When someone says the word unhoused or homeless my mind quickly shifts to makeshift housing, starvation, and uncleanliness. And although poverty should never be romanticized, volunteering at the South Loop Community Table (SLCT) helped me see differently what it looks like to live without many material possessions. 

I will admit that I have often been wrapped up in harsh stereotyping, separating “us” from “them” when thinking about people caught in the gloomy, depressing systems of poverty. Maybe not looking down on “them,” instead feeling pity or a motivation for justice, but still recognizing that there are differences. 

Which led me to view service work as either a chore or a duty. When I participated with the HTLC youth group at the South Loop Community Table (SLCT) my view shifted. At a brief orientation explaining the services and overall mission, the leaders told us, “At this table we put community over charity.” And I think it's this thought that makes both the SLCT and general community service as a whole so meaningful. 

Kindness and community shouldn't have to be something that we are guilted into. It should be something that we celebrate and look forward to. I remember fondly talking to many different people there. It was quite honestly a lot of fun and felt no different then a conversation I might have with someone at school. I heard some of their life stories and was absolutely in awe over the pain and suffering that many had triumphed over. Not only this but the cheerful happy demeanor they greeted me with was incredible. I felt welcomed in their community and I wasn’t expecting that at all. 

I assumed I would be working in a kitchen separate from most others working to serve the meals. Instead I sat with others, people I had previously considered “them.” And as we ate food together, talked, and laughed, I enjoyed myself. Not because I thought I was saving someone from a cold hungry night and not because I felt like some fairy godmother. I enjoyed myself thanks to the human connections I made with the people I met. 

This was not a one sided event; people there were ready to offer up what they could even if that meant just a conversation, word of advice, or a simple smile. There was no “me” and there was no “them,” in that moment we were all one. Even though everyone participating in the meal would be returning to some different situations, the bottom line is that we were all just some hungry humans who wanted to share a good conversation over a good meal. 

It was an experience that helped to remind me that all stereotypes fail to yield anything helpful. We all carry the divine within us, and we all have something we can offer to make this world just a little bit better. 

I thank the congregation for continuing to support our youth group. It continues to be a wonderful way to explore my faith, spread love, and build community. I implore all of you to stay curious, spread love, and never forget we all get hungry and we all have a story to share.

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Ben Strickler is a sophomore at Lane Tech and is a member of the Lakeview Lutheran Parish Youth Group. You've probably seen him serve as a crucifer or banner bearer at HTLakeview. This summer, Ben is getting trained to join the HTLakeview Livestream Team. We're grateful for his heart for service and community.

Saturday, May 20, 5:00 p.m.

HTLoop (637 S. Dearborn)

Join the Liturgy Online:

(NEW ZOOM LINK)

Meeting ID: 200 920 453  Passcode: 068508

Repatriation with Seminarian Justin Carlson

Saturday, May 20 + 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 21, 9:30 a.m.

HTLakeview (1218 W. Addison)

Join the Liturgy Online:

For information on Holy Trinity's masking procedures, please visit our website at htchicago.org.

NEXT SUNDAY, is Pentecost. Wear red or a fiery color. If you are out of town, find a nearby church or join us online for the third major festival of the church year.

Repatriation: Returns and (Perhaps?) Repairs

• Saturday, May 20 + 6:15 p.m. (HTLoop)

Seminarian Justin Carlson is also interning with the Field Museum's repatriation program. At the Field Museum, the repatriation program helps communities reclaim sacred, ceremonial, and funerary objects and arranges for the proper care and disposition of human remains. Hear about the legal landscape and current controversies; look behind-the-scenes at what's involved in bringing items and people home; and engage in conversation about the place of justice and religious understanding in a secular educational institution. 

Kids Night Out (KNO)

• Saturday, May 20 + 4:00 p.m

Ms. Audrey and Ms. Annika provide a safe and fun place for children to play, craft, eat a meal and enjoy each other's company. Parents can use the 4 hours of free time to do whatever they wish; some go out on dates others go home and take naps. It's up to you.

Email Pastor Sevig no later than Thursday, May 18 if your family would like to sign up for May KNO.

This is the last KNO of the school year. We go on summer break until September. We're grateful for the ministry of hospitality and building the community of children here at Holy Trinity that Ms. Audrey and Ms. Annika engage in.

Baptism Party & Last Day of Sunday School

On May 21st two of our students, Henry and Addi, will be baptized during the liturgy at 9:30 a.m. Afterwards we are having a BAPTISM PARTY upstairs.

What exactly will we do for a baptism party? Play games, eat cake, sing songs, and celebrate our own baptisms. Bring a photo of your child's baptism day for show and tell. Bring a photo from your baptism day if you can. Let's celebrate the gift given to Henry and Addi, and the gift given to each of us on the day of our baptisms. It'll be fun! 

May 21st is also the final day of Sunday school for the year, so it can be our end of year celebration too. Looking forward to being with you all. 

Click on the title of the event for more information and visit our website for more events.

Kids Night Out (KNO)

Saturday, May 20 + 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Repatriation with Seminarian Justin Carlson

Saturday, May 20 + 6:00 p.m. (HTLoop)

• Zoom Information
• MEETING ID: 832 1918 9960  PASSCODE: HTLC

Baptism Party & Last Day of Sunday School Party

Sunday, May 21 + 10:45 a.m.

Fibre Arts Group

Tuesday, May 23 + 7:30 p.m. (Zoom)

Wednesday Morning Eucharist

Wednesday, May 24 + 9:30 a.m.

Want to experience a Jewish, Muslim, or Hindu worship service in Fall 2023? Read More.

The Ache that Binds Us - Pr. Craig Mueller

In our aches, what we long for is encouragement. A sense of belonging. The assurance that we will be okay.

Surprisingly, one of the greats aches of our times is loneliness. Who would have thought after the explosion of social media over a decade ago, we feel more alienated and disconnected to each other.

PRAYERS for those ill, or with special needs or circumstances:

• The Holy Trinity call committee.
• For an end to gun violence.
• For the people of Turkey, Syria, and Ukraine.
• Horst and Lynne Wenz, parents of Cindy Smith, as they go through some transitions.
• Kim Duffy as she grieves the death of her father, Keith Becker.
• The Ploger/Kleish families.
• Kory Woods who is recovering from back surgery.
• Peter Conway, Lauren's father.

If you would like to be included on the prayer list please contact Pastor Sevig. Prayer requests remain on the list for four weeks before being removed, and requests can be renewed as often as needed.