"Restoring relationships with God and one another."
Neighbors Church of Reconciliation is partnering with our Neighborhood Civic Association to bring our neighborhood together. Active neighborhoods build relationships, reduce crime, and raise property values. We have been organizing regular picnics ("Feast of Friends") in the park across the street from the church and knocking on doors to invite neighbors to come meet one another. The officers of the Neighborhood Association are now meeting at the church where we make plans together for picnics, block parties, garage sales, and other activities and events. Our plans this year also include organizing the captains to do a pastoral assessment of their blocks so that we can respond to pastoral needs. We are also planning to offer booths for neighbors to share opportunities for serving the larger community together. Bringing neighbors is in keeping with our calling to "restore relationships with God and one another".
Cliff Maus Church of Reconciliation works with a low income community, Cliff Maus Village. We volunteered several time in 2011 to clean and restore vacated apartments and collected backpacks for children and youth in August. We designated a person from our congregation to sit on the administrative board of Cliff Maus to ensure that people in our community who need it have safe and affordable housing. In keeping with our goal of "restoring relationships with God and one another", we are making plans this year to build relationships with the residents. Our strategy is to offer and lead weekend activities and events for children and youth, and to grow our circle of relationships to include parents and other residents.
Interfaith Dialogue Church of Reconciliation participates in the local chapter of the Institute of Interfaith Dialogue. The Vicar is on the board, and helps to plan opportunities to bring together different religious and faith groups for dinners, activities, events, and community service projects. In 2011, we worked side by side to clean the beach, volunteer with the local foodbank, and make care packages for the homeless. The culmination of our efforts was an interfaith memorial service on September 11.
In keeping with our calling to "restore relationships with God and one another", the goal of eating, volunteering, working, and worshiping together is to break down barriers and build relationships.
Homeless Church of Reconciliation collects and distributes clothes to the homeless in downtown Corpus Christi. Neighbors and friends help to collect clothes year round. The highest need is for clean white socks, underwear, and tee shirts - especially for men. Other items of clean clothing is also appreciated.
Every two months, we send out members and friends of our church, and any neighbors who wish to join us, to distribute the clothes at a downtown location. Our first goal is to provide clothing, especially during the winter month. Our calling as a congregation is to restore relationships, so our second goal is to get to know the homeless and to befriend them as we are able.
On designated Sundays, we meet at the entrance of Church of Reconciliation at about 10:00 am to get organized. Participants are blessed and sent out from the 10:30 am Eucharist. Many of the participants return to the church to report to the rest of the people of Reconciliation and to receive Communion if they wish.
In keeping with our calling to "restore relationships with God and one another", this year's goal is to progress beyond merely collecting and distributing clothes to befriending and building relationships with homeless people.
2011 Mission Stories of Reconciliation
August 2011 "Building Bridges"
I know that without relationships there is no ministry. I know that ministry in the neighborhood begins with building relationships and bridges of care. But I didn't know it could be so much fun.
This week my daughter and I just did the old fashioned door to door walk through the neighborhood. We had tickets to our Labor Day barbecue in hand, and also information ready about the beneficiaries - the Born Learning Trail (Google that!), the Kidney Foundation, and the mission work of the Diocese.
We sold over ten tickets per block, but it wasn't raising money that was so enjoyable. It was meeting people. Not everyone wanted to talk to strangers at their door, but a good number of people were very welcoming...
"Are you that church across the street?" "I'll buy six tickets. My cousin has kidney problems..." "Is that the church where Willie used to be?" "Can you use some of this furniture from the Omni hotel?" "What's the Born Learning Trail?" "You be careful carrying umbrellas in this thunderstorm!"
So we sold some tickets, but even better, we made a few new friends. The Church of Reconciliation build a few bridges to people in the neighborhood. And it was fun.
August 2011 "Coming Out From Behind the Desk"
This week a retired teacher told about how she never sat behind her desk when she was teaching. She always walked around the room among the students. As she went around students would ask her questions and interact. "They said things they would never say", observed the teacher, "if they had to approach me behind my desk."
