You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. –Deuteronomy 10:19
When Edwards Church first learned of the arrival of many new Framingham residents in the summer of 2023 they jumped in and tried to do what they could to help them feel welcome. We provided meals, a space for a lively dance event and meal, collected food and clothing, and a space for a couple of families to cook meals. One of the things greatly needed were ESL classes.
A friend and I approached Jewish Family Services with the offer to provide classes at the Residence Inn. They thought this was a good idea so we began. At first, we had quite a few people attend but the numbers started to dwindled as people got jobs or had other commitments. But, one young woman kept coming and I continued to teach her. Then SMOC took over the running of the Residence Inn and this young woman and I had to switch gears and I started teaching her in her room with the approval of SMOC.
During all this time, we were starting to become friends and I got to know and love her two little girls. Her English was steadily improving and we found that we were doing other things together like filling out applications for work and education opportunities for herself (she wants to continue her nursing education) and her little girls and celebrating Halloween at Unity Farm Sanctuary. Recently, she and her girls were moved to a shelter in Hudson when the Residence Inn closed but I continue to see her once a week.
We have become a small Beloved Community which I cherish and hope will continue.
Loving God, help us to recognize the opportunities to build Beloved Communities and thank you for the ones we are already building. Amen
Peggy Harrison