Christmas hope: Churches offer faith to those battered by Hurricane Sandy, Connecticut shootings

From New Jersey-

There are those battered by Hurricane Sandy, others saddened by the tragedy in Connecticut, questioning life and, perhaps, faith.

But the weary are called to rejoice, as the Rev. Canon Sandye A. Wilson puts it. Christians are called to celebrate — to find peace — in a seemingly broken world. Her followers see it around them.

It’s "a world desperate for love," said Joann Douds, who has worshipped at the Episcopal Church of St. Andrew & Holy Communion in South Orange since Wilson started preaching there. She was helping prepare decorations there yesterday as a choir practiced holiday hymns.

"There is violence on the streets," Douds said. "There is despair amongst the people."

And that’s why Christmas is such a perfect time to find hope, says Wilson, the church’s rector.

More here-

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/12/christmas_hope_churches_offer.html