I'm pretty happy with my articles for St. Luke's and Grace's December newsletters. St. Luke's has already been mailed, I think, and Grace's will be mailed sometime this week, but I decided I would post my articles here. I think they illuminate my challenges.
I'll post these in the order that I wrote them.
St. Luke's:
From Your Community Outreach Associate
I love Advent calendars. Sure, it’s nice to get a piece of chocolate every day (those were
the years my brother and I got really lucky, I guess), but it’s also nice to just see a pretty
picture, or a verse of “ ’Twas the Night Before Christmas”. I always get really excited
about Christmas, and it was especially hard to wait when I was little, because I knew the
closer we got to 25, the closer Santa Claus was to coming to town with lots of presents.
But with Advent calendars, I got a little treat every day.
Since I began my year of service with Lutheran Volunteer Corps in August, there have
been some days where I have had to look really hard, sometimes within myself, to find
a treat. Some days I really have no idea what I am doing or why I am doing it. I love
spending time in fellowship with St. Luke’s congregation and am glad I am getting to
know everyone better, but as Community Outreach Associate, shouldn’t I be spending
my time talking to the neighbors? Then I do go out and go get lunch at one of the nearby
restaurants, walking past South High on busy 24th Street, and think about all the possible
people I could be connecting with, serving, that I’m passing by. Hundreds of high school
students, the other congregations within a block of St. Luke’s, all the people patronizing
businesses…my head literally spins with possibilities. “But will the people of St. Luke’s
like my ideas?” I ask myself. “Am I doing the right thing?” On those days, I feel lost, and
as hard as I try to find the chocolate in the calendar, I can’t even find a crumb.
However, when I find that treat, no matter its size, it goes a long way. For example, last
Thursday, St. Luke’s council approved a motion to have me present mine and Pastor
Patti’s idea for a Wednesday Evening Community Meal to the congregation. Having this
idea recognized and approved by others made me very happy. I have been so grateful for
every conversation I have had with a St. Luke’s member that has indicated a desire to let
people know about the wonderful ministries of St. Luke’s and to involve more people in
these ministries. Every one of these conversations is a treat.
And these treats do remind me that something even greater is coming. Every Advent
we remember that Mary was scared out of her mind when an angel of the Lord came to
her and said, “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall
overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called
the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35) Talk about responsibility! It may be scary to think about
devoting time and energy to cleaning up the church building, fundraising, making music,
interacting with people who don’t look like you or speak the same first language you do,
serving on Council…but learning that you’re going to be a mom to the Son of God???
Lucky for us, Mary took on the job, even though she was afraid. That’s the best any
of us can do, I guess. I am afraid many days that I will do something that some of you
will think is silly or won’t be happy about, but I feel called, and so I continue my work,
savoring the treats that nourish me and keep me going. I pray that this Advent, you will
find treats that nourish you and remind you that something really great is coming.
Grace:
My favorite album to listen to at this time of year is the soundtrack to the television
special “A Charlie Brown Christmas”, which mostly consists of jazzy, beautiful,
comfortable versions of Christmas tunes by the Vince Guaraldi Trio. The chances are
likely that if you catch me working at the computer in the church library this month, I’ll
have it playing. I especially like the idea of listening to it at church/work because of the
way I described the music – comfortable. It turns out that “comfortable” is a good word
to describe how I feel whenever I walk through the doors of Grace.
It seems that a lot of other people feel that way, too. For example -
- while we may not host the biggest after-school program around, the neighborhood kids
that come really know and love it. They know they can get a snack, a good run-around in,
help with their homework, and the chance to be creative by working on a fun art project.
(Last week we painted our jeans!) The kids also know that they are welcome at Grace by
the affection and concern for their well-being that is shown for them – “Grandma” Eva
always gets plenty of hugs whenever she stays for the program!
- the annual Halloween party brought in somewhere around 100 people –friends and
family of congregation members, regular attendees of our after-school program and their
friends and family, and families from the exercise groups that Grace hosts. It seemed as
though everyone had a really great time! Many thanks to all the volunteers who donated
money, treats, and/or time decorating or running games at the party – LaVonne, Bob,
Gerry, Gloria, Arlone, David, Larry, Joe, Ernie, Andrew, Mary, Sarah, and last but
certainly not least, Greg and Janet, who emptied their basement to bring as many cool
decorations as possible and know exactly what to do to make the party happen. Thanks
also and apologies to anyone I may have accidentally left off the list!
-the first Friday night “fun night” was a success! The kids from our after-school program
enjoyed eating pizza, pretzels, popcorn and pink lemonade, playing circle games and the
card game UNO, and snuggling up on the floor with pillows and blankets in front of the
projector watching The Jungle Book. I want to thank Ernie, Andrew, Brenda, and my
housemate Sarah for their help and support with the event.
Also, recently, I attended the Sudanese fellowship worship service for the first time,
met the organizer of the Round Dancers, and have spent more time with the leaders of
Mujeres Activas and Latinas en Acción. I continue to be amazed by all of the groups who
have found a comfortable place at Grace Lutheran.
But I’ve been wondering (as I wander) during this volunteer year – does everyone feel
as comfortable as I do at Grace these days, or as comfortable as I think they are? What
is the best way to address discomforts that come up as a result of different groups of
people using the building for different activities? Who else, especially in our immediate
neighborhood, can find comfort at Grace, and how do we reach them? Can we pursue any
of the following ideas that have been floating around in my head for the past few months?
-More family-friendly coffeehouse/movie nights
-A bigger after-school program, with more volunteers and more kids
-More advertising of the Saturday ESL class
-An expanded women’s group for Bible study open and advertised particularly to women
in the neighborhood
-Sunday School, homework and employment assistance for Sudanese fellowship
I will continue to ask myself these and other questions. I appreciate beyond words
everyone’s prayers, support and kindness shown to me so far this year. One way you
could continue that would be to ask yourself these questions and share your answers with
me. And whatever your answers may be, I hope you find comfort in serving God, who is
all about pushing people out of their comfort zones, this Advent season. AMEN.
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