HONESDALE, PA - As they exit Honesdale after almost 13 years, Reverend Edward Erb and his wife, Sue Shadle Erb, leave behind many friends, including Honesdale Rotary. Club members gathered outside Grace Episcopal Church to thank the Erbs with a plaque and a small monetary contribution to support their move to Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, where Father Ed will become Rector of Saint Paul's Episcopal Church.

Rotarians, along with other community groups, have helped the Erbs offer free lunches to the needy on Saturdays for many years. In addition, Father Erb permitted the Rotary to use the church's courtyard for the club's Beer Garden fundraiser each year during Honesdale's Roots & Rhythm Music & Arts Festival.

“We are so honored and surprised,” said Sue, an associate managing editor at Highlights for Children in Honesdale. “The partnership with Honesdale Rotary has been amazing, especially in the outreach to help people in need. And the friendships!”

Father Ed, who also served as a chaplain at Wayne Memorial Hospital and was a co-coordinator of a hospital-supported Grief Workshop several times a year, said, “The Rotary club holds a similar mission and standards to us and our church outreach. I even considered joining the Rotary at one point!”

Sue actually plans to join the Wellsboro Rotary, “if they approve my application, so hopefully our paths will cross again in Rotary circles.”

“It has been a pleasure working with Father Ed and Sue,” said Rory McGhie, president Honesdale Rotary. “The Rotary's motto is ‘Service Above Self,' and they both exemplify this every day. We thank them for their work in our community and wish them the best in their new life.”

The Rotary, along with volunteers from the Oddfellows and the Cooperage, will continue the free lunches with other nearby churches, according to the Erbs.

Father Ed's last service at Grace Episcopal will take place on May 30, 2021.

Honesdale Rotary, part of Rotary International which counts more than one million members globally, welcomes new members. Visit the club on Facebook.