That became a metaphor for the church getting out together in the community rather than staying behind it''s walls. My own story for week is about the friends I made at Cliff Maus Village when I was going around taping flyers to the apartment doors where families with kids lived. The flyers invited them to meet at the community room on Sunday to get backpacks our church had collected. While I was walking around, I met several young men who escorted me around to apartments where they knew kids lived. And I was asked by one women to pray with her for a friend who was fighting for his life in the hospital and for a boy who needed help getting his life together. I would never have made these new friends if I waited for them to come to me at the church.
August 2011 "Sometimes Christ Serves US!"
We like to think of Christ as our own commodity which we have to offer others. But sometimes faith in action is when the compassion of others meets the need in ourselves.
This week we are going through a transition on who picks up the flowers that adorn the altar on Sundays. The owner of the floral shop explained to me how it's been working, and we discussed what our options are now - delivery, pick up, Friday, Saturday? She was not slow to offer to deliver the flowers personally herself for free until we work through a new system.
Sometimes it can be awkward being the one in need, or at least surprising when such generosity is offered to us. But I think it can be good to be reminded that all we have to offer is nothing more than we have received in the first place. Sort of keeps us humble!
Got a story? Please share!
August 2011 "Everyday Opportunities - Don't Miss Them!"
From a member of Reconciliation:
What a day so far. Another one of my customers brought in her dog, which she NEVER does, because she just had hip surgery. Usually her husband brings the dog in. She told me that she had to put her husband in the hospital on Friday. He is in and out of ICU. He is so cool. He is a Vietnam and Korea vet, and he bakes homemade bread. His brother happens to be an Episcopal priest. He and his wife used to attend church, but he can't stand church politics. We have had many great conversations. So, I drove to the church on my lunch break and got two prayer shawls. I am going to give the shawls to her she comes in to pick up the dog. It is so cool that I have frequent opportunities to minister in this little shop. This is it! I don't want to miss it!
July 2011 "Friend to Friend"
Had a discussion about personal spirituality with a stranger. Both of our lives were blessed. How does that happen?
This time it happened when a member of our church had a birthday party at his house, a house with plenty of little indoor and outdoor sitting areas. As a very small group gathered in one sitting area with the "birthday boy", he introduced his friend to his priest and initiated a discussion about "life". Even after the birthday boy moved on to be with other guests, the discussion continued. The priest made a new friend. The friend was delighted that her spiritual journey was honored and that her wisdom was appreciated. A new relationship was born between two seekers.
How does God work? Friend to friend.
July 2011 "Befriending Neighbors"
It was a joy to behold! Members of Reconciliation befriending our neighbors. Hosting a picnic in the city park across the street from the church. Eating together, talking together, playing together. Talking the kids into chasing the priest with water balloons.
We church folks tend to think of mission only in terms of "saving" people, but if God's mission is to befriend his creation, what better way to collaborate with God than to start with befriending our neighbors?
Our newest neighborhood friends now experience "that church across the street" as caring people who enjoy being with them. Is there any better way to represent God to the world? How much more profound, or how much more fun, can it get?
July 2011 "Working TOGETHER at Cliff Maus Village"
Saturday was a great day for Corpus Christi Episcopalians, who worked side by side to make ready several vacant apartments for occupancy. The survival of the Cliff Maus Village ministry depends on our help at this time. So it was a great encouragement to see 50 to 60 people giving their Saturday to this work.
The best part was not just in the accomplishment of cleaning up the apartments, but in cleaning them up TOGETHER, in the relationships that were made or deepened by working together. Old friendships were strengthened and new friendships were made as we all took part in something that was bigger than ourselves.
What remains is the relationships that we can now create and build with the residents of Cliff Maus Village. Ministry, deep ministry, isn't just something that I/we do for you or to you. Deep ministry is about sharing in a relationship where you and I/we can give and receive dignity and respect, and where we can experience our common humanity. We have an amazing opportunity in front of us.
What's YOUR story for the week?
July 2011 "Sharing Ministry With Our Neighbors - It Works!"
Last week I started meeting the people in the park across the street from our church. I spent a couple of days getting to know a boy's baseball team and their parents. Not only were they surprised that the church across the street was interested in getting to know them, but they embraced the relationship. In the name of Reconciliation, I bought the gator aid for the boys to take on their World Series tournament this weekend in Houston. And one of the fathers planned a picnic in the park with me for July 23. Another committed to donating backpacks for the kids at Cliff Maus village for our Blessing of the Backpacks on August 20, which will be another event in the park.
