A Vision of Service

            Though Chicagoans have more cause than usual to celebrate the coming of spring-even so, it was snowing on April 28th as I composed this note-the mood at Third Church is usually upbeat in May.  Vernal greens begin to frame the mottled browns and grays of our church exterior, and the laughter of kids from the daycare (and our RE program on Sundays) playing in our soon-to-be expanded backyard area is a welcome antidote to the wearying scrape of city plows on Fulton Street. 

            We have much to celebrate as we draw near the end of the church "year": the expectation-and anxiety--of investigating and implementing our long range plan; a collection of new members who are already much engaged in the life of the church, and the five year anniversary of my shared ministry with the congregation.  But these accomplishments are also muted against the backdrop of challenges to our corner of Austin, and to the city as a whole.  We've been saddened, and deeply so, by the epidemic of violent deaths of children in the Chicago Public School system, to the rash of foreclosures on the West and South Sides, and to the growing economic needs of an Austin already bent with struggle.

            These issues point up just why I'm committed to explore with our members and friends how we can best respond to those in need, both around our corner and around the world.  Our "TUC 2015" plan calls us to an even higher level of service and social action than we offer now.  Does this mean we'll help with the newly-formed "Operation Safe Passage," shielding kids attending Crane High School and others on the West Side from gang violence?  Will we offer more hands to help consistently with the soup kitchen and clothing distribution at Fraternite Notre Dame at Race and Central?  Or will we speed the development of a community minister program, long a goal of many of us at TUC?

            The possibilities for service are as great as the issues we see everyday.  There is much we cannot save on the West Side, but let that never once deter us from making a difference, which we can most certainly do-everyday.  Much in our plan is about growth, and much of that will be measured in new members and more resources.  But "TUC 2015" is also about the growth of service and spirit in our membership.  That isn't so much about money, but it does have a cost-of time and emotion.  Do you have those to spend?

            See you in church!