A Meaningful Day!
Starting Thursday January 19th a new ministry will begin at Alpine Lutheran Church. We are partnering with Mosaic to begin A Meaningful Day – a ministry where we as a church accompany the residents of Mosaic on a planned activity that helps all of us to experience a meaningful day. Mosaic is a ministry that provides housing and care to adults with developmental challenges. We encourage the people of Alpine Lutheran Church to spend the day (every Thursday from 9:00 AM -2: PM) with the residents of Mosaic in this grace filled chance to enjoy life together. Nothing is required except that you come ready to participate in that day’s activities.
Why is this such an important ministry? Let me use the words of Henri Nouwen to explain. Nouwen was a catholic priest and author who spent the last portion of his life serving at L’Arche Daybreak Community (a center/home for adults with developmental challenges). Through serving, Nouwen discovered many key concepts to living a spiritual life. Among them:
“Our humanity comes to its fullest bloom in giving. We become beautiful people when we give whatever we can give: a smile, a handshake, a kiss, an embrace, a word of love, a present, a part of our life…all of our life.”
“The real trap, however, is self-rejection. As soon as someone accuses me or criticizes me, as soon as I am rejected, left alone, or abandoned, I find myself thinking, “Well, that proves once again that I am a nobody.” … [My dark side says,] I am no good… I deserve to be pushed aside, forgotten, rejected, and abandoned. Self-rejection is the greatest enemy of the spiritual life because it contradicts the sacred voice that calls us the “Beloved.” Being the Beloved constitutes the core truth of our existence.” (Henri J.M. Nouwen, Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World)
One of the greatest gifts in life he received was the ability to love himself. He received this when through his relationships at L’Arche he was able to put aside self-rejection and accept himself for who he was. Too often we very easily dismiss so many adults that we feel have nothing to offer us. Our new ministry with Mosaic is an opportunity to learn that this is not only untrue but a great waste on our part.
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