God works fast! Ministry is a lot more fun - and a lot more powerful - when we share it with others.
That's my story for the week. What else is happening in our community in the name of Christ, or of Church of Reconciliation? Please share.
June 2011 "Cliff Maus Needs Us"
This week's story reminds us that we are part of something bigger than we are. Our brother and sister Episcopal churches are joining together to help the Cliff Maus board address some serious needs. Cliff Maus Village is an amazing ministry of our local churches and diocese that provides subsidized housing and other programs for people in our community. Read the note below from the president of the Cliff Maus board, Phyllis Finley, and see if you want to become part of the story. This discussion board can be used to help you.
LETTER FROM PHYLLIS FINLEY
June 24, 2011
THINGS ARE MOVING AT CLIFF MAUS VILLAGE! Thanks to the efforts of many people, we are making progress on getting the vacant apartments ready for occupancy. So far, All Saints’ has had 2 workdays, not counting the continuous efforts of Chuck Hilton, Mike Mason and Tom Kenyon. St. Bartholomew’s has had several workdays, as has Good Shepherd. St. Mark’s has plans in place to come. And there are many people behind the scenes from all parishes, offering help, advice and support. Thank all of you.
The CMV board is working diligently to identify funding opportunities, to reorganize where needed and to streamline our budget. We are an enthusiastic group, and we are looking for new board members. If you feel called to serve in this ministry, please contact one of the CMV board members or the church office.
Please don’t forget Saturday, July 9, when members from several parishes will come to work. Thanks to everyone for a Herculean effort!
Peace, Phyllis Finley
June 2011 "Lemonade Tithers Help Us Remember"
GOT A STORY ABOUT KIDS YOU KNOW?
Children are still young enough to know and feel their own connectedness to others, and their need to help them. Perhaps they even know how to see Christ in those who are so easily overlooked by the rest of us.
Two girls who are part of our church at Reconciliation,
Reese and Ragen, were in the lemonade business recently. From their
profits, what they envisioned was a means of helping the poor. So the
next Sunday morning, the collection included their tithe, presented in a
sealed baggie. Their stated intention was for these funds to be used to
help the poor.
We do lose touch with that innocent awareness, don't we? It helps to remember. Got stories about kids you know?
June 2011 "What Goes Around Comes Around"
Last week a man who has made a connection with our church needed some help. I was in San Antonio, but I called around to find someone from Reconciliation who could respond. One of the first people I called was glad to help, and the man was well blessed.
Today he showed up at the church on a bicycle he had borrowed since his car went out on him. He wanted to work on some things at the church. So he's been doing some much needed yard work. And then when I told him about taking communion out to the Esplanade (assisted living center) earlier today, he got very excited. "I love to do things like that! Can I go with you next time?" I think I have a new partner in the ministry of Reconciliation to the Esplanade community.
What goes around comes around. What's a story you can share about the everyday ways that you and/or other members of Reconciliation are seeing Christ in, being Christ to, and receiving Christ from others?
June 2011 "Fawn in the Road"
I recently heard a quote from a member of our congregation about mission. His quote was "Think globally, act locally." I love that quote. Thinking about the mission of healing the world is overwhelming. On the other hand, I need a greater, nobler context for the little opportunities that come my way day by day. So yes, "think globally, act locally". That's helpful.
Today, I got to see that quote in action. The gentleman who quoted it to me, sent a picture today of a fawn in the road. I couldn't tell if it was sick or hurt or even alive. He texted that was only scared and just needed to be rescued from its precarious perch on the road. The next picture I received was a picture of the fawn running through the trees back to its mother.
Such a little thing. Unusual for most of us, and rather touching. It didn't end any wars or shelter anyone in Joplin, Missouri. But it was no less important. All life is connected on this earth. God help me to not miss the little things, and yet to not be overwhelmed by the big things. May 2011 "Homelessness"
This is an extreme story with some tough questions at the end. A newcomer at Reconciliation encountered a homeless person hanging around the church. After doing some work around the church together for a while, he offered to give the man a place to stay for a while. He remembered being in the same position once upon a time himself. The man was grateful just take a shower for the first time in several days. However, after the guest had eaten most of the benefactor's food and became halfway violent, our newcomer had to ask the man to leave. Now he is struggling to understand how his visitor had been a teacher for him, what wisdom he is to learn from this experience, and how he had been Christ to and received Christ from him. There are no easy answers. We all learn the wisdom of compassionate engagement through direct encounters more than through giving charity from a distance. I hope I can help our newcomer harvest the wisdom from his experience and grow in his capacity to serve Christ in others. What stories do you have about seeing Christ in, being Christ to, and receiving Christ from the people you meet?
