The following is a reflection written by Dick Stewart
Avodah – to live out a life of faith simultaneously through work, worship and service.
First, let me say that I did not even know how to pronounce the word let alone know what was in store for me last Saturday. But can anyone ignore Fr. Bill Krizner’s passion for mission service opportunities and his enthusiasm for evangelism at St. Peter’s Anglican Cathedral?! So off to Good Samaritan Network Chapel Outreach I went not sure of what I would do or who I would meet. Other than going to the airport I had never been to that area of Tallahassee.
Have you ever heard or used the words “hidden gem” to describe a place, person, or experience? For me, my Saturday at Good Samaritan Network Chapel was an amazing and unexpected hidden gem. Why? People, mission statement, passion, love, commitment, changed lives and God at work.
The day began at 8:30 when I was asked if I could help put up a portable camping shelter that was to be used as a prayer tent. Mission accomplished. That opportunity followed with unloading clothing and other household items for a yard sale (all items were free on that Saturday). I then planted some crepe myrtle trees and helped mulch the flowers that had been planted earlier.
The enthusiasm, commitment and love shown by the staff of Good Samaritan to the residents of this neighborhood and Good Samaritan “village” was a gift to experience. Parents, children, and people of all ages who had few material things were at home in this special environment. We served an amazing lunch, lots of cold water, some homemade desserts and the day was filled with live music provided by Ben Munroe of our cathedral.
There were frequent visits to the prayer tent and the love expressed Saturday by so many members of our cathedral personified our commitment to live out a life of faith simultaneously through work, worship and service. You could sense that God was alive in the hearts of those serving and those served.
I spent the afternoon visiting with the people who came to shop, visit the food pantry, or simply enjoy lunch and experience the love of God. I had an opportunity to play corn hole with some young children and some newcomers to the sport. I tried to teach them the ACL way to toss the bag and all they did was beat me using their own tossing technique! The balance of the day was used simply to greet as many people as I could, make sure they had an opportunity for lunch , and enjoy the fellowship.
It is hard to accurately describe what I felt when I was there but when I arrived home all I could say to June was, “you won’t believe what they are doing at Good Samaritan!” We have the poorest per capita zip code in Florida just twenty minutes away and the people I met today were smiling, worshipful and so thankful.
Thank you to all the people of St. Peter’s who participated in our first Avodah Day. I sincerely hope that you experienced God at work that day as I most assuredly did.
