I follow the local charity Helping Hands on Facebook. Below is a post from the Executive Director Carrie Hill Parker that is a balm to my soul after the events in Minneapolis, and the car accident in Lincoln that has affected so many in our congregation and community. I have read the post repeatedly, and saved it to refer to when I need the comfort it brings. I share it with you as a reminder and encouragement that in the midst of pain, grief and despair, good still happens. Acts of love continue in spite of everything, restoring hope and dignity. Though the brokenness of our world takes its toll, sometimes mightily, it is no match for the restorative power of love.

When you read “Helping Hands” in the post, pause each time for a moment and think of additional organizations and people who do the work of love. And include your own name, for all this happens as we work together as a community, taking turns to rest and then go again.

Peace to all of us. – Rev. Sara

“I forgot to post a Feel Good Friday at Helping Hands at First English yesterday, so let’s feel good today.  (About something.  Anything.  Please…)

These are the bags of groceries waiting to go out today, prepped with loving hands and hearts by our incredible volunteers.  We fed 363 people today. But we also gave out more hugs than I can count.  We took turns holding one another’s burdens, if even for a moment.  We helped a neighbor make a plan to find housing, helped another neighbor get a phone, provided follow through to acquire mental health care for another struggling neighbor, helped another neighbor get their laundry clean for an important appointment, and at the end of it all shared our extra produce with the mission. While it feels like the world is broken, like the disconnect and divisiveness could just about make you lose hope, at Helping Hands we keep putting our heads down and looking for more ways to love one another. We can all do this.

Thank God for Helping Hands and the people who make it go, and for every person and heart out there like it.  I wish there could be one on every block—what a different world it would be.”