May 2011 “Random Act of Kindness”
On his way from a trip to the hospital, one of our members ran into a man who asked if he could help with a little food. In fact, our fellow member happened to have a little food that his wife had packed up for him, and a couple of dollars in his pocket. Although he and his wife live on very little themselves, the man in front of him made him realize how blessed he was and how much he had to offer others. So he gave the man the food he was carrying and a dollar for a drink, and went on his way with the one dollar he had left. It was one of those simple opportunities that present themselves to people who are open to serving others, but it was an encounter that has somehow stuck in his mind and his heart with a feeling of great joy. It is as if he received more than he gave.
May 2011 “Conscious Service”
After completing a contract with Fr Bruce to sell ads to Reconciliation in the Area Wide phone directory, Derik hung around and talked for a while. After sharing how he had been helped by a reading some writings of a famous life coach, he reflected on how he had been confronted a few years ago by the inspiring life visions of his nineteen year old son. As he recalled the visions he had for his own life when he was a young man, he recently began to assess his own dreams more realistically and to reevaluate what really mattered to him. Not only did he now have a better perspective on his life goals, but he realized that he also had a different motivation. He had always wanted to do good for others, but something had shifted. As a young man, his great aspirations for doing good had been grounded in his duty to mankind. It was what he was “supposed to do”. Now he felt like he had come to a new consciousness of his connection to other human beings. What truly mattered to him now was the people themselves, and the joy of helping them. Not how successful he was in doing what he was “supposed to do”. It has been a subtle shift, but conscious service has changed everything for him. Derik may not be a member of Reconciliation, but he is our partner in mission who reminds us that we’re not alone on our journey as missionaries to others.
April 2011 Summer Enrichment Program in Corpus Christi
Last Sunday, Becky Warren was our guest speaker. She described the ministry of the Good Samaritan Center in San Antonio and the combined initiative of the Good Samaritan Center and local Corpus Christi Episcopal congregations to offer a Summer Enrichment Program for at-risk kids. Similar efforts in Pharr, she said, have met with great success in providing opportunities for at-risk kids. She reported that here in Corpus Christi, the school district has bent over backwards to help and has committed to providing space, transportation, and meals. Corpus Christi congregations have also been very responsive in donating funds and volunteers. A gift of $350 from Reconciliation was announced and inquiries were made about volunteer opportunities. Our goal this summer is to serve between 80 and 125 at-risk students and to offer them an enriched environment that will enable them to continue successfully in the public school program.
April 2011 Prayer Shawl to Ram Hoyos
I was blessed this week with an opportunity to present Ram Hoyos with a prayer shawl from Reconciliation. Ram has offered lawn service to Reconciliation for many years. Recently he was diagnosed with Guillain Barre, a rare immune system disorder that suddenly attacks your own nervous system. If not diagnosed and treated quickly, it is fatal. Although he will not be able to go back to work again for 6 to 12 months, Ram feels very blessed to be alive. It’s hard to say who was most grateful for the prayer shawl and for the grace it communicates, Ram or his wife, Bridget. During this difficult time our prayers and visits will continue to surround and help him in his recovery. Reconciliation is making a difference in their life.
April 2011 Job Opportunity through Reconciliation
Last Sunday a guest was drawn to Reconciliation when he saw the men gathered around the barbecue pit. He thought that we might be selling barbecue plates and that he might be able to buy a couple, one for him and one for his son. When the men invited him to just sit down and join them, and to take a plate to his son, our guest quickly developed a relationship with all they guys and is looking forward to making Reconciliation his new church home. Best of all, our guest was between jobs and was given a job lead by yet another guest who came to Reconciliation and joined the men after church. He has applied and was reassured by his perspective employer that there would be a job for him. He will receive confirmation on his new job next week.
