Cape Ann Clergy Go All In On Gloucester Initiative

Dear friends,

Under the leadership of Police Chief Leonard Campanello, the Gloucester Police Department recently began the Gloucester Initiative. Through the Gloucester Initiative the Police Department has offered itself as a conduit for on-the-spot treatment for those who suffer from opiate addiction. Anyone who is ready to receive help can come to the Police Department and be immediately connected to a treatment facility without arrest.

As clergy we understand the deep, hidden pain of people struggling with addiction. We have seen the stigma that drug addiction, in particular, causes. We believe that the love of God and inherent dignity of every person compel us to come alongside those who struggle and suffer, whether they are in positions of power and prestige or have been relegated to society’s margins.

We are so pleased to voice our support for the initiative and its accompanying angel program. We gladly lend our voices and hands of support to the efforts of the Gloucester Police Department and the many groups and organizations who have already partnered with them. We encourage others to do the same.

With hope,

Cape Ann Clergy

Reverend Cynthia Antonuk, First Baptist Church, Gloucester, MA

Reverend Tom Bentley, Trinity Congregational Church, Gloucester, MA

Timothy Bushfield, Lead Pastor, Community Church of East Gloucester, Gloucester, MA

Rabbi Susan Bulba Carvutto, Emerita, Temple Beth El, Augusta, Maine (part-time Gloucester resident)

Reverend Anne Deneen, Pastor, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Gloucester, MA

Reverend Michael Duda, First Church in Wenham, Wenham, MA (residence: Rockport, MA)

Reverend Alice W. Erickson, United Church of Christ, Gloucester, MA

Very Reverend Ronald J. Gariboldi, V.F. Retired Co-Pastor, Holy Family Parish, Gloucester, MA

Rabbi Myron S. Geller, Emeritus, Temple Ahavat Achim, Gloucester, MA

Abram Kielsmeier-Jones, Pastor, Union Congregational Church, Magnolia (Gloucester), MA

Rabbi Steven A. Lewis, Temple Ahavat Achim, Gloucester, MA

Reverend Susan Moran, Unitarian Universalist Society of Rockport, Rockport, MA

Reverend Janet Parsons, Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church, Gloucester, MA

Reverend Rona Tyndall, Grace Center, Gloucester, MA

Reverend Derek van Gulden, First Congregational Church of Rockport (UCC), Rockport, MA

Reverend Deirdre Greenwood White, Annisquam Village Church, Gloucester, MA

Reverend Jim Williams, Pastor, Gloucester Assembly of God Church, Gloucester, MA