Lenten Devotional by Joe Hudock
March 14, 2017
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” (Hebrews 10:24)
HELLO AND A GOOD, GOOD MORNING ALL!!!
Safe space, Brave space fits in rather nicely with what I would like to focus on this morning with you. I was a member at a church back in Harrisburg, Pa where I used to live. It is called Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church. It’s also called the “Beacon on the Hill” because it’s located in the Allison Hill section of town, which has commanding views overlooking the city of Harrisburg and of the Blue Mountain range directly to the north. It was once the place where all the movers and shakers of Harrisburg could be seen. That was the case for a good fifty years. From the 1920s until the early 1970s, Christ Lutheran was thriving. But, the demographics changed. The once exclusive section of the city is now home to one of the lowest per capita income areas of the state. It also has one of the largest immigrant communities in the state of Pennsylvania. Many different languages can be heard these days when you walk the streets now in Allison Hill.
Now what was the role of Christ Lutheran to be in the community with the demographics changing so dramatically? How could it survive as a church? How could it to continue to be the “Beacon on the Hill?”
In comes Pastor Jody Silliker—then a newly ordained pastor at the church—with a purpose for Christ Lutheran to keep open its doors.
Be a safe space for the immigrant community! Pastor Jody started a medical outreach program in the basement of the church twenty-five years ago. This is just what the community of Allison Hill needed to assist in helping members of the community who otherwise would slipped through the cracks trying to get the most basic of human services.
I feel so honored to know Pastor Jody Silliker! I cannot begin to tell you what Christ Lutheran and Heath Ministries mean to the community of Allison Hill. It is and always will be the “Beacon on the Hill.”
This is my Safe space, and Brave space.
God of love and caring, may we be beacons of your love and grace to one another.