Messiness in the Community ~ Kim Keup

Staff, March 22, 2021

"Love each other with genuine affection, serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality." ~Romans 12:1-13

One year ago, the world shut down. Life as we knew it screeched to a sudden halt. We were told to shelter in place, practice social distancing 6 feet apart, and wear a mask. In the midst of all this, our neighborhood decided to decorate our windows with hearts. Neighbors took walks at different times to view the window art. One such art piece stuck out for me and is yet on my neighbor’s door, as my daughter had pointed the decorated door out last week. It is a clear cross made with window paint resembling stained glass. During March, we reached out to our neighbors, and those without technology and living alone, we checked in on a bit closer. We became a closer community navigating virtual school for what we thought to be a temporary 2 week solution and what was to become 12 weeks. As parents, we were deemed essential workers. We went to work, while our kids tried to stay on task with their virtual studies. We quickly interviewed a college student who assisted them until the end of the school year as she worked on her nursing studies. 

As the world stood still and I was called back to work as the lone nurse in the clinic, I looked at the neighbor’s door to find strength that Jesus had shown to us in the living flesh. Upon arriving at Children’s Hospital, on March 30th, we stood on a X taped to the floor 6 feet apart, waiting to have our temperatures checked. I had to answer a few questions before I could enter my work space. Due to restrictions, the reduced number of people working made it seem too quiet, almost eerie. I missed the hustle and bustle of a busy clinic with patients and families, providers, nurses, and medical assistants, a social worker and dietician all collaborating. I was searching and praying how to help when feeling helpless. 

I thank those in the UNITY congregation who sent us cards of encouragement, lit a candle for the healthcare workers, and felt the flood of prayers giving me courage to persevere. Do you see the word, “unity” inside our community? I think of our brothers and sisters in Christ from El Salvador. The member of our congregation had just completed another mission of healing February 2020. Now, we have this newfound connection with live-streaming on Facebook, sharing our faith from afar. 

Since December, I felt there was more I could do. I had received my first dose of vaccine and was feeling guilty that I qualified, but my parents had not. Fast forward to now, my parents had just received their 2nd doses. Within one week of another, both church and work had posted community needs. I reconnected with a nurse that I had travelled to El Salvador with 10 years ago. We were part of the UNITY volunteers vaccinating the people at the Bread of Healing and Cross Lutheran in Milwaukee County. Friends, go into the community and break that bubble.https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D4AACAB28A7FF2-bread

Almighty God, who gives and maintains life, provide us with the strength to conquer each day’s tasks. Make us brave, patient, and kind. Let us reflect your boundless love. Be near us always to guide and help us, to utilize our talents to serve those in need. Amen.