There’s a metaphor to be found in the toilet-paper cross that towers over the sanctuary at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Oregon. Just as there are a variety of brands in the plastic-wrapped packages that make up the bars of the cross — Angel Soft and Charmin and Quilted Northern — there are a variety of faith communities that supplied them.
“It kind of represents the way that we’re from all different churches,” said Pastor Julie Beitelschees, who will be preaching beside the cross at St. Paul’s through Easter.
It’s a playful metaphor fit for a playful toilet-paper drive, “Wipe Out Poverty,” that recently brought in 6,421 rolls and counting for distribution through area food pantries. East Region Churches United, a growing collective of multi-denominational congregations in East Toledo, Oregon and Northwood, launched the drive in late January and collected through Feb. 10.
The 12-foot toilet-paper cross went up at the church by the following weekend.
But that playful approach reflects a serious mission: Toilet paper is among the items that cannot be purchased through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps. That means there tends to be a high demand for Angel Soft in local pantries, as Karen Culler, who brought the church collective together less than a year ago, reported after a conversation with a pantry organizer about the greatest needs there.
“People have gotten excited about it,” said Pastor Beitelschees, whose congregation was among 10 or 15 that participated in the drive. “It’s unique and it’s fun, but it’s also serving a need.”
East Region Churches United started as an effort to connect nearby churches, which Ms. Culler noticed weren’t really interacting despite their proximity. In connecting along geographic lines, rather than ideological ones, it’s an example of “grassroots ecumenism,” as Pastor Beitelschees describes it: Evangelicals, Catholics and Protestants are all represented.
For now, their cross is flanked by two smaller ones at St. Paul’s, as well as a heart along the left of the sanctuary and a whole heap of toilet-paper rolls in the baptismal font.
The majority of those donations will be distributed within a few weeks to area pantries, including Ashland Church, Jerusalem Township Food Pantry, Personal Needs Pantry at First St. John Lutheran Church and Food for Thought’s mobile pantry at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Oregon. Just the big cross will stay up at St. Paul’s through Easter, the pastor said, as both testament and inspiration.
“We want people in the community to be able to see it and experience it,” she said. “That’s why we aren’t taking it down right away, to inspire people and to help them understand the need out there.”
If that message hits home, they’re also still accepting donations: Contact the church at 419-691-9400 to set up a drop-off.
First Published February 23, 2019, 11:45 a.m.
