Volunteering as Spiritual Discipline
The Spirituality of Community Service
Service Learning as Thanksgiving
The earlier Creation Story in the Bible, placed in Genesis, chapter two and following, includes one of life's long-standing questions, asked by Cain after killing his younger brother, Abel: "Am I my brother's keeper?"
Cain's punishment clearly indicates that the answer is YES! And stories and teachings of the world's faith traditions and community histories repeat that answer; I hope we can assume it applies to both genders as well as to all people, regardless of whether we share the same parents!
We may act for another's benefit as a matter of keeping the faith and/or because it's virtually a requirement for enhancing community life and/or as a way of giving back to a community that supports us and/or as a matter of celebration and thanksgiving for our ability to do so! If I'm able to be of help to someone through the gift of time and talent, the reward is in the opportunity as well as in the accomplishment.
And usually, it's a win-win situation: another person benefits from my actions and I have the good feeling that nearly always comes from lending a helping hand.
What's to do? Volunteer opportunities abound! And they all count as valuable contributions to the health and welfare of individuals, the community, and often, the environment; they may be one-time events or on-going commitments. And our involvement may be as an individual or as part of a larger group, such as a congregation or a sports team or service club or just a few people looking for an assignment.
How many such opportunities can we name? Public schools or agencies or parks… Private individuals at home… Sr. residences and care facilities… Community agencies such as the Food Pantry, Clothes Closet, Housing and/or Meal programs, the Women's Center, Big Brothers-Big Sisters, Scouts or 4-H, Interfaith assistance… and religious organizations doing good things: child or adult day care, Salvation Army programs. And there are coordinating agencies that could also use the help: United Way and the local Volunteer Center, matching identified needs with willing volunteers!
If you're already experienced in volunteer service of some sort, or a newcomer to actually getting out there with a helping hand, please know that the community benefits from your gifts. Step up; give a call; don't be shy about asking questions about it; and don't put it off any longer….. oops, gotta go; I'm scheduled to give blood platelets in half an hour!
-Bill Humphreys, Carroll University Chaplain
-chaplain@carrollu.edu 262.524.7336
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