Each year Evangelical Lutheran Church in America around the country celebrate “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday in September. According to the ELCA, “this day is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America – one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. Service activities offer an opportunity for us to explore one of our most basic convictions as Lutherans: that all of life in Jesus Christ – every act of service, in every daily calling, in every corner of life – flows freely from a living, daring confidence in God’s grace.”
At Saint Luke, we too participate in this special effort, but it also influences all that we do as a congregation. Service is a part of living out our mission to Know, Love, and Serve Christ. Everyday we encourage and inspire one another to live in service. Throughout the year, we also have special opportunities to serve side by side in our community locally, across our country or globally around the world.
Serving Our Community
Recently a team from Saint Luke participate in a local service project in partnership with the local Habitat for Humanity branch. The Faith + Build project was an incredible opportunity for people from Saint Luke to help build affordable housing for those in need right in our community. The team worked on rigid foam insulation on the exterior of the house, alongside two of the four homeowner families. All of the future homeowners with Habitat are minority groups. At Habitat, they want to change the language about who can own a home- that anyone can own a home no matter where you came from or what you look like and that they are welcome in our community. Saint Luke was thrilled to be a part of this welcoming effort, including the hard physical work it involved. It was not always easy so why did a team of people just like you, choose to spend their Saturday doing this? We asked them to reflect on their experiences and here is what they had to say…
Why do you serve?
Gillian Heckert Mitchell, a member of Saint Luke and Volunteer Outreach Coordinator for Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery and Delaware Counties, has always had a passion for giving back to her community. She explained, “I think my love for serving took shape during my experiences with ASP but I continued to give back during college with the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate and at a community food pantry. I continued my love of serving and now work for Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery and Delaware Counties. Even if it doesn’t seem like a big change day to day, I know, I get to be part of the change in my local community.” Another participant, Elizabeth Muir shared that she personally gets a lot out of working along side other church members, but also enjoys serving because it allows her to help very deserving people.
What was the most meaningful part of serving on the build day?
Gillian easily answered this question- the people! She explained, “Any construction build I've ever attended, with ASP or with Habitat, the most meaningful part is getting to know the homeowners or in Habitat’s case, future homeowners. They are always so grateful for the time we spend joining them on the build site, building their homes and getting to know them.”
A Habitat home is not simply given away to a family. A family seeking a Habitat home qualifies for a no interest and no down payment mortgage on their new home. This allows individuals and families to purchase their homes from Habitat for Humanity at a reasonable market value. Families have to qualify and work for their home through sweat equity hours. The sweat equity hours are between 200-400 hours involved in constructing their home alongside the volunteers. New homeowners are also required to take a financial education class (our Program is called Almost Home: Financial Education Class) to ensure they will succeed financially once they enter their new home.
Another participant Tom McCown and Elizabeth Muir echoed this sentiment, recounting how much they enjoyed working alongside the homeowners that were present that day. Tom went on to share that he had a chance to meet them and work with one really nice gentleman for the better part of the day. It was a wonderful experience for them to work as a team!
How has your faith been impacted by serving? What have you learned?
Gillian thoughtfully reflected on her past experiences as she said, “A lot of times we get stuck in our daily routine…the day to day of work/school or the TV show we’re watching that just came out with a new season…and I think taking time out of that routine to volunteer allows our mind to be more open to new perspectives or new ideas. You’re able to see the insecurities and disparities in your local communities, right here in the U.S., right in our own backyard. I find it surprising when someone says, “this issue doesn’t happen in my community,” and yet when you look around and go out to volunteer in your local community, you see people who aren’t able to put food on the table for their family or can’t buy a home because of the color of their skin.” Elizabeth shared that she has learned that “lending a hand, albeit I am not that experienced in carpentry, is very fulfilling.”
It has been clear that serving challenges us and changes us personally. Gillian went on to share, “I think serving through my faith is allowing my eyes to stay open to see the pain and suffering in our neighborhoods and being a part of the change. I show up for my faith when I extend a hand and walk with them through their journey.” Tom summed up his experience well stating, “Giving back is always a good thing and keeps my faith strong.”
Next Steps
Where ever you are in the world, there are needs around you. Serving requires us to remain aware and proactive. As our participants shared, you may have a variety of reasons that lead you to serve in the first place- improving your community, wanting to be a part of change, looking to bond with others or personal fulfillment. However, whatever your reasons may be, taking that first step and being a part of God’s work with your own two hands opens you up to the possibility of something beautiful for both you and others. Join us in doing God’s Work for the sake of the world.
Need help taking that first step, reach out to us & we are happy to help you find a meaningful way to contribute. You have something to offer that our world needs.
Lord, may we join you in your work of building a future and repairing the world. Bless, God, our lives as we answer your call, sharing the good news of your Gospel. Amen.
Based on the hymn, God’s Work, Our Hands by Wayne L. Wold