I have known that I would be lucky enough to join the service trip to New Orleans for several months now and it’s hard to believe we leave tomorrow. With helping to prepare and watching “When the Levees Broke”, this ethereal NOLA dream has slowly started to become a reality. I could not be more excited and am incredibly grateful for the chance to go.
I’ve seen many of my friends go for trips quite similar to that which we are about to embark on and though I’ve read stories and watched the news and documentaries on the storm and its aftermath, it’s clear that the perspective one gains from visiting and serving in the city is not replicable on the internet. There has not been a friend who has returned without an almost tangible sense of gratitude, humility and new perspective and I look forward to learning as they have.
Since I’ve never really seen a recovery process like this without the lens of media it’s hard for me to get a sense of what it is going to be like down there, but what I do know is that this is a rich opportunity in front of us. It’s chance to help the people of New Orleans, a chance to build relationships, and, most importantly, a chance to learn from their experience and what qualities have pulled them collectively and individually through such hardship.
This past Monday night, we had the privilege to share some food, drink, and traditions with some friends. We opened up the house and invited people to come by and join us in sharing how we express our gratitude. House friend Wayne Meisel provided some entertainment, with a viewing of a Charlie Brown Christmas and an insightful rendition of silent night by Simon and Garfunkel juxtaposed with the Evening News at the time. If you are interest in chiming in to the conversation that took place at the gathering of thanks, please, click on over to Discussions and Dinner.
This past weekend, Westminster Presbyterian hosted their 6th annual live nativity. The event brought together people from throughout Trenton in a moment of thanks, prayer and community. It was attended by over 100 people and by all measures was a success. We already can’t wait until next year!!!!
Welcome to our blog! We, the first residents of Bethany Presbyterian House of Hospitality in Trenton, New Jersey are excited to share our lives with you through this blog as we build our intentional Christian community. The four of us come from different walks of life and faith, and already we are learning from each other. We are grateful for the opportunity to be part of Bethany House and hope that the coming year will be one of great personal and communal growth.
We especially look forward to having a meaningful dialogue with you, our friends and family. At first we’ll be going back in time to detail our beginning, but soon we’ll be posting in real time. Please feel free to ask questions if there is anything in particular that you would like to know about Bethany House; we can’t promise to answer every question but will try to do our best.
This paper examines the connection between faith and service, specifically targeting why people of faith are so much more inclined to serve than those not of faith.
Why do you think this is the case? Is it because scripture compels people to serve? Is it because the type of person who opens their heart to god are wired that way? Is it because the opportunities are laid out more clearly through the organization of the church?
Please share your thoughts, your input is greatly valued and we hope to have a conversation with depth.
Bethany House of Hospitality 