Wednesday, October 15, 2008
One of my favorite stops on a recent trip to New York City was St. Paul’s Chapel, which is located right across the street from the World Trade Center site. For eights months after the tragic terrorist attack, this little Episcopal church was home to an impressive volunteer relief effort. Hundreds of volunteers worked around the clock making beds, counseling, serving food, and praying with fire fighters, police, and others who aided in the rescue efforts. The church has recently opened an exhibit called Unwavering Spirit that chronicles that history of St. Paul’s unique volunteer ministry in the weeks and months following September 11th. I remember visiting the church in the spring of the next year and was moved by the many loving memorials that surrounded the church. Banners, wreaths, teddy bears, letters, and many other items filled the iron fence surrounding the church. Now the church has displayed many artifacts sent by strangers from diverse backgrounds and faiths.
Aptly titled Unwavering Spirit: Hope and Healing at Ground Zero, the exhibit demonstrates the steady resolve of thousands of people who reached out in love to both those who were hurting and those who were helping. Isn’t that what Christ expects of all of us? He wants us to reach out to a hurting world and offer love and compassion.
Let’s think today about tangible ways we can express the love of God. What comfort a note of encouragement, a prepared meal, or a kind word can bring to a troubled friend. Consider a random act of kindness for an unsuspecting stranger. A loved one may need to hear a word of praise. Or a co-worker could feel a special boost with a pat on the back. In other words, let’s be ministers with an unwavering spirit in Jesus’ name.
If anyone ministers; let him do it as with the ability which God supplies.
1 Peter 4:11
The 9/11 rescue and recovery volunteers were surrounded by a fence filled with expressions of love; let’s surround our brothers and sisters with expressions of love.
Aptly titled Unwavering Spirit: Hope and Healing at Ground Zero, the exhibit demonstrates the steady resolve of thousands of people who reached out in love to both those who were hurting and those who were helping. Isn’t that what Christ expects of all of us? He wants us to reach out to a hurting world and offer love and compassion.
Let’s think today about tangible ways we can express the love of God. What comfort a note of encouragement, a prepared meal, or a kind word can bring to a troubled friend. Consider a random act of kindness for an unsuspecting stranger. A loved one may need to hear a word of praise. Or a co-worker could feel a special boost with a pat on the back. In other words, let’s be ministers with an unwavering spirit in Jesus’ name.
If anyone ministers; let him do it as with the ability which God supplies.
1 Peter 4:11
The 9/11 rescue and recovery volunteers were surrounded by a fence filled with expressions of love; let’s surround our brothers and sisters with expressions of love.
To browse the artifacts or view the chronology of St Paul’s, visit their website at http://www.saintpaulschapel.org/pyv/.
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