Preparing to serve dinner

Preparing to serve a meal today (July 9) to about 60 folks at Love Kitchen.

Thoughts from Nick and Keating

Today my group went to West Side Campaign Against Hunger, which is a pantry that provides a bundle of incredible services for those in need. At first, we had an orientation around the pantry and were told that there was a point system for those getting food, and that they were able to get this food 3 times a month. Our first task was to cut bread, bag it, tie it and later put it on the shelves. This task turned out to be extremely tiring for those who cut the bread! (lucky for me I didn't have to cut it) After we had to bag radishes and arugula and put them on the shelves. After we stocked the shelves with a variety of beans and lentils. This is easier said than done, as there were more than 100 bags of each beans. Dr. Jay and I next put cans of peaches on the shelves as well as apple sauce. As this was going on the rest of the group was bagging and tying celery. We ate lunch after and talked to many important people that were employed at WSCAG and learned about the services that are provided including cell phones, meetings with doctors, clothes drives and the pantry as well. After we ate we stocked more beans and after we returned to YSOP. We met with the other groups and evaluated the day. Lastly we were asked questions and we answered with what we truly believed. No answer was a bad answer. After we returned [home] and later went to a great bagel shop for dinner!! Everyone was so tired that we opted out of going to town. Now everyone is sleeping besides Keating and I. 🐮

Wedenday, July 8. Group A "Keating's struggle"

After we left for Queens for the second time, we spent about an hour on the subways. Once we got

off, Keating took the map and started to guide us to Hour children (no typo) Unfortunately his 

navigation landed all of us in the hospital; because he had read the wrong address. A few minuets 

later we get to Hour children, which is a day care center for children whose mothers are incarcerated. 

The day care took in children for ages 3days to 4 years. Emmy and Olivia were put in charge of 

watching over 3 years olds, Nola watched over babies and Keating and I watched over the 

four year olds. The four year olds were doing yoga when we arrived. The preschool kids were taken 

to a play ground outside for 15 minuets. And the three year olds were outside for 1 hour. When we 

took the kids back inside we gave them lunch, a couple of the kids thought it would be hilarious to 

throw spoons at Keating (Emmy got a laugh out of that) When they finished lunch, we read books 

chosen by the kids for the kids. Soon after this we had to leave and when we got back, we all went to 

Thompson's square bagels for dinner. Keating got his bagel last.   Reflections penned by Michael Gore

Exhaustion

Jenna was exhausted and fell asleep.  They all tried to wake her up to no avail.

9/11 Memorial

It was very deeply meaningful to me as Pastor of First Church to spend some quiet momests at the Memorial that recalls the horror of terrorists acts which killed nearly 3,000 people on September 11, 2001.   The museum brought back very painful memories of the events that we witnessed, the fears about what was happening in our world, and the ways in  which so many people's faith was strengthened, their resolve made more firm, and their commitment to love and enjoy life as a precious gift of God.

I deliberately went to the marble slab on  the North Tower memorial which has Jean Roger's name on it.   I did not know her, of course.  But I sensed a powerful connection to her which drew me to stand silently and prayerfully touching her name.   Jean and I share a spiritual connection, as do each of you  who are reading this blog:  we are part of the same church family, we love one another and belong to one another.  

I hope we can all resolve to live each moment of every day fully with love and joy, making a difference in the lives of those around us, seeking to make the world a better place for all people.  That is one of the lessons that I am reminded about, as I remember the sudden and tragic deaths of those women and men and children.

Let us seek to live with all people in peace.   Dr Jay

Note from Dr. Jay on the 9/11 Memorial

We went Monday evening to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. I paused and prayed at two places remembering Jean Roger from our church membership who died as a flight attendant on one of the planes that were flown into the World Trade Center Towers.

I found Jean's photo in a hall filled with photos of all who died that horrible day.
Sad. So terribly sad.

The site of the North tower.

Sorting clothes, cooking dinner and cutting bread

 Sorting clothes.  Look at that huge pile!

 

Sorting games to play with our guests before dinner.

 

Cooking dinner for the homeless shelter guest dinner.

 

Cutting bread. 

These donations are sliced and bagged and folks 'shop' for them using a point system for purchases--- 300 or more families each day through The West Side Against Hunger over 44,000 households assisted each year!