WITHIN THE JOHN STREET BRIDGE COMMUNITY
Over a lifetime we are blessed with profound moments of inspiration that feed our soul. At the beginning COVID, April Barron of Helping Hands, the Addiction and Recovery Ministry, and our Social Justice Ministry (through David Vita) joined forces to support people living with food scarcity. Since then, many of our congregants have prepared lunches… such as PB & J sandwiches, fruit, snacks, and drinks on a weekly basis. We have served over 30,000 lunches to communities in Bridgeport, including the community that gathers under the John Street Bridge.
One Sunday, a congregant delivering our lunches asked the young woman pictured here how she was doing. She had experienced a hard winter, she replied. This young woman offered a profound prayer of thanks for the blessings that come each week, tightly grasping the hand of our member. The young woman relayed that she had Healing Hands, offered quiet words of wisdom, and prayed over our member’s head. She speaks to God, she said. Our member and this young woman, as well as another member who was helping to serve, hugged in understanding of their shared humanity at that moment. And what do we have but this moment?
A few minutes later, the same young woman embraced a community member, a man, who was sitting on a baby stroller. This man had difficulty standing and walking because a medical condition caused pain in his feet. The baby stroller provided relief from weight-bearing. The young woman asked if she could massage his feet, explaining that she had Healing Hands. He chose vulnerability and trust in that moment. The spirit of humility and love hung in the air around them, and embraced all who witnessed their sharing.
Love and care extended!
Vulnerability!
Humility!
Generosity!
Reciprocity!
A Circle completed!