From Jesse Wilson: We belong to each other
/Friday, August 28, 2020
Jesse Wilson prepares food for Youth Outreach in the parish kitchen.
We belong to each other. It's a famous Mother Teresa quote, "If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other." Despite the isolation the COVID-19 pandemic has forced upon us, these last few months have taught us how utterly true her statement is. What's amazing about outreach is that it is not a one-way street. Through it, the Holy Spirit ministers to both sides: those giving and those receiving. Few things reveal the presence of God more clearly than a full stomach on one end and a full heart on the other.
As the chair of St. Mark's Outreach & Pastoral Care Committee, I witness more loving goodness than I deserve. There is the steadfast service given so generously by the YO (Youth Outreach) team of donors, chefs, and deliverers every week (for years). There are the consistent calls to our kupuna who are unable to attend (online and in-person) worship from our caring committee members. There are the boxes of donated clothing made available to YO through the St. Mark's Thrift Shop. There are the hundreds of meals made available to hungry families through the Grab & Go Meals program that used our church for curbside pick-ups. There is our continued support of Family Promise, which just held their virtual fundraiser for sheltering houseless families. There are our own houseless neighborhood friends finding bargains at our thrift shop, many receiving clothing for free.
Nothing has shown me the heart of God with more conviction than the work of our outreach ministry. That's why I cannot give into the darkness of despair in this time of the pandemic. There is too much encouragement to be found in the work that God has given us to do. Though we cannot shake hands with, hug, or even stand near those we are serving, we can share God's love with our actions and our consistency. By looking COVID in the face and saying, "you won't stop us!" we continue to uphold the dignity and respect of all persons, rich or poor, dark or light.
Our outreach ministries at St. Mark's have been both careful and cautious, and they have not stopped. Neither can we. As the people of God, we must continue to push forward serving those in need, because we belong to each other.
Peace,
Jesse Nishita Wilson
Outreach & Pastoral Care Ministry Chair
The General Thanksgiving
Almighty God, Father of all mercies,
we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks
for all your goodness and loving-kindness
to us and to all whom you have made.
We bless you for our creation, preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for your immeasurable love
in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ;
for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.
And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies,
that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise,
not only with our lips, but in our lives,
by giving up our selves to your service,
and by walking before you
in holiness and righteousness all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,
be honor and glory throughout all ages.
Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer (pp. 101 and 125)
