Compassion Corps

Recently, I have found myself reflecting on an event that changed the course of my Advent season.  Prior to the beginning of Advent I was preparing to deliver staple food products to families struggling with food security.  Before we distributed the food I was at work and in a discussion with a friend about our ministry through Fair Haven Food Pantry.  I explained that we were delivering food to families who were in need during the Thanksgiving holiday .  In an off the cuff remark she said, “I could use a turkey.”  I responded with a bit of surprise because I did not think she was (or would have been) in need.  She went on to tell me that she requested a turkey from her church outreach ministry – but they were already gone.  By the end of our conversation I knew what I needed to do – I was to help this person get a Thanksgiving turkey.  

I left the area and almost immediately felt prompted to go back and ask the details of her situation.  As we often do I hesitated and then said to myself  ”she asked for a turkey so I will get her a turkey!”  Again, I was prompted to go down and inquire as to her current situation.  After a few minutes I decided to take action.  I returned, pulled her aside and then asked if there was anything else we could do.  I stated that we would not only give her a turkey but an entire Thanksgiving meal – she began to cry.  This was not the person I thought I knew. 

She went on to share her story – open and honest.  A faithful wife married to an alcoholic husband.  After 30 years of marriage they divorced and she was left with half her life savings and no home.  Her first apartment proved too expensive and soon she found herself in a housing cooperative on a super tight budget.  After all the bills were paid there was not much left.  After a few additional financial challenges in challenging times – there was nothing left.  At the end of our conversation, the passing of a small financial gift and a hug I left to finish work.  A few days later I came back to work and delivered the Thanksgiving meal.  She was extremely thankful. 

Since the meal delivery my friend has been a changed person.  She credits our little “love in action” as the beginning of her present turn around.  Upon reflection I have (re)learned a few valuable lessons.  First, the need is all around us (the question is…do we have eyes to see / ears to hear).  Second, I have been encouraged to listen more carefully + take action when God stirs.  Third, the solutions to problems are easier to come by than you think.  Fourth, if we allow love to motivate us into action great things happen. 

Sometimes we need an event like this to remind us of the power of giving. 

As I sit here and gaze at our Advent creche I am reminded of what motivates me.  Matthew 1:18-25 tells the story.  It was through Mary’s gift of self that Christ came into this world.  It was Joseph’s gift of obedience that kept our Lord safe and free from harm.  It was Christ’s selfless action through his life, death and resurrection that gave us eternal life.  And today, it is our gift of self that makes Christ’s love story tangible and real in the lives of those who are suffering and on the margins of society. 

A final thought.  I often talk about those who are in need and find themselves on the margins of our society - looking in.  These difficult economic times are creating a situation in America (& the world) that has not seen for a long time.  Those, who are on the margins of society, are increasing at rates not seen for close to 70 years.  Food stamp recipients have doubled over the last two years and continue to rise.  Assistance for essentials like natural gas, electricity, and heating oil are at an all time high with most states already running out of assistance for those who qualify.  People who are actually food insecure is on the rise and currently reflects over 10% of the residents in my state.  So, when I say that the need is all around us – it truly is.  The story of Advent allows the actions of Mary, Joseph and Jesus to motivate us to (re)consider what we can do (in small yet practical ways) to assist those who are struggling through these difficult times. 

God Bless and Happy Advent

Merry Christmas

This week Heather and I took the girls for their first outing into New York City. It was a blast watching the girls take in all the sights and sounds that make New York, especially around Christmas, a really unique place to be. From the artistic store fronts lining 5th Avenue to the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center and all the Christmas shoppers in between…one could feel the spirit of the Christmas season. Everyone was looking for that “special” present to give to a friend or loved one.   And…upon reflection on the train ride home…isn’t that what Christmas is really all about?  The Gift!

