Community Engagement Review: Faith Through Service, Finding Strength and Courage within Community

When my mom died a couple of years ago, Reverend James Lyons became a big part of my journey of faith. He's a pastor at Adelphi Bible Baptist Church and one of the chaplains I leaned on during her last difficult months. Reverend Lyons has this huge smile, a voice that I think God must have, and a way of making you feel better just by being in his presence.

He reminded me that no one is meant to endure tough times alone, and that God's love doesn't require us to be infallible or to deny our feelings of despair, anger, or weariness. He suggested I read "Jesus Calling," and I turned to the January 12 passage—my mom's birthday. The verse read: “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.'" —Exodus 33:14

I have to admit, just reading this didn't solve everything. And I wasn't exactly thinking that God had all the answers. As a matter of fact, I was pretty sure God was a lousy planner. But one day, I found my way to St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Bethesda, and over the months that followed, I gradually began to feel like all my questions weren't so odd. And even if I didn't believe everything I read, I found courage, comfort, and peace in realizing that faith means sometimes not understanding everything.

Over time, I discovered not only rest, but restoration. I've now been at St. Luke's a couple of years, and I've found a place where I can channel my energy into service, even when I'm still a little mad at God. Thank you, Reverend Jessica, for reminding me that you can be mad at God, but never stop talking.

This journey led me to Community Engagement with Peter Stelnyk, who is beyond organized, thoughtful, and simply gets things done. I've found a way to channel my energy—fueled by anger, anxiety, or angst about our world—into meaningful work.

This January through April, Community Engagement is focusing on our Basic Needs Cluster, supporting organizations that provide food, shelter, and essential services to our neighbors in need. By now, you've probably seen our banner and the calendar. This work matters, and we are making a difference.

Our community survey revealed that St. Luke's is a parish filled with doers—people who also want to be strategic and understand how we're maximizing our impact. This year, we'll provide metrics on food collected and resources allocated, though so much good work happens quietly throughout our parish.

The roster of quiet servants in our parish is truly inspiring. Whether it's Mary and Meg with Bethesda Help, Amanda with Cornerstone, Clay with Bethesda Cares, Jack with Good Samaritan Ministries, Marta doing the countless things she does, Dana's quiet work supporting the Azizi family, Patrick focused on everything from international relief to environmental efforts, or Bill who digs trenches, builds shelving, rewires lighting, and oversees construction—Peter and I are inspired by what our fellow St. Lukers accomplish. I know many others do work we never see, as reflected in the parish's discretionary donations, which average 3-4X those budgeted.

This season, when we make announcements about our work, we'll have speakers from the charitable organizations St. Luke's supports explain the need and impact of our donations. Please join us if something touches your heart. And if you're already serving in ways we haven't mentioned, please let us know—we don't want to overwhelm anyone whose plate is already full! Please know that there is power, healing, and grace in using your talents to do good. Here's something my friend and co-chair Peter found that inspires me.

John 3:18: "Let us love not in word or speech but in action and truth."

Or, as my dad, a very secular Jew, would say: God doesn't expect you to fix everything, but do what you can and have fun doing it!

Peace, 

Irene