good Shepherd, West Springfield, and a campus chaplain at American International College in Springfield, where he also teaches courses.
“I like organizing this tournament because it is an opportunity for people from the Diocese to support a good cause and have an enjoyable time,” John says.
John has served as a deacon in six different churches in the Diocese over the past 26 years. These churches are: Christ Church Cathedral, Springfield; St. Andrew’s, Longmeadow; St. Mark’s, East Longmeadow; St. Mary’s, Palmer; and St. Peter’s, Springfield.
“All have been very different, but wonderful, experiences,” John says. “I have seen faith and hope displayed in many ways. God is actively involved in this Diocese, and I am honored to be a part of it.”
The Bishop, members of Diocesan staff and members of Southwick Community Episcopal Church offer great thanks to all who have made offerings to the Alleluia Fund 2007.
Offerings continue to arrive at Diocesan House. To date, 212 people have made offerings, in addition to the golfers whose participation in the Alleluia Fund golf tournament also supports the Fund.
Alleluia Fund offerings help support Southwick Community Episcopal Church, where people are finding and being found by God and where new disciples are being formed.
A tithe of all Alleluia Fund offerings supports important missionary work in Liberia.
