Photos by Jim Coarse

Additional photos courtesy of Community Connecting Us

Text by Richard L. Gaw

On April 22 – under the direction of Ralf Schmitt – the Roedean Girls Choir of Johannesburg, South Africa performed a breathtaking concert at the historic Tome Memorial Church in Port Deposit, now the Cultural and Wellness Center of Community Connecting Us (CCU). Tilting back their heads and singing in pure harmony at the altar, the chorus of their voices reverberated around the old church, and each selection celebrated the universal language of song.

By the time the choir finished their rendition of Leonard Cohen’s anthem, “Hallelujah,” the room – the community – was wrapped and protected by an impenetrable strength that said anything is possible when we gather in peace, together.

“Heading into the concert, I was wondering if anyone would show up,” said Erica Berge, who founded CCU in 2018 with her husband, Brian. “I was just hoping that I would be able to do right by the ancestors – those who had gathered in this very church, seeking a place where they felt they truly belonged. This concert was our way of weaving our story into the rich tapestry of theirs.” “Being at the concert – seeing two-hundred people file through the doors – deepened my love and appreciation for our neighbors even further.”

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After living in California for the previous 18 years, Erica, born and raised in the Conowingo area, returned to her native Maryland with a mission to help serve the communities of Cecil County. The original foundation for what soon became CCU was simple: To encourage neighbors to join together by sharing their own stories.

“Culturally, we had become so insular that we no longer heard each other’s conversations, and we needed to begin having them in our own backyard,” said Erica, who along with Brian began CCU in their home. “Meeting by meeting, we were finally hearing people’s stories and welcoming what they had to offer others by embracing our collective talents and the resources and interests of our neighbors.

“We find that when we celebrate and focus on the positive, our deficits begin to dwindle, as people are given the opportunity to do what they love and be with others.”

Through the assistance of its neighbors and community partners, CCU has become a significant agent of change in Port Deposit, offering everyone from children and teenagers to parents and grandparents the opportunity to take part in activities in the areas of wellness, creativity and education, as well as attend a full calendar of public events. In 2023, CCU saw an estimated 4,500 visits, who took part in yoga classes, nutrition classes for youth, play groups, mural

projects, artisan events, book club gatherings, community gardening, and the annual Port Deposit Pirate Takeover – all in partnership with local agencies.

Erica said that CCU’s future plans include maintaining the historic church as a sacred space for memorial services, weddings, lectures, and concerts, while at the same time expanding its purpose to become a self-sustaining culture and wellness center – including a used bookstore – that provides jobs for young people.

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If there was a recent moment that seemed to crystallize the underlying mission of Community Connecting Us for Erica, it was in the minutes just before the start of the Roedean Girl’s Choir concert.

“Sitting in the Tome Memorial Church, watching it begin to fill, a realization struck me about our organization’s mission – it's fundamentally about vulnerability,” Erica reflected. “We expose a part of ourselves when we launch something into the world, whether it’s the initiatives of our organization or the more personal aspects we usually keep hidden.

“Facing our challenges head-on, going upstream to the very source, is the only way to truly address the core of our issues. At CCU, we gather around the same table, celebrating our talents, sharing our fears, and practicing empathy. It is through these sincere interactions that we find our greatest successes.”

Community Connecting Us is located at Nesbitt Hall, 99 North Main Street, Port Deposit, Md. 21904. To learn more, visit www.communityconnecting.us, or call 443-731-6080.

To see the April 22 concert with the Roedean Girls Choir, visit “Earth Day Concert Featuring the Roedean Girls Choir at the CCU Cultural and Wellness Center” on YouTube.