Viva TACO!!

Our annual President’s Circle Retreat took place earlier this month in San Diego, California. This event is always a highlight for me. It’s an opportunity for our donors to come together to be updated on the seeding work they are supporting, to grow personally by exploring topics of common interest, and to enjoy Christian fellowship anchored in devotion and prayer.

One of many highlights of this year’s retreat was worshipping with the family of believers at First Lutheran Church in San Diego. It was one of those times when the Scripture lessons seemed especially matched to the occasion. The New Testament lesson for the day was from Acts 4: All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. How wonderful it was to hear these words while in the midst of our retreat attendees. These inspiring people reflect the special qualities of our friends and donors - great generosity and willingness to serve and share freely of their time, talents and treasures in order to ensure that new ministries of health and hope are established that touch lives in Christ’s name.

The Gospel reading at First Lutheran was from John 19. Pastor Wilk Miller reminded us that this is always the Gospel reading on the Sunday after Easter. How interesting that so soon after the joyous celebration of Christ’s Easter victory we’re already reminded that doubt is so much a part of our lives as we read the story of the disciple known as “doubting Thomas.” Perhaps Thomas is a distant relative of mine as I can sure be a doubting Rick. Our Easter days at Wheat Ridge this year are filled to the brim with important work related to budget preparations and strategic planning. It’s so easy to let doubt get the best of me during times like these instead of trusting God’s promises and living the joy of Easter.

Rick Herman (right) with
Jim Lovell, Director, TACO

First Lutheran Church has a long history of serving the homeless and other “underserved” people in downtown San Diego. In the 1970s, First Lutheran was typical of many urban churches. Their membership was rapidly declining as people moved out of the downtown area. God’s Spirit led them to make a bold decision to serve the people who remained, no matter what their circumstances. Today, they provide meals for hundreds of people each month. Several years ago, they created the Third Avenue Charitable Organization (TACO) to expand their services to the homeless to include a wide variety of medical and legal services. They are led by an inspiring leader, Jim Lovell, who cares deeply about the welfare of people in the city.

Wheat Ridge has had the privilege of helping seed the work of TACO. Most recently, we provided a grant to pilot a wonderful program called Simon’s Walk. Imagine being a homeless person and, after visiting a free clinic or emergency room, you are told that you have an incurable disease and have only weeks or months to live. It’s very likely that you have no family or friends to rely on and to confide in as you contemplate the final days of your life and as you experience the pain and discomfort that often accompanies the dying process. There are many such people in downtown San Diego. Simon’s Walk trains volunteers who accompany homeless people along this difficult journey. The volunteer helps them experience the final days of life with dignity and helps them identify and access community services that are available to them. Word is put out on the street to friends and acquaintances who otherwise may not know that their friend is dying. After death, a memorial service is held at the church. More information about this beautiful ministry of care and compassion is available on the TACO website.

It must be very easy to doubt God’s presence when you are homeless and hungry. What a blessing it is that congregations like First Lutheran Church and organizations like TACO help people in these difficult circumstances “touch” the hands of Christ as they serve in His name. By doing so they are proclaiming the Good News that Christ is Risen! He is Risen, indeed. Hallelujah!