Dear Friends,

In sermons, newsletters, and conversations, I  have invited us to consider the ways that God is inviting us to fullfill our callings. Quite often, we use the term “call” to refer to those who are seeking ordination to the priesthood or the diaconate. But our Baptismal Covenant makes it clear that every Christian is called to seek and serve Christ. The church community is a place where we can discern our call, and at times there may be particular ministries of the church help us fulfill that call.

Alice Krapf receives a shovel from the grateful Board of the Mattapan Community Health Center

But God’s call can also be fulfilled in the vocations we choose (or to which we are called) beyond the walls of the church. I was powerfully reminded of that last night, when I attended the Annual Meeting of the Mattapan Community Health Center. There, the Board of Directors presented Alice Krapf with the Dr. Leon Hicks Exemplary Service Award. In her work as a consultant and project manager, Alice has been engaged for the last nine years with the Health Center, shepherding them through the design, financing,  and construction of a new $34 million facility in Mattapan Square. The deep appreciation, respect, and love that members of that community have for Alice was palpable. In addition, persons from past projects that Alice has worked on, including affordable housing developments, were there to express their gratitude. (And to top it off, Wednesday, October 16th was declared “Alice E. Krapf Day” in Boston by Mayor Tom Menino).

“Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?” That is one of the questions we are asked whenever we renew our baptismal vows. Alice’s particular work in the world provides a resounding “yes” to that question. Not every one of us can fulfill our call within the confines of our workplaces. But consider your call. How and where is God calling you? I would love to share in future newsletters, some of your  thoughts and reflections on how you are living out your call to be a disciple of Jesus Christ in the world.

Faithfully,

Tom