You know the Bible talks about this GIFT in the New Testament. The book of Matthew (1:23) states, “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”–which means, “God with us.” And in John 3:16, the Bible says “For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

The greatest gift we have this season is the gift God gave to humanity – the gift of His son Jesus Christ.  It is in this example of self-giving that we are inspired to give gifts to others and to make our life a gift in service to those who are impoverished, destitute, or otherwise in need because of injustice(s) in our world.  This is the message of Advent – to be prepared, to receive, and to give.

It is in this context of giving that I write to you this day.  Recently, one of our community members approached us and asked if Compassion Corps, through our local food pantry initiative, could supply an extra 50 boxes of food (creating a full holiday meal) for 50 at risk children and their families from Fair Haven Middle School.  Without hesitation, we said yes without knowing where the additional finances or food would even come from.  After I made the commitment I sat back and said, “now how in the world do we fulfill this order and make good on our promise?”  I knew, being at the end of the year, that we had a bit left over in the budget to help in an emergency – but 50 boxes – this was a bigger emergency than I was even prepared for.

Upon reflection I remembered a promise God gave me when we started our work in New Haven.  I felt Him speaking to my heat one day, when we were trying to make sense of our organizations finances, when I heard Him say, “Eric…when you step out and DO the WORK that is right in front of you THEN I will supply the necessary resources to meet each need.”  It was in this moment of quiet reflection that I was encouraged and what followed was amazing.

Within 24 hours of saying YES we received enough money, from three different states, to cover our immediate expenses and fulfill the Holiday meal request.  Second, we cut a deal with a local grocer to give Compassion Corps a deep discount in quality staple and fresh food products so each family would be provided with a GREAT holiday meal.  Finally, friends within our community volunteered to help put each box together and deliver it on the Tuesday before Christmas.

It is amazing to me what God will do and what WE can do when we decide to give (sacrificially) and work together to benefit those who are struggling to survive.  This is what Christmas is all about.  The Gift!

Thanks be to God…

I was walking through the neighborhood last week with my daughter Evangeline on our way to a little play date with Eric and Heather’s girls.  When we turned the first corner on our way to their house, we came upon a neighbor who was visibly upset and looked as if she had spent the whole morning in tears.  We walked up and, giving a hug, asked what was wrong and was there anything we could do to help.  She proceeded to describe to me the situation she and her family found themselves in.

Let me relate it to you in a nutshell.

Our neighbor’s long-time boyfriend of 15+ years had lost his job in 2008 during the economic downturn and is still out of work.  He is receiving only a meager unemployment stipend.  Her son could find only minimal part-time work and was able to help out with family needs only enough to scratch the surface of the bills, mortgage, etc, that were piling up.  His girlfriend had moved in with them a number of months back in order to escape a very difficult family situation and just recently her sister had moved in and joined them for the same reason.  Both of these girls are out of work and unable to find anything of financial consequence to add to the household.  Our friend found herself the only one in a family of five that was able to find work in order to provide for her family and extended household.  She was utterly overwhelmed, feeling helpless, hopeless, worthless, and alone.

I began talking to her about the Fair Haven Food Pantry, and asked her if she would be interested in receiving food.  Immediately she started talking about her one experience with another food pantry in the neighborhood.  It was so embarrassing, she said.  I had to stand in line with all these people I didn’t know, getting food from people I didn’t know, and I just felt so worthless standing there.  Then I got home and I had to throw all the food out!  The bread was moldy, the food was old and nasty, some half opened, all of it unappetizing.

It was then that I realized how unique the mission and vision of Fair Haven Food Pantry really is.

Our friend’s story had a couple of key elements, which I would like to highlight for us. First of all, there can be a very real dehumanizing effect to charity, depending on the way that it is done.  Not to diminish the work of the food pantry that our friend had gone to – but it seems to me that the relational aspect of the Gospel was missing in their charity work; the part of the Gospel that imparts worth and value to the recipient instead of degrading them.  The part of charity that says, you are a child of the living God, and this is His tangible love for you.  Second, I saw that the food pantry was serving food that the givers themselves probably would not want to eat.  Again, Christ says to His children, Bring out the best wine, and the best my table has to offer.

