Tabitha is the person who quietly touches people: here a phone call, there an invitation for a quick drink, just to listen.  In her spare time, Tabitha's fitting in an errand for a friend, driving to the wake to pay respects, dropping by to see how someone is, helping with the coat drive.

 

Tabitha never thinks of her paid job as a "ministry," but it is. A church's "education ministry," for example, is far more than the church volunteers who help in an afterschool program, or advocate for kids before the City Council. It also is the daily paid work of all who are teachers: in nursery schools and universities, in programs serving the impoverished and elite private schools.  In one of my favorite church memories, "teachers" met each month over dinner, reading a little bit of scripture. One month someone noticed that in John's resurrection story, Mary recognizes the risen Jesus only after he calls her name: "Mary."  Soon stories flowed: about the power of being known by name, and how hard they as teachers worked to know their students' names, too.  Were they ministering, when they did this? Was their work "ministry"?

 

Have you met Tabitha?  Might you be she? On Sunday I'll share some stories, from King's Chapel, past and present.

The Walk begins at 8 AM at Field's Corner in Dorchester, for those who want to walk 6.7 miles to City Hall Plaza. Most of us will gather together for the 3.2 mile leg of the walk at 9:45 AM, which meets at 75 Malcolm X Blvd Madison Park High School in Roxbury. After gathering at City Hall Plaza, we will proceed to King's Chapel for the 11 AM service.  For questions, contact Carol Genovese: [email protected].

Why Do We Walk?

We walk to show we care for the mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, grandparents, family, and friend of those who have suffered unspeakable loss through violence and murder. These are OUR brothers and sisters.  We walk to support the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute in the work they have done and continue to do to provide ongoing healing and support to these families:

• In their immediate help and ongoing love and care over the long term that helps them transfer power and pain to power and action.
• In healing programs at the Institute and for children in the community, in work with teachers and schools, and in healing and peace building programs that are used in schools, hospitals, prisons, churches, and other organizations.
• In their restorative justice work with offenders and their families to help them in prison, and some who re-enter the community so they can be supported through the process.
• In providing financial help for the burial of loved ones as needed through their Rest in Peace Fund.

The Louis D. Brown Peace Institute works in many other ways to build peace, love, and connections in our communities. This is our opportunity to help in this work. See their website for more information.

Register now to Walk and/or Donate with the King's Chapel Team here. All sizes of donation are welcome!  Our King's Chapel Community Action Committee will match our donations to $1,000. All walkers must register and sign the waiver. Invite your friends to join us!