Life's most important and urgent question is "what are you doing for others?"

—Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

One of my first jobs out of grad school was a program coordinator position with Chicago Cares, a non-profit organization that partnered with other non-profits to start programs and bring volunteers. I'll never forget that first MLK Day of Service. Hundreds of volunteers met in the United Center before being placed in buses to sites around Chicago. It was freezing, and I spent the morning loading buses with brown-bag lunches for the volunteers. Each person received a poster with that MLK quote on it. Mine is still framed and has sat in numerous offices and classrooms since then. And that question continues... what are we doing for others? 

It doesn't have to be a "big" or "grand" gesture. A simple smile (with your eyes if you have a mask on) suffices. A bit of grace when we're feeling particularly weary. A deep breath when you're feeling agitated. Speaking up for someone when you feel they are being treated with injustice. Being raised in the Catholic Church, we had to choose a Confirmation saint to study. Mine was St. Therese the Little Flower. What I loved the most about her was her belief that even doing the smallest task in love was enough to show our love for each other and thus, for God. 

Friends, even in the hardest times, there is beauty in the gift of service. May this continued time of "wintering" refocus and recharge us to do for others. 

God's peace be with you all, 
Sarah Swagler
Director of Youth Ministry