On December 23rd the 7th/8th grade along with some parents and siblings went to Northside Common Ministries. We met with Jay Poliziana the director and toured the facility. Northside Commons Ministries houses a shelter for homeless men, has one of the largest food pantries in the area and services hot meals to many of the poor in the area. They also provide doctor visits for those who have no insurance, help with getting GED’s, tax preparations and many other services.

I am so proud of my students and their families for coming and serving. We served by sorting clothes, helping with mailing and serving lunch. We brought desert and Amanda Jones (Savannah’s Mother) put together Christmas gifts for all and passed them out. Students and family were kind and respectful to everyone at the shelter and those at the shelter treated us the same.

This was not just a service project but a learning experience in our Catechism. Martin Luther teaches us the many gifts God has given us, and because of that, we surely ought to “Thank, Praise, Serve and Obey him”. So, one of the questions becomes “How do we serve God”?

Jesus tells us in Matthew 25: ” just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me”. Jesus makes it clear; we service him when we serve others. Those everyday opportunities to show kindness to others and help in any way we can, we are serving God. Mother Teresa says that when we see the face of the poor, we are looking at Jesus in disguise. These young people are understanding this, by showing the courage to step outside there comfort zone to serve others and be a witness for Christ.

Lennie Jansen