Compassion Corps is striving to create a new kind of food pantry.

One that not only seeks to meet the physical needs of those we serve, but a food pantry that realizes that the food we give is only a doorway into much greater opportunities to serve, to love, and to speak hope and value to those that live in Fair Haven.  We are a relational, delivery based food pantry that is committed to providing food AT THE TIME OF NEED.  There is no standing in lines and there are no strangers.  And most important, on our end, there is an understanding that those we help are more than their hunger – our desire is to impart to each individual a greater understanding of their intrinsic worth as people, as friends, and as children of a loving God.  This message is just as important as the food that we distribute.

Help us to provide quality, staple food products and other high value items to those in need.  Visit us at www.compassioncorsponline.com and find out how you can host a food drive in your neighborhood.

Yeah…spring has finally arrived in Fairhaven, CT.  We have said good bye to old man winter and hello to the delightful spring / summer months.  With record snow fall, cold coastal winds and very short days many in the north east have been ready, for some time, to see the arrival of warm weather.  Our entire community is celebrating the return of warm weather, sunny skies and longer days.  People are out, ice cream stores are opening up once again and folks are sitting on the porch while the kids play in the streets.

The things I love about springtime are the “noises” I hear around my neighborhood.  Now – I have to admit that not all the noises in my neighborhood are necessarily pleasant…but they are our invitation to go, develop relationships, serve the community and most importantly to meet the physical / spiritual needs of our neighbors.

However,  after a long, cold winter getting out the door to purposfully serve our neighborhood on a regular basis has been hard.  And, upon reflection, I had this thought.

Sometimes…getting out the door is the hardest task to actually accomplish.  But – once we are out, engaging our neighbors, developing relationships, and meeting the “real” needs of people – you begin to sense [in your inner-being] the true meaning of life.  It is when we get outside our comfort zone(s) that we discover the true self, the meaning for which we were created, and just how easy it is to make a practical difference in the life of our neighbors.

See, it is when I am out the door and involved in the lives of my neighborhood / neighbors that I discover the person I have always wanted to be.  I am invigorated, set free, and energized like never before.  In addition, one quickly realizes, in this difficult economic climate, the extent to which your neighbors actually have a  need.  And what is required?  In many cases YOU can meet a need by simply donating your time, talents and energy.  Although financial support is sometimes needed, everyone [and I mean everyone] can give the gift of time.  All of us can work in our neighborhoods, assist our neighbors [esp. the elderly & children] or just make yourself available to listen.  Over the years I have discovered, no matter where you live, the need is great.

So, with the arrival of sunny days and warm weather – I hope you will join me in serving, loving and actively sharing the message of Christ with your neighbors.

If you are ever in our neighborhood and want to volunteer Compassion Corps has plenty of opportunities.  Come and visit our Calendar of Events and join our work.

Today is a holy day. It is the Christians opportunity to reflect on our Lord’s Last Supper. Traditionally, this Maundy (or Holy) Thursday solemnly commemorates the institution of the Eucharist (communion) and is the oldest of the observances peculiar to Holy Week. In addition, Christians are reminded of the ultimate humility & love of our Lord (through the washing of the disciples feet). Finally, Christ reminds us of His earthly end (the cross) and of his betrayal by Judas (one of His disciples).

I am blown away. His sacrificial life and death. His identification with humanity. His betrayal. His willingness to load our sin upon His body in order that we may have NEW LIFE (both earthly / eternal). His call for us to STOP and REMEMBER.

Matthew 26:26-29, “Now as they were eating, Jesus took the bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ And He took a cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.’”

Remember HIM today. And in remembering Him – don’t forget to think of others in special need (both spiritual & physical). Share HIS love! Freely we have received